Thread: In Praise of the Dovo Special

Originally Posted by LawsonStone

I have a good many razors, and every time this one comes up in the rotation, I smile.

Me too! Thanks for pointing that out.

Originally Posted by peg20

I'm still thinking about which first razor to get. Lots of people rave about their "special". Does the blade itself differ from the "best quality" (which also comes in a full grind)?

IMHO there is no real difference in the blades. Both are full hollow grinds. I simply think that the "Special" looks better, not that it shaves better.

After all, in straight razor shaving, as in golf, it ain't the equipment, its the operator.

Originally Posted by jhenry

IMHO there is no real difference in the blades. Both are full hollow grinds. I simply think that the "Special" looks better, not that it shaves better.

After all, in straight razor shaving, as in golf, it ain't the equipment, its the operator.

So, am I good to go with a hickory stick 5 iron? PGA look out?

I too am very new to straight razors (1 week), and my first razor is the DOVO white bone bismarck. It is absolutely sublime. And something about bone scales. I love them. I hope to have a collection soon.
Someone said something about an artist club?

Originally Posted by peg20

Thanks. And then there's the bismark...

Every time I whip out the red-scaled Dovo Bismarck, I feel like Wagner should be playing somewhere....

The Dovo 6/8 Special was my first razor also and it still has a regular spot in the rotation. I agree that it is both pleasing to the eye and a great shaver.

Originally Posted by LawsonStone

Every time I whip out the red-scaled Dovo Bismarck, I feel like Wagner should be playing somewhere....

You mean it doesn't ?? Well......there goes my plan ..phooey !!

The Dovo Special was my first razor. It gave a very good and forgiving shave. After acquiring some more premium straight razors, I tended to favor them because of their ability to hold their edge for a longer time. The Dovo Special was always easy to sharpen up, but seemed to need some lapping on my pasted paddle strop every two shaves. I believe that the metal used to make the special is "softer" than other carbon steel razors, thus the term "special" I dealt it off to a new straight razor user so it would get used more.

It does look nice.

Pabster

Alembic, I have seen this same razor on Amazon, and am getting ready to buy it. A 6/8 round point. It says it is a nickel plated stainless steel. Is this what you have? Is it new?

Originally Posted by Zeus

Alembic, I have seen this same razor on Amazon, and am getting ready to buy it. A 6/8 round point. It says it is a nickel plated stainless steel. Is this what you have? Is it new?

You'd be better off buying from Dovo Razors

Otherwise, you'll have to send it off to there or to Neil Miller to be honed once you get it.

EDIT: Sorry, I thought I was posting on TSR. Yes, SRD is the place in the US to order from. My suggestions are for UK buyers.