Thread: Received my First Dovo Inox!!

Ok, tried to improve the blade.

about 80 on the shapton glass 16k
100 on the diamond paste
80 on the crox.
50 linen and 100 leather strops.

Perhaps some improvement, but not by much.

I'm curious about the difference in the hardness between this Dovo Stainless and the "Ice hardened" ones? Anyone know on the hardness scale?

Way too many laps on all of the tools you used. Congrats on your score! SOunds like you need to go back down to the 4k and work your way back up. The blade should be sharp after the 4k or what ever hone you start with. Everything after that is just polishing the edge and smoothing out the shave. CrOx and diamond past/spray should be 10 or less laps. Don't go by lap counts, go by results of your work. Be sure the entire edge is at the optimum level before moving to the next tool.

Good luck!

How do you tell the edge is at optimum level at each step?

Originally Posted by Joed

Way too many laps on all of the tools you used. Congrats on your score! SOunds like you need to go back down to the 4k and work your way back up. The blade should be sharp after the 4k or what ever hone you start with. Everything after that is just polishing the edge and smoothing out the shave. CrOx and diamond past/spray should be 10 or less laps. Don't go by lap counts, go by results of your work. Be sure the entire edge is at the optimum level before moving to the next tool.

Good luck!

There is some information on honing and honing tests in the wiki which is good for reference. Setting the bevel the TNT only to see that you are getting an edge over the entire length. This test may cause some microscopic damage so be sure to give it a few more circles/laps after the test. From there some people use the TPT or arm hair test. I use the arm hair test. In this test some people look to pop arm hairs. I look for them to drop on the spot over the entire length. Each of thee tests will need to be calibrated for your use or hair. This is where people say that it takes 100's/1000's of razors to be a master honer. Pay close attention to the results you get with your tests and the end results. Be patient. If you don't get to where you want to be on the hone in use you will need to do much more work on the next hone to get there.

Jeff, I have a 105 also - thought it was inox, but maybe not. 'Was a first blade, bought 'cause of the eye candy of the etching, the figuring in the micarta, and because the beefier scales felt better in my large hands. I had trouble while learning w/ it's flexure, but when I learned more, it shaved better - go figure.

I'm wading through the learning curve w/ an N-asagi. That stone turned this Dovo into an incredible shaver. The prices seem to have dropped, and I remember one vid referring to it as an 'unremarkable' razor - but I think you'll find it pleasing. 'Wish it were heavier - particularly in the shank (again, big hands), but I wish that also for my Fluid Steel Genco, and it's also an outrageous shaver.

'Hope you enjoy for a long time. .

I am a newbie to straight shaving and am awiating my Dovo Inox, the one with the ice swirls. Heard that stainless blades make for harder work in keeping them sharp but once sharp stay that way longer which i figured would be a good idea as a beginner so I do not have to learn honing so fast. I hope I got a good blade and would be curious to hear how other users feel about the Dovo Inox. Is this a blade I will be happy with for some time or is it something I will want to upgrade once I get better?

I bought it from Straight Razor Designs and so it should be honed by Lynn and I also get a second free honing. About how many shaves are gotten between honings? IE how long do I get before having to get serious about learning that as well?

I personally don't know how many shaves between honing but have read that others get around 3 months worth of shaves baring any damage. If you are only using one or a few razors you should be able to extend the time between honing with CrOx or diamond spray/paste on leather, canvas, hard felt or balsa wood. Again, if you are only working with one to a few razors a barber's hone is all that would be needed for a long time. With a Barber's hone a few laps is all that is needed. If you have money to burn or are just interested in the honing journey you can get into the Norton, Naniwa, Shapton and or other hones.