From common exposure to negativity regarding Dovos I have honed up my own (6/8th BQ) beyond what I'd given it for a first-timer's shave (I left it at the Norton 8k) to max out on my finishing hone and then gave a thorough chromium oxide pasted paddle stropping. In other words, I went all the way with my available equipment to really see what kind of an edge the most economical of Dovo's line was capable of. I understand there have been some quality control issues with these, recently bad scales that literally fall apart, spine warpage issues before that, etc. But seriously, this stuff is the modern day mass-produced 21st century metallurgy.

My Dovo has gotten just as sharp (with my available equipment) as any other blade I've used. Different types of steel may respond differently to my single finisher, or two the high-grit paste if I decide to finish beyond that, but without a doubt the Dovo takes and holds a very keen and smooth edge. Cleaves through facial hairs from the beginning of the shave (after prep but when the hairs are at their hardest) with a level of smoothness and ease that lets me know if I'd gotten used to shaving with a less than stellar edge I definitely have to be on my best behavior, shaving-wise. Modern Dovos are a very good shaving steel.