Thread: Boker or Dovo

I'm looking at getting my first straight razor and I think I've got it narrowed down to the Boker Edelweiss and the Dovo best value. The Boker is around $40 higher but they are both coming from Straight Razor Design. Which do you think would be best for a newbie, and why? Have a razor you think I should look at (budget of under $100) just say so and why. Thanks for your time.

If you're comfortable with the cost, I vote for the Boker. I've restored a bunch of the Edelweiss and find them like the vast majority of Bokers to be excellent razors.

Are you looking at these two because they look really cool, or function?
As a first time user I'd recommend getting a lower cost razor that has been honed by an expert. Larry Andro restores vintage razors and sells them honed and shave ready for $33. Whipped Dog Straight Razor Sales
its just too easy to damage the razor or ruin the edge as a newbie and having a low cost, but shave ready razor will not set you back as much if something happens.
I don't blame you if you get a Dovo or Boker for our first, they're beautiful razors.

I haven't used both to make a comparison, but I don't think you'll be able to tell the difference at this point. May be later when you get proficient at this type of shaving, but at the beginning the dominant factor is the skill.

Originally Posted by Kenrup

If you're comfortable with the cost, I vote for the Boker. I've restored a bunch of the Edelweiss and find them like the vast majority of Bokers to be excellent razors.

I don't think these are the same bokers. He is talking the current production, not a restored vintage.

Kenrup you have a nice selection of razors and seem like you would be well educated. What do you suggest for a new guy? Salazch to answer you because of function. I have read that these are both good razors and they are sold with Strops via Straight Razor Design. I'm looking for something that isn't too expensive but good enough to get a good shave and that will last me a while. Once again thanks for your input everyone.

I started with a 6/8 best quality.

To be honest, if i could start over i'd start with a 5/8 vintage half-hollow. having tried 3 razors now, the shave from the vintage 5/8 square point half-hollow was considerably easier than the 6/8, just because it was easier to manage angles.

Also, there's something gratifying about shaving with a 50-year old instrument. it's cheaper too! that way you can see which sizes and shapes you like and buy a new one.


or just go with a budge 5/8 best quality. if you get it professionally honed, you know you're getting a solid razor, being a dovo. the only real problem with mine, was that the bevels weren't even at the toe/heel. but it wasn't really shave-ready to begin with, so i guess it was intended to be honed.

Originally Posted by dnullify

I started with a 6/8 best quality.

To be honest, if i could start over i'd start with a 5/8 vintage half-hollow. having tried 3 razors now, the shave from the vintage 5/8 square point half-hollow was considerably easier than the 6/8, just because it was easier to manage angles.

Also, there's something gratifying about shaving with a 50-year old instrument. it's cheaper too! that way you can see which sizes and shapes you like and buy a new one.


or just go with a budge 5/8 best quality. if you get it professionally honed, you know you're getting a solid razor, being a dovo. the only real problem with mine, was that the bevels weren't even at the toe/heel. but it wasn't really shave-ready to begin with, so i guess it was intended to be honed.

Excellent advice. I have a razor that's nearly 100 years old I won on eBay for $40, and it's almost new old stock. I find that for my face and beard, a near wedge or quarter hollow shaves well, especially if it's 5/8. I do have a few 6/8, 7/8, and 8/8, but the larger the blade, the more difficult it is to shave the upper lip and chin. YMMV...

Originally Posted by GeauxLSU

Excellent advice. I have a razor that's nearly 100 years old I won on eBay for $40, and it's almost new old stock. I find that for my face and beard, a near wedge or quarter hollow shaves well, especially if it's 5/8. I do have a few 6/8, 7/8, and 8/8, but the larger the blade, the more difficult it is to shave the upper lip and chin. YMMV...

precisely. and i like the ever so slightly rounded square-points. gets the upper lip quite nicely.

with the 5/8 you can follow the curve of the chin and down the neck.

also, thing to remember is that they've been making razors more or less the same way for years. So, brand name doesn't matter. it's more blade profile, and condition. naturally, you don't want rust or major pitting. you do want it professionally honed. hollow, half-hollow, wedge.

buying vintage allows you to have more later on for a nicer strop (don't want to start with a nice one), as well as a nice badger brush.

I am still quite new to straight shaving. I started using a Parker shavette back in June and got the monthly straight & strop set from SRD in October. Latigo strop and Boker King Cutter; I absolutely love it. It is the only real straight I have atm, but I have read that Dovo Best Quality is a fantastic starter shaver as well.

I really don't think you can go wrong, it's a win-win. Buy one now and the other later....

Originally Posted by Devilpup

Kenrup you have a nice selection of razors and seem like you would be well educated. What do you suggest for a new guy? Salazch to answer you because of function. I have read that these are both good razors and they are sold with Strops via Straight Razor Design. I'm looking for something that isn't too expensive but good enough to get a good shave and that will last me a while. Once again thanks for your input everyone.

The best advice I can give is whatever you buy, buy it from a reputable seller. There are many great starter razors usually listed in the classifieds and we have a lot of reputable sellers listed in the vendors section. I typically suggest a round point, 5/8 or 6/8 blade and hollow ground. The fun thing about straights you can easily re-sell, swap or horse-trade razors and try different brands, styles and grinds of razors and find the kind or kinds (beware of Razor Acquisition Disorder R.A.D.) Make it an adventure. It's a lot of fun that way.