Thread: Are More Expensive Razors That Much Better?

I had the same question about 2 years ago. Now, I have shaved at least a month or two with a 5/8 Dovo Special, 5/8 Dovo Silver Steel, 5/8 Dovo Bone, 5/8 Dovo Berg Lo, 6/8 Dovo Special, 6/8 Dovo Full Hollow Best Quality, 3 "identical" 5/8 Kobar Extra Hollows, a TI 5/8 Extra Hollow, a 5/8 half hollow Torrey. I've also rehoned all of the them to equalize any differences that were from the honer, not the razor.

I've come to the following conclusions (for me - YMMV):

There does not appear to be any difference in grind flexibility, steel hardness, or the ability to get sharp & smooth between any of non-stainless Dovo models - except for the Berg Lo (Which IS better IMO). (This includes "regular Dovo steel" and Dovo's "Silver Steel" model). I suspect many of the differences people notice between the models can be attributed to the random variations in the hand grinding used to produce the razors. The Torrey was not any "better" than the Dovos IMO. The TI WAS - but is was also a $250 razor. The TI was NOT any better than the Dovo Berg Lo (which is also a $250 razor). The $250 razors did stay sharper 25-33% longer.

The $250 razors shaved me about 15% closer / 15% more comfortably. But a 5 shave differences in the number of shaves since the razor was honed, or differences in my stropping technique that week could change that - and then the $85 Dovo shaved me closer / more comfortably. ie: Honing & Stropping make a LOT more difference than the model of the razor. So my recommendation is to buy a 8K hone and some Cro Ox to put on the back side of your webbing and learn to touch up your own razors

The difference between 5/8 and 6/8 is a big deal (mostly due to weight) - you really need to try both to see what you like (6/8 was less easy to use for my face and neck contours). For your second razor, I recommend getting a Dovo Best Quality in the "other" size.

The differences between half hollow, full hollow, and extra hollow are small. If you have experience with a full hollow, you can probably guess which you'd like best. (1/2 hollow results in a little less razor burn than full hollow, but doesn't shave quite as close (1/2 an extra pass worth). Extra hollow shaves a little closer than full hollow (1/2 an extra pass worth), but results in razor burn significantly easier than full hollow (a full pass worth)).

Round tip is easier, but a muted spike tip isn't difficult. Took me 1-2 shaves to adjust my technique.

Soap makes a bigger difference than I thought. I get a different level of BBS and razor burn depending on whether I use VDH, Bigelow Cream, or SRD Glycerin Soap. I'm trying MWF next

Good luck !