Thread: Shave ready AOS DOVO?

AOS razors aren't shave ready. Like you, I found out the hard way. My girlfriend got me a DOVO for Christmas as well, once you get it sharpened, you'll love it.

I watched a video of the DOVO factory and the making of their razors. Why does the video make it seem as though they go through professional honing? They even show a woman hand testing each razor by slicing a synthetic hair after their honing process is complete.

Is this just an easy way to make them seem like good razors or does the fact that they may sit in a warehouse somewhere slightly dull them over time?

They probably put extra care into the high end razors and hone all of them enough to shave, but what we like to call shave ready is really several notches above what factories call shave ready. Plus could you imagine if you got a razor that had some visible hone wear? a good bevel setting and you will be able to tell that the razor has been honed unless they tape the spine... anyway just saying.

Well, my supplies arrived from SRD yesterday so after I tucked the kids into bed, I took some me-time and shaved with the new Boker I bought. Interestingly, the problems I was having with the Dovo also appeared with the Boker, so guess what? It's not the razor (though I'm glad Lynn will be giving the Dovo and even better edge) as much as it's my technique.

The good news is that I came away without any nicks on my dominant side, where I've managed to shave the cheek almost all the way to my goatee and then about 2/3 of the neck on that side, all WTG only. Not brave enough to turn the razor over just yet. Shave wasn't exceptionally close, so I need to keep playing with blade angles and such. Any other pointers?

Confession: I got over-confident and tried to shave my neck on the non-dominant side with the straight too. Nicked myself but good in 3 places and didn't feel any of them, just saw the blood. Won't try that again for a while.

Oh, I didn't strop the blade, lest my beginning stropping technique remove some of the edge that new blade had. I did strop afterwards, partly to help dry the blade, partly to (I hope) re-freshen the edge for its next use.

Prep: Hot towel x 2 (using tap water, which in my current home isn't all that steaming hot), AOS pre-shave oil
Soap: AOS Sandalwood cream
Brush: AOS badger
Razor: Boker Tree Brand (a 5-blade cartridge for the rest of the first pass and all of the second)
AS: Alum block, cold water, AOS Sandalwood balm

Guess where my wife did my Christmas shopping this year? ;-)

My wife gifted me a AOS Dovo Special a few years ago that despite being advertised as "pre-sharpened" was dull as a spoon.

I just had a brand new AOS Dovo come my way (looks to me like the classic black, but I'm not 100% sure). It looks the same to me as any other Dovo straight from the factory - it is not shave ready, but probably can probably start at the 5k (as if the bevel is set) and then up through the progression. Note it does not have the sticky sharp feeling of a set bevel, but starting at the 5k still usually works.

Okay...

I went to AoS in Denver today and the store manager let me have at his collection of straights, DEs, brushes and whatnot.

I was not allowed to try any of the straights as for sanitary reasons to any of his clients. No, I'm not dirty, it's store policy. So, I tried the thumb pad test and looked at through my magnifier. Yes, the Dovo's are factory sharp but no shave ready. When I explained to the store manager what shave ready was he simply said, the company buys them as pre-sharpened, meaning factory sharp and are required to sell it that way.

There ya have it folks. If you buy a Dovo from AoS have it professionally honed before using... unless you prefer punishment.

Originally Posted by Wortmanb

I'm thinking of giving my face a week off to heal before I try again. Any downside to waiting that long? I've got some bumps on my neck that I'd like to go down before using the new (from SRD) razor.

Shout out to Ashburn from Alexandria!

If I were you, I would pay great attention to face prep. I'm using Taylor of Old Bond Street shave cream in a jar. I use really hot water on my face. Same on the brush. (Be sure to soak the brush a while first.)

Then, a couple of daubs of the soap, and work it up on your face. Around and around and around. Keep adding more hot water to the brush. Don't let the soap dry out. I think you'll see this approach will limit tugging quite a bit.

Also, blade angle should be LOW to your face, even around curves!

Hey there! I'm in Fairfax, just down the street. Stop by anytime.

Originally Posted by Wortmanb

Well, my supplies arrived from SRD yesterday so after I tucked the kids into bed, I took some me-time and shaved with the new Boker I bought. Interestingly, the problems I was having with the Dovo also appeared with the Boker, so guess what? It's not the razor (though I'm glad Lynn will be giving the Dovo and even better edge) as much as it's my technique.

The good news is that I came away without any nicks on my dominant side, where I've managed to shave the cheek almost all the way to my goatee and then about 2/3 of the neck on that side, all WTG only. Not brave enough to turn the razor over just yet. Shave wasn't exceptionally close, so I need to keep playing with blade angles and such. Any other pointers?

Confession: I got over-confident and tried to shave my neck on the non-dominant side with the straight too. Nicked myself but good in 3 places and didn't feel any of them, just saw the blood. Won't try that again for a while.

Oh, I didn't strop the blade, lest my beginning stropping technique remove some of the edge that new blade had. I did strop afterwards, partly to help dry the blade, partly to (I hope) re-freshen the edge for its next use.

Prep: Hot towel x 2 (using tap water, which in my current home isn't all that steaming hot), AOS pre-shave oil
Soap: AOS Sandalwood cream
Brush: AOS badger
Razor: Boker Tree Brand (a 5-blade cartridge for the rest of the first pass and all of the second)
AS: Alum block, cold water, AOS Sandalwood balm

Guess where my wife did my Christmas shopping this year? ;-)

You may have had the same experience with a SRD boker and an AOS Dovo, but that doesn't mean they were equally sharp. As many others have said, AOS razors are sadly not shave ready. I'm sure many a man gets some straight razors from their store being told they are as sharp as can be, and ends up quitting in frustration and pain.

Other than that, it sounds like you are well on your way! You know your technique needs work, and it is that which will make you progress. Looking forward to hearing of your first BBS shaves.