Thread: Newbie Question - Dovo Special or Wapi?

Originally Posted by 25609289

It may just be me and the fact that I have a fairly course beard, but I prefer the Wapi 10 to 1 over the Dovos. It has a stiff grind and will cut any beard easily and with no tugging or resistance which you will get with the Dovo if you have much beard at all.

Not to start a debate, I agree some grinds are better for different beards, that said, I would like to hone your razor and see if you can tell a difference in performance. I doubt somewhat if it is entirely a difference in razors.

I have no experience with the Wapi. I do have a Dovo and find it to be an outstanding shaver. I don't think you can go wrong with Dovo.

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

Not to start a debate, I agree some grinds are better for different beards, that said, I would like to hone your razor and see if you can tell a difference in performance. I doubt somewhat if it is entirely a difference in razors.

Just conversation, not an argument. I think my razors are very sharp, but that is only my opinion. I have a lot of razors that shave wonderfully. They are all stiffer grinds. I sharpen the full hollows the same, with the same results: very sharp, but when I shave with them there is a little or a lot less performance from them.

Hey All,

Thanks for the welcome & advice. After reading your posts I think I'll be going for the Dovo. Next question, the deal I was going to go for was from Straight Razor Design but being a Canadian I'm a bit worried about Duty & extra charges. Fendrihan was the other place I was considering ordering from, but they don't have the Dovo 'Special.' Can anyone recommend a reputable Canadian supplier who might be able to set me up?

Thanks

Usually, Canadian customs doesn't care much about small items. You might get the razor into Canada free, or you might have to pay GST+PST.

Fendrihan and Rasage Poulin are (as far as i know) the two significant Canadian mail-order suppliers. I have found that SRD prices are usually lower than Canadian prices. And Fendrihan charges extra for honing; SRD doesn't.

Charles [Richmond, BC]

dovo for me!!

Get a Wapi while you can, they are vintage. You can buy a DOVO any time.

I have a Dovo Bismark and a Wapi w/ stainless scales. The shave, if honed properly, is wonderful from both. The scales on the wapi are a bit awkward and heavy & scratch the tang of the razor. My Dovo has bone scales and is a bit more user friendly. Either will work on ANY beard. I would recommend either. I would lean a bit more to the Dovo if you aren't well versed on the stones as the Wapi's can be a bit finicky. I found mine to only like a thuringian finisher (est 10K), I didn't get too great of a shave off my YG Escher, Nani 12 or Shapton 16K. After 3-5 shaves it likes to be refreshed with a .5 micron diamond strop. My Dovo on the other hand will take a high end finisher like a CF, Shapton 30K, or YG Escher well and last longer (your use may vary of course) before needing touch-ups on a diamond sprayed strop or a stone.

So in summary, since you are new to straights I personally recommend the Dovo. If you already had a few razors I would recommend the wapi (only if it's in great shape w/ the SS scales) simply due to it being a vintage and less common razor. As long as either is honed by a professional, you will get fine shaves from either...hope this helps.

Go for the Dovo, you wont be dissappointed

Without meaning to hijack this thread, I have a question I'd like to ask the collective.

I bought a Dovo from Taylor's of Old Bond Street when I was in the UK a few weeks ago (I actually got it from their unit in Selfridges), and I was told it was shave-ready by the girl there. I wasn't convinced so I found my way to their shop in Jermyn Street and they told me (without looking at it) that it would be shave-ready. Now, I understand that as a rookie my technique is going to play a large part in the sensation from the blade, but I was wondering what the view is regarding these razors REALLY being shave-ready straight out of the shop. Do I need to get it honed professionally before it feels better or am I best off carrying on learning to shave (and strop) and improving my technique before I send it away to be salvaged?