New scales compared to Vintage scales

I have been researching straight razors for a while now, due to being a newby to straight razor shaving, and I have noticed that with the vintage razors that are for sale the scales are usually described in detail as straight with even spacing on the sides, etc. as well as allignment issues, scratches, etc.

I assume the excellent condition of the scales is mentioned simply because it ups the price of the vintage razor or should the scales be perfect on all razors especially the brand new ones from the factory?

I recently received the Dovo Inox Pearlex 5/8 from Straight Razor Designs and noticed that when closed there is definitely more space on one side than the other as if that scale is bowed outward. Is this normal and acceptable for a new razor or is this normal for Pearlex scales?

Thank you

You should see my new(ish) Dovo Prima Klang! It has ebony scales that are too chunky, and it looks as if the tools at the Dovo factory broke and they finished my scales off with their teeth - horrible ragged ends. Things aint what they used to be!

I should have sent it back, but it was a present, and I don't like to disappoint...

Regards,
Neil

It's a bit hard to know for sure what you mean about your Dovo. Is the scale on one side seemingly bowed out? Or is it that the razor is closing slightly off centre, but still isn't likely to contact the scales when closing?
Your Dovo IMoP (pearlex) is, I am assuming, the same as mine with a bracer pin set back from the tang pivot pin, this might be the cause of some distortion. However my own Dovo IMoP has no issues cosmetic or otherwise and it is 18 years old or there abouts.
I can't really say much more than that from my personal experience...I'm not an expert, and others may have a better understanding of the issue and be able to help better.


Mick

MickR - I say the one scale is bowed out because the other scale is perfectly parallel with the blade with even space all along that side.

We live in an age where imperfection appears to be the norm. In the old days they wouldn't tolerate it. Both Dovo and TI have had recent issues with quality control. You should see the pin job on my TI Thiers limited edition. It looks like a chimp assembled it.

I agree with you and don't buy newly made razors any more. It's happened to be twice, shoddy scales and an imperfection with the blade. When complaining to vendors who sold these razors to me I was accused of looking at a razor as a piece of "jewelry" or "a work of art" and that this was a recent point of view. I was told to ignore it and accept the razor as a tool with imperfections. Yes, they are tools but it seems to me that razors today cost alot more than they used to (even when taking into account inflation etc) and ironically the quality of workmanship has declined dramatically... Anyway, a little ramble but in short I'll never buy a Wacker, Newly made Dovo, TI or even Livi when I have the option of buying something vintage that was made better as well as shaves better and is probably alot cheaper.

I think this is the difficulty with ordering online, instead of going in and examining with your own hands and eyes for the best, that you are relying on the seller to pick out your item for you.

That said, SRD is an excellent company to work with. I recently recieved an hone that got chipped in shipping (manufacturer didn't place the mini bubblewrap properly inside the blue box), and when I contacted them they told me they would replace it at no cost to myself, or if I wanted to repair it (which was well within my means) they would still refund a good deal of my money.

I think poor quality should not be tolerated, when it can be reasonably expected that a quality finish product be received. I would contact SRD to see if they will exchange it. Or contact Dovo directly with the warranty claim of faulty workmanship.


Mick

If you want ivory or tortise shell scales it's kind of hard to get them new.

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Originally Posted by ganboyi

I agree with you and don't buy newly made razors any more. It's happened to be twice, shoddy scales and an imperfection with the blade. When complaining to vendors who sold these razors to me I was accused of looking at a razor as a piece of "jewelry" or "a work of art" and that this was a recent point of view. I was told to ignore it and accept the razor as a tool with imperfections. Yes, they are tools but it seems to me that razors today cost alot more than they used to (even when taking into account inflation etc) and ironically the quality of workmanship has declined dramatically... Anyway, a little ramble but in short I'll never buy a Wacker, Newly made Dovo, TI or even Livi when I have the option of buying something vintage that was made better as well as shaves better and is probably alot cheaper.

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Anyone who could tell you to accept a tool with imperfections has never had to earn his living with tools.

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Originally Posted by markevens

I think this is the difficulty with ordering online, instead of going in and examining with your own hands and eyes for the best, that you are relying on the seller to pick out your item for you.

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The sellers I will go back to are the one's who pick out a quality product for me, not an imperfect one and then when I let them know of the condition it arrived in they say they were fully aware and sent it that way! As a little postscript I've never had any problems with SRD.

Here's a couple pictures of what I'm talking about.

Right. It looks like a cosmetic issue, but all the same it is an issue if you make it one. I would think you have reason enough to ask for exchange since it isn't something that is incorporated into the design of the razor, it is a fault. It doesn't have to be your fault though.
My own IMoP has the third pin and sleeve for rigidity...And a different gold wash pattern. I don't keep up with all Dovo models so maybe they bring out a few different ones with the same scales these days. Or maybe mine is a discontinued line, who knows?! Mine doesn't have the issue yours does though.


Mick

If it was me I'd have the vendor replace it. You've paid good money for a tool you should enjoy for decades, but it's not right. That's decades of not-rightness that you shouldn't have to put up with.

In turn, the vendor should be able to get a refund from the factory. That one should never have been shipped.

Thanks for all your opinions and recomendations.

I contacted SRD and they said to send it back for an exchange, no problem. I'll be sending it back today.

Thanks again!

I don't buy any new straights, if it wasn't made before 1891 I don't want it.

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Originally Posted by bmf2001

Here's a couple pictures of what I'm talking about.

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From the picture I would guess that the pin (one or both) is bent causing the scale to deform a little. The scales look like plastic and it would not take much to cause them to flex in that way.

You will see scales, both new and old, with some type of manufacturing defect. It's not limited to just the new ones.

I would have thought nothing less of SRD to offer a replacement. They are, by all accounts, a good mob to do business with.

The IMoP scales are a type of plastic material. One of my razors has the exact same scale material, but mine are straight and look very pretty :D.

Glad to read that things look to be turning out well for the OP.


Mick