Thread: Opinions Welcome (and wanted!): Boker Edelweiss, Dovo All Stainless, Dovo Diamant

Welcome to SRP, Nathan, and you are correct - Lyn (from SRD) does frequent this site a bit - he started it....hehe
Any razor (or set) that you buy from him will be exceptional, from what I have read.
As you will notice as you read and study this site, most everything is about personal preference when it comes to this journey.
Therefore, pick the one you like the best and go for it - you can get the others later. (Just try and stop at one)
Hang on and enjoy the ride

Thank you,

Havachat45,


Yes, I agree with you, entirely. I am fully expect to hear similar things from other users (personal preference)! It makes the most sense, after all. They are just all very beautiful straight razors and I can't find one quality / characteristic that does it for me more than another. Of course with the Diamant, the blued blade is very unique and catching. I love the bone scales of the Edelweiss. And the stainless, well, I hear that stainless makes for a very solid (and retaining) shave. Also the description that it's 'less maintenance' kind of does it for me. Though I am aware that I should, and I will, take care of any blade I decide upon.

Thanks for the reply. And I'll apologize right now for my freakish reply speeds. I'm attached to my computer and am quick to write a block of text.

Edit: I should add the Dovo Ebony Spike Point is one of my favorites on SRD. But it's currently out of stock. I wonder if Lyn might be able to give an idea of when SRD restocks? Or is it a special order kind of deal? I should probably contact them directly...

Give them each a number. Put the three numbers on seperate pieces of paper, stick them in a hat, shake it up for good measure!

I'm going to start out saying I can't offer any experience with the blades you've asked about. All three are good picks IMO. I would go with the one that speaks to you the most. I prefer darker scales, so the bone one doesn't speak to me that much. Honestly, for the price range you're mentioning, I really like the look of the Bismarck in Ebony. Just my opinion...and they have it in stock.

PS 5/8 - 6/8 isn't that bad when you're learning. I know the Bismarck is 6/8, but it won't make a huge difference IMO.

Welcome Nathan! always good to have a new member
I have to say that even though I haven't used the Dovo All Stainless, I did get a chance to handle one. And i wanted to purchase one, right up until i held it. It's waaaay to handle-heavy. again, it's just my opinion. BUT dovo does have some damn good razors! I'd have to say go for the diamant, just because I wanna see an in depth review on it. Let us know what happens.

I'll second the post above--the all-stainless Dovo has very poor balance, something yoe don't need to mess with as you're learning to shave. I have a Dovo stainless in ebony scales that I've been happy with. Like you, I was drawn to stainless for ease of care--but have found that to be a non-issue, at least for me. Part of the ritual is putting the blade away properly, and I take the same care with the stainless as with my high-carbon blades.

I like bone scales, for what that's worth.

The only thing that spooks me about blued blades is that sometimes I hone on a coticule with slurry, and notice a little feathering of scratch marks the loose grit causes w/in ~1/8" of the edge. That would probably show up as scratches in the bluing on the diamante.

Best wishes and good luck with your luxurious struggle! So many choices...

I'd go for the Boker or the Dovo Stainless, thats just me, all three are great no doubt. Do you have a strop? A brush? Shaving cream?

Thank you for your replies and welcomes, everyone.

Yochatman- Don't think I haven't debated that, haha. I'm one of those peoples that flips a coin, though, and always changes my mind mid flip. Or after I see the results.

Cove- I enjoy the bone / ivory look a lot with steel. But I've always also enjoyed the dark/ebony scale look. The Bismark is a beauty to be sure, but it's a bit -too- much of gold (is there such a thing?) for my taste. A bit gaudy... but maybe I'm more of a minimalist. Then again, I just took another look at it and it's looking mighty-fine today.

Straight Razor Robot- Thank you for the input. I'd like nothing better than to contribute to the forum (an in-depth review of the diamant) but as this is my first razor, I'm not sure how well crafted my review would be. It's kinda like they say: you start to notice differences / specifics when you get a second to compare it to.

Roughtkype: Thank you, as well, for your input. Haha, yes it is a luxurious struggle. Perfectly put. I'm thinking of leaning away from the stainless at the moment. Just because I'm trying to make an informed decision on an other wise equal playing field. If people have told me it's got an off-balance or the scales are flexible (as I read on a previous review), then that gives me a little bit of direction. So thank you.

Animal within- I'm leaning with Boker at the moment. As for a strop, brush, etc. I am thinking of order the 'starter kit' from Straight Razor Design. That includes a brush, soap, strop (upgrading to 3'), and other little goodies.

Mav- Thank you for the welcome. Good to be here. Thanks for the suggestion. That one is a beauty. Do you have a preference over carbon and stainless? I know you said it's one of your favorites, I'm wondering if it's because you can tell a big difference between how they shave or edge retention or just personal preference.

Decisions, Decisions! Thank you all.

Should clarify the Bismark is mighty fine looking, but I imagine the gold would rub off. Same with the bluing on the Diamant might as roughkype suggested. I like the uniqueness of the diamant, but maybe it's more of a collectors piece after I get started. The Edelweiss is top of the list, currently. I'll keep you all updated.

Hey Nathan

I love the Inox cos it seems to give me consistent good shaves. I am not at the expertise level of some of these guys here but (and correct if wrong here) one thing about stainless supposedly is that they hold their edge really well. Thats a pretty good thing I would say. Apparently they are a little harder to hone but you should not worry doing that yourself for a little while.

In the end having said all that pick one you like the look of, its an emotional decision as much as it is a practical one.

Cheers

All right, updates.

First, Mav13, thank you for the follow up. I can definitely imagine the benefits of a consistent stainless shave. But seeing as though this is my first razor, I suppose I won't know the difference between carbon / stainless. I have a strange suspicion that I won't be happy with just one razor...

I just purchased the Edelweiss from SRD with complete 'wet shaving' kit. I bought a scented soap (West Indies scent?) to bump me up to free express shipping. Heh.

I'll keep you guys updated on when I get it, what I think, pictures, etc. I imagine you're going to see a nicked, bloody face. I"ll start doing research right now.

Thanks for all your input. I'll look forward to hearing from you.