Going to purchase a NEW razor.

Hello everyone and happy new years.

I have been practicing straight razor shaving for over a year now using an antique George Wolstenholm, a Hollinger and a Wapienica.

Each Razor has it's own feel of course and shaves differently. I really like my G. Wolstenholm, but was in love with the feel that my Wapi had. Kind of soft almost velvet squeegee feel to it that I have read referenced a few times on this forum. Unfortunately, The blade got nicked right in the middle about 1/32 of an inch. Quite a bit of honing was done to restore it as best as possible, but it lost that soft feeling it had and now feels very very stiff.

I am going to purchase a brand new Razor, more than likely a Dovo, possibly a 6/8" and I am curious if anyone has used one and if they noticed a softness to the shave, or is there another razor I might want to consider?

Truthfully, I probably would just end up buying another new wapi if I could find one, as I love the one I have but at the same time there is kind of a pride I take in my shaving ritual and it would be really quite nice to flip open a nice expensive blade.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Stay warm!
Paul

I have a Dovo Bismarck, and while it's a nice razor, we never "hit it off." I found the shave harsh and my face was irritated after. I get a better shave with a wedge or near wedge grind. That said, today, I used a "Keen Kutter" that's a 6/8 full hollow. It was simply a wonderful shave.

Before plunking down $200 on a razor, check the classified section here and talk to the seller of razors you're interested in, describing what you've said in your post. They'll be glad to help.

I've got a Dovo bismark and I love it. I also have a ebony scaled dovo prima which gives me great shaves as well. These 2 are my go to razors and I love the both.

I have a Dovo Bismarck 6/8 and it gives me excellent shaves. I am very satisfied with it.

I've got a Dovo Bismarck and for the price its definately a nice razor. Its not quite as smooth as Le Grelot, Filarmonica's and Puma's though.

I have a Bismark and fin it to be a superior shave. The ground out thumb rest provides a more comfortable hold on the razor that makes it very versatle when shaving...The weight is also very nice. I think it is a great shaver...If you want a little more uniquiness though you might look at the Reannaissance's (I think I spelled that wrong?)...THey are comprable and not as usual... Or, you could step it up a notch and get a Wacker? I just got one for Christmas and find it to be one of the best I have shaved with...It is a hollow ground that shaved off a full goatee and mustache without any trouble..Beautiful pale horn scales also..Anyway, good luck.Back tothe original point..Bismark is a great shave. You won't go wrong for the price.

While the brand razor and metal used on the blade effects the final edge on straight razors the quality of honing and the hones used more often then not are the true factors in the razor's edge quality. I have a Dovo Bismark that shaves very smooth and effortlessly.

A Dovo stainless micarta was an 'OK' shave, as were most of my other blades. The acquisition of a jnat turned all but the heavy grind sheffields into great shaves.

If you like Dovos - get one. They're fine. There are others, but the edge will have more to do w/ your satisfaction than the look & feel of the blade. Wackers are wonderful (I could repeat that a few hundred times), but the only thing they have over some humble vintage Gencos or Shumates is the heft, size of the shank and more fancy scales.

You might be well served by trying other finishing stones - either your own, or see if some members in your local area would be interested in sharing or allowing use of their finishing stones in exchange for trying one of yours. I've not tried a coti or Escher/Thurry. I'm talking w/ a couple members about sending them a blade from the asagi and trying one of theirs from a Thurry. We refinish the edges on our own stones, and send them back for comparison.

I have both a Dovo Bismark and a Dovo Special in tortoise. Both are 6/8.

I love them both and get fantastic, smooth shaves with either one. I am always thrilled when my Special comes up in my rotation. It was my first razor and feels like reuniting with an old friend. The shaves are always superb.

I believe the Wapi are wedge's. That is what gives it that diff feel. That Velvet feel. The Dovo are nice but more like a full hollow feel.

6/8 Best quality shaves just fine too.

Paul,

I'm with Alembic on this, mostly. I have a Dovo Special and think it is a fine, fine razor. There is a Bismarck in the rotation too, but the Special is, well, special. Have fun choosing and good shaving.

:beer2:

I am very very happy to say that after reading all the advice and experiences from everyone on this thread I did in fact purchase a Dovo Best Quality 6/8 full hollow. If any is interested, After I get it I can post my first shave with it.

Thanks again everyone.

That's a great first razor, I'm sure you will get a lot of milage out of it. And of course we are interested in your first shave. We are, after all, a bunch of guys who frequent a forum on shaving. :)

I love my Dovo Bismark, it is a great shaver and I will definately be buying another Dovo to replace this one when I send it off to be honed in a few months.

Interesting to see so many responses on the Dovo Bismarck as that is what I got in the mail (the red one) just yesterday. Tried it today and it is indeed a fine shaver. I will say that my $5 W/B mostly wedge does have a more velvety feel but from the posts I've read the Bismarck will do better with a few stroppings. Of course it may do worse considering I strop like a Neanderthal.