Thread: Real Dovo or Fake?

I do want to say its probably not pakistani. Its clearly stamped Solingen, and there are a few blades that say only Solingen without a manufacture that reputable sellers stock. The main one that comes to mind is stamped something like, Inox-RostFrei Solingen Eishartung which is not a brand (though some people incorrectly list it as an "Eishartung", which is germany for cryo tempered- Ice/Eis Hardened/Hartung) switchblade, scissors, swords, automatic knives, straight razor, woodworking chisels.... (I know knifeshop isn't necessarily reputable I couldn't find the one I was thinking of)
I bet its a solingen blade, just a second or no-name or made by an apprentice or journeyman instead of a master or something like that.
As a matter of point, not all Dovo's have marked scales, especially not the lower end ones. DOVO Straight Razors

I bet the shave ready sticker was put on by the shop's "honemeister". Lol.

All that said, do not pay $60 for that. Of the current 10 blades I have, only one has cost more than $50- a dubl duck Goldedge.

Can be a Solingen, but i'm not sure.
A good point is to ask the seller, if it's a new blade, or a NOS (New Old Stock). From the scales, and the blade it looks like it was made in the '50-s or 60'-s.
Nowadays Dovo, and other Solingen manufacturers make a bit different blades.

Another good point is to ask how it was made "Shave Readey"-as the sticker says.

If it was made by the shop "honemeister", they probably have information about it.

Note: Razors, that come from the factory are not shave ready, only if You ask for a honing.

A good test is the TPT (Thumb Pad Test). You find some info about it, when You go for a search on this site. - But anyway, it's not 100% safe either! Only a shave is the ultimate test!

The workmanship (or lack of) certainly speaks against it being a Dovo. What does it say on the other side of the tang? I know you don't want to conflate the two issues, but is there any chance of a picture of the razor that you acquired from this site? I only ask because the shop seems pretty emphatic in its judgement that that one's not good and if we could have a look at it it may give us a good clue as to whether their judgement is worth a fig.

What worries me about the razor is the two different sets of pins at either end of the scales.

This would suggest either (A) an older razor which was rehafted when the original scales gave out, or else (B) someone using a set of legitimate scales to go with an otherwise less-than-pedigree blade.

And, yes, I would also like to see the front side of the tang to see what maker's mark is stamped in there (if any).

That is an older model Dovo that Ross Cutlery has had in stock for a long time. Ross Cutlery is a very reputable firm. When this kind of thought crosses your mind ask yourself, "Would someone take the time to counterfit a Yugo"?

Originally Posted by JMS

Are those pics from Ross Cutlery? If not it may not be a fraud but the misspelling on the shave ready sticker suggests otherwise

Some of us aren't the perfect spellers that others think they are. Remember Vice President Dan Quale, former Senator from Indiana and a lawyer thought potato was spelled potatoe.

On the spelling thing, I thought it was actually quite a common thing to find less than perfect spelling and stamping and such. Like a member here received a CURRENT PRODUCTION Dovo Special (normally carbon steel) stamped stainless- from SRD none the less. So the craftsmen all missed it, the ladies doing the wrapping missed it, the distributor missed it, Lynn and Don missed it (though they definitely were willing to make an exchange if the fellow wanted to return it- no bad bussiness on their part) so its possible that the misspelling on a sticker is innocent. No one from Dovo through SRD wanted to cheat anyone. It was a mistake.

Originally Posted by Bruce

SoCal,

I couldn't see any photos of the other side of the blade which may have been able to clear up some issues. I have a razor very like the one you show but on the un-shown side of the blade it is stamped with DOVO SOLINGEN, made in Germany, with a logo of a figure within a circle, wearing a short smock, brandishing a dagger and a spatula-like broad, short bladed gizmo. The blade is also etched with Solingen Best Quality. It would have helped were you to have shown both sides of the blade and shank. As it is, one can only give half a guess.

And my guess is maybe yes, maybe no.

Thanks everyone for your advice on this!

To address Bruce's question, there is nothing on the reverse side of the blade (just shiny metal).

Originally Posted by JMS

Are those pics from Ross Cutlery? If not it may not be a fraud but the misspelling on the shave ready sticker suggests otherwise

Yes, the pics are taken of the SR Ross Cutlery has for sale. Sorry for crummy photo quality, I used my phone's camera.

Originally Posted by ignatz

What worries me about the razor is the two different sets of pins at either end of the scales.

This would suggest either (A) an older razor which was rehafted when the original scales gave out, or else (B) someone using a set of legitimate scales to go with an otherwise less-than-pedigree blade.

And, yes, I would also like to see the front side of the tang to see what maker's mark is stamped in there (if any).

Thanks for the great input IGNATZ. To answer your questions, there is nothing printed on the other side of the tang.