Quote Originally Posted by BeBerlin View Post
Interesting remark. I can see at least 4 flaws on this razor. Now let me see... The Dovo "Best Quality" is approx USD 30 more. Taking into account Dovo's near impeccable QA track record, and their high quality scales, I would always go for the Dovo - if I wanted a new razor.

Don't get me wrong, chaps: if you're happy with your Chinese razors, that's great. However, there is an alarming amount of people reporting badly ground Chinese razors, and that is never a good thing. Especially if a number of beginners starts running around in this forum, claiming that these razors are the best value a beginner can get. Because they are not. Any decent vintage Solingen razor will out shave and out perform them, and yet there are always a few of those available in the classifieds for the same money or less than one of the Chinese razors.

Regards,
Robin
Just to compare apples to apples here.


I have posted this before, and I'll post it again. A year or so back I purchased a brandy new Dovo SS pearlex (~$150) from a highly regarded vendor. Looked great. Blade was warped. Sent it back.Recieved another brandy new Dovo SS pearlex, same warp, same side. Sent it back, and discussed with teh vendor. We decided to try a brandy new Dovo SS Ebony....guess what? Same warp, same side...

Take a peek, they all looked exactly like this. Only making contact at toe and heel on this side, and the reverse on the other side.


That's three new Dovos with exactly the same glaring flaw. The vendor and I agreed to call it quites after that, as he was paying way too much for shipping those things back and forth....

I ended up getting a vintage Dovo SS #41 of of EBay, and it's a great shaver, with a perfect blade (razor was originally purchased in 2001)


I have NEVER had a GD/DA with a bent/warped blade as of yet.

Same test on a DA, fresh out of the box:


In need of some smoothing out near the heel? Yes.

A tang that is not aligned with the main body of the blade? Yes

A grotesquely huge shoulder stabilizer? Yes.

Fit and finish a bit rough? Yes.

All of those are fixable. A warped blade is not.



So, here is my real world experience, not hearsay:
I've honed up about 50 GD/DAs so far. One I was not able to get shave ready (not due to warpage, it just wouldn't take an edge). Failure rate: 2%

I had 4 Dovo #41 SS razors. 3 out of the 4 were warped, and unhonable. Failure rate 75%

I'm not saying that overall Dovo has a 75% failure rate, but for me it sure did. I bring it up as a counterpoint to the idea that "made in Germany" means that it must be perfect, and "made in China" means that it must be caa-caa. I certainly have Solingen blades that are remarkably crafted.


I have also posted images of the edges capable on these razors compared to edges from reputable Solingen/Sheffield razors, which is about the only objective way I can think of to make such a comparrison. Nobody can pick one out of the lineup.


I must say that I enjoy the passion that we all have for our razors, let's keep the passion focused on the razors, not getting upset with each other.