Thread: Real Dovo or Fake?

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

That blade looks a lot like a Double Arrow...

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!

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).

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.

As nice as it is to get a new razor, I honestly feel you would do much better with the classifieds. There are many vintage blades out there that are much better quality for the same price or cheaper.

Originally Posted by khaos

As nice as it is to get a new razor, I honestly feel you would do much better with the classifieds. There are many vintage blades out there that are much better quality for the same price or cheaper.

KHAOS - I complete acknowledge that the SRP classifieds may be the ideal place to find a good razor at a reasonable price. My concern right now is that I have already gone that route, and purchased a razor from a SRP member, only to have a shop that *I believe* to be reputable (Russ Cutlery) tell me that razor is junk. I then tried the opposite approach, to look at a razor that the shop says is quality, and I have found a mixed response from the SRP forum as to whether the blade the shop reccomended is even a Dovo, and whether it is good quality, or junk.

DOVO?
- Yes: John Crowley
- No: JimmyHAD, Croaker, keenedge, aroliver59, BKratchmer, AlanII
- Uncertain/Can't Tell: Bruce, JMS, khaos, Proraso Man, ignatz

It's like I can't seem to get a consencus on a good quality, reasonably priced straight razor no matter what I do!


I look forward to reading everyone's additional thoughts, particularly those of John Crowley, since it sounds like he knows quite a bit about this specific razor and also about Russ Cutlery. I want to again re-state that my only objective here is to find a good quality, reasonably priced straight razor. I do not want to "drag anyone through the mud" or give anyone a bad name. That being said, I do think it's fair to get expert 3rd party feedback from the SRP forum to help me find a razor that is good quality, that I can use for years. Thanks again for everyone's continued feedback on this - I am hoping we can get a consensus on things!

Ok, did I get this correctly after reading this entire thread:

If I take a SR to Ross Cutlery to be honed, they will do a good job? That Al and Richard at Ross Cutlery are truly skilled "honemisters?"

I'm a Dovo dealer so I hope this helps a bit.

1. ALL Dovos have the words 'Dovo Solingen', 'Dovo stainless', 'Bismarck' or 'Meister Merton's' (model 1885685 Renaissance) on the front side of the tang, except the 3580 model Bergischer Lowe, which has that phrase, complete with the lion rampant shield, on the blade. NONE have the word 'Solingen' on the scales in the typeface of the razor above, though some have the word 'Dovo' with the word 'Solingen' impressed in the underlining of the word. The Renaissance has the word 'Solingen' (with the authentic curling 'g') complete with the anchor and crossed swords with coronet above, which are the arms of Solingen (the 'man in apron with hammer' is Dovo's logo).

Also, Dovo razors are supplied either in a blue metal box with the Dovo seal on it (gold seal for carbon blades, silver seal for stainless) or branded plastic boxes or heavy card boxes for the 'Bismarck' models.

If a razor doesn't have one of the above it is not a Dovo - certainy not one in production today.