Originally Posted by
lvbarber
I am currently employed with TAOS as a barber at the Canal Shops in the Venetian. The store carries Dovo and I believe they are all 5/8 or 6/8 half or full hollow grind. Prices vary according to handles and designs on the blades. They are all carbon steel round or spike point. When I am out front speaking with customers that are interested in straight razor shaving I find most have zero experience or knowledge. Trying to determine whether they will have the tenacity to learn to hone, strop and shave with a straight is difficult. I often refer them to a shavette like we use in the barber spa. We use 1/2 of a Gillette DE. We clean and sterilize the handles and holders after each use as well as inserting a fresh blade. At home I use cut throats and when traveling I take a Monsieur Charles. The staff up front are very knowledgeable regarding the use and benefits of the TAOS product line. I for one believe these products perform as advertised. Preparing and maintaining a straight razor for shaving is not the sales staffs forte. You may always ask a barber if available to help with the understanding that most are younger and have never delt with anything but disposable blades. I am one of the exeptions. The barbers are exeptional as are the sales consultants. Every sales consultant that is hired goes through a training program and of course there is a learning curve. Try to have understanding that you may know more about shaving than the sales consultants. I personally can hone, strop and shave but have no clue as to how to restore even a slightly damaged blade. I hope this helps clarify a few things for the laypersons out there. I believe this post to be acceptable to the context of this thread and disclosing my relationship to TAOS. Let me know if I am out of line.