New Dovo Razor Choice?

Hi Everyone,

My name is Joseph and i'm completely new to the world of straight razor shaving. I have been unable to have a clean shaven face for over two years due to severe razor burn from any modern shaving methods out there. Recently I was told about straight razor shaves and have since had one professional barber shave and it worked quite well. So, now I'm going to join all of you in using a straight razor. I recently ordered a razor, the Dovo Master's 6/8 straight razor (stainless steel). I was informed by the distributor however that it is currently out of stock, and was asked to pick another one as this one could take quite some time to be delivered. The company i'm ordering from is Vintage Straight Razor (Vintage Straight Razor | Premium | VintageStraightRazor.com). They have many different Dovo's and i'm not sure if i should wait for this one to come in or choose another one. I've also been made aware of the difference between stainless steel and carbon steel. Which do i want, stainless or carbon steel? Should i choose another from the Dovo's they have? They recommended the Dovo Diamont. What do you guys think? What should i do for my first straight razor?

Thanks in advance for all of your help!

Joseph

Hi Joseph,

You can't go wrong with any Dovo. Stainless is a bit more forgiving with respect to maintenence, and seems to hold it's edge longer but regular high-carbon steel is more available and works great.

Use the lightest touch you can when shaving with your new straight razor (or with your cartridge razor, too) to minimize irritation.

Best wishes,
Jeff

Joseph,

Welcome to the forum. I've only been straight shaving for 1 year now, so I'm no expert. When I started I quickly determined that having a truly SHAVE READY razor was of absolute unequivocal importance. Let me save you a whole lot of time and personal anguish -- get a true SHAVE READY razor to start with. It's way more important than "what model or brand". Having said that, I'd get a Dovo 6/8" half hollow (or was it 1/4 hollow?). I've found that wedge and near wedge (mighty close to 1/4 hollow from what I understand) are just easier to maintain and use when you are new IMHO and experience. Straight Razor Designs had this razor in stock SHAVE READY with a free re-hone last I checked. DID I MENTION SHAVE READY? Sorry, just trying to help.

Whatever you do, invest some time on the "new SR shaver" section of this web site and watch some of the videos. You'll have a great time and be off on a good start to your straight shaving journey. Have big fun!

PM me if I can help. I don't know much, but if I can't answer your question I'll admit it and send you to someone who does. Fair enough?

John

You should get the razor that speaks to you. Don't worry about stainless or carbon. If the vendor doesn't have the model you want go elsewhere. Don't settle because in the end you might be sorry you didn't wait or shop elsewhere.

I have the Dovo Diamant 5/8 (black razor), which is a good razor, but IMHO it is not a good choice for a first razor. I would recommend the Dovo Special 6/8, which is the one with faux tortoise scales (plastic).

As a lot of people have said, go with what speaks to you. However, if you are heart set on a Dovo, I would recommend the Dovo 'Bismark' 6/8, full-hollow, carbon steel. The carbon steel requires a bit more attention than stainless, but the shave I get from it is amazing, closer than anything I ever got with one of those vibrating 17 blade mach whatever turbo things. Plus the Bismark is, honestly, a piece of art, it's just a nice looking razor, as well as an incredibly functional one.
DOVO Straight Razors

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Halvard

As a lot of people have said, go with what speaks to you. However, if you are heart set on a Dovo, I would recommend the Dovo 'Bismark' 6/8, full-hollow, carbon steel. The carbon steel requires a bit more attention than stainless, but the shave I get from it is amazing, closer than anything I ever got with one of those vibrating 17 blade mach whatever turbo things. Plus the Bismark is, honestly, a piece of art, it's just a nice looking razor, as well as an incredibly functional one.
DOVO Straight Razors

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Get what you really want, its your razor! Carbon steel is better steel then stainless but both will work equally well, some differences but both will be great. Sure carbon is more of a pain to keep dry but that's kinda the point, slow down and enjoy. That being set if you want the stainless get it! The DOVO Bismark is a work of art and a great blade, the special tortoise shaves well and is quite nice both good choices if you want to go carbon.

I guess I'll chime in... Yeah, I'm on the Dovo 6/8 Bismarck bandwagon. I don't have the Bismarck itself, but they have a number of other 6/8 models that have the same blade shape--shoulderless, thumb notch--which has become my ergonomic favorite, for stropping as well as for shaving. I think the other models exist so Dovo can still use blades that pick up a scratch or something in manufacturing, and can't go on to the final gold wash and red trim fanciness of the Bismarck... that's my theory anyway. Again, I love the shape and the performance.

Visit a few vendor sites, as I've yet to see any one site that offers the entire Dovo line. You might see a razor at one that you can't get at any other. I won't buy from a site that doesn't also sell hones; in my experience those folks don't know as much about straights.

Good luck with your difficult choice!

FWIW ---

In your position, I'd get a Dovo straight razor, a DE razor and some blades, and a strop:

. . . a Dovo 'Best Quality' 5/8" or 6/8", hand-honed (should be about $80 - $90 mail-order)

. . . a Merkur 34C or Edwin Jagger DE89 double-edge ("safety") razor ($35 - $50 mail-order)

. . . whatever strop the vendor has, for a price you can afford.

I don't see any good reason for you to spend a lot of money for a beautifully-finished straight razor that you _may not like shaving with_. The fancy Dovo's are works of art, but I don't think they have sharper edges than the inexpensive ones. [That's for carbon-steel razors; I have no experience with stainless-steel straights.]

I think having a DE razor "in reserve" is a good idea, if you can't use cartridges. The shave (IMHO) is comparable to a straight-razor shave (others disagree), the learning curve is shorter, and the sharpest blades available (Feather) are only about $0.50 each.

I understand the attraction of fancy gear, but it's your _first_ razor, not your last.

Charles

I like my Dovo I just wish it were a full hollow, as my 1/4 hollow doesn't give as close of shave as most my other razors. I tend to use my Dovo if I have a few days growth to knock off. Best of luck in your endeavor.

Joseph,

+1 on the Dovo Best; these razors shave well above their price point :)

My 5/8 Best half-hollow is still one of my favourite shavers.

Good luck !

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

Charles just gave you stellar advice. IMHO. :)

My $0.02:

I have a handful of different Dovo implements, and I echo the advice that the basic Dovo "Best" shaves just as well as anything else they make. The more expensive models are dressed up with artistic embellishments, which are delightful to behold and collect, but don't add anything to the quality of the shave.

Before purchasing a 6/8 Bismark, note that it is a shoulderless blade, which can be more difficult to grip when stropping. (At least it is for me, a guy with "fat finger syndrome.")

Hope this is helpful. Cheers! :)

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