Parker SR1 vs Dovo Stainless

I have found reviews on both but I havent found any reviews comparing the two, so if there already is a thread please send me that way.

So I'm looking for a solid shavette that wont break the bank, and by break the bank I mean if I can buy a reputable straight for price of a shavette I'm not interested (in other words I am aware the Feather system exists).

Right now I have been looking at the Dovo stainless and the Parker SR1. The thing that apeals to me with the dovo is the fact that it can use different length blades. The thing that apeals to me about the Parker is the way the blade locks in.

So a few questions: first what are the weights of these two? if you only own 1 of them can you post the weight sans blade, if you own both obviously post both. Second, are there any issues with the blade holder of the parker or dovo? does the dovo just slide in or does it click into place or otherwise held in by some type of retension? Lastly, any other pros and cons between the two?

Thanks for all your help,
Scottie

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Originally Posted by scottiemann

I have found reviews on both but I havent found any reviews comparing the two, so if there already is a thread please send me that way.

So I'm looking for a solid shavette that wont break the bank, and by break the bank I mean if I can buy a reputable straight for price of a shavette I'm not interested (in other words I am aware the Feather system exists).

Right now I have been looking at the Dovo stainless and the Parker SR1. The thing that apeals to me with the dovo is the fact that it can use different length blades. The thing that apeals to me about the Parker is the way the blade locks in.

So a few questions: first what are the weights of these two? if you only own 1 of them can you post the weight sans blade, if you own both obviously post both. Second, are there any issues with the blade holder of the parker or dovo? does the dovo just slide in or does it click into place or otherwise held in by some type of retension? Lastly, any other pros and cons between the two?

Thanks for all your help,
Scottie

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I started with a Parker PT and don't regret it at all. I still have, but don't use it anymore. Well sometimes I use use it to trim the hair on the back of my arms and my neck.
I bought it from Barber Razors | BestGroomingTools.com . That was about 13 months ago.

I hesitate to comment on the Dovo's as I only have used an actual straight from them and not the shavette; but I would image you would be happy with quality from them. You can use the shorter half DE blade or with an adapter the single edge Feather Artist Club blade.

I went the ultra cheap route as I was using the shavette to learn angles. If you are wanting to stay with a shavette, then I would pony up the extra $20 and get the Dovo.

I hope my two cents help.
Cheers,
John

I appreciate the feedback and yes I have been leaning more towards the dovo for many reasons. The only reason I'm second guessing myself is because I will be in the market for a real straight and strop set in the very near future. I do however enjoy the almost-maintenance-free aspect of a shavette but am trying to not spend too much in that department... key word trying... i dont think its working haha

If anyone else has any recommendations on a solid shavette that wont break the bank, I'm open to suggestions...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by scottiemann

I appreciate the feedback and yes I have been leaning more towards the dovo for many reasons. The only reason I'm second guessing myself is because I will be in the market for a real straight and strop set in the very near future. I do however enjoy the almost-maintenance-free aspect of a shavette but am trying to not spend too much in that department... key word trying... i dont think its working haha

If anyone else has any recommendations on a solid shavette that wont break the bank, I'm open to suggestions...

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In that case go with the Parker. I used mine 6 months then for $68 got a Whipped Dog razor and strop set.
hint:
when you get a straight, get an extra replacement strop. You WILL carve up your first one like a turkey.

Look on ebay/etsy for a weck sextoblade should be able to get one cheap enough. They use hair shaper blades. You can get these at any barber supply store.

The Parker is a nice shavette. But typically I reach for the weck when I go for a shavette

Quote:

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Originally Posted by scottiemann

I have found reviews on both but I havent found any reviews comparing the two, so if there already is a thread please send me that way.

So I'm looking for a solid shavette that wont break the bank, and by break the bank I mean if I can buy a reputable straight for price of a shavette I'm not interested (in other words I am aware the Feather system exists).

Right now I have been looking at the Dovo stainless and the Parker SR1. The thing that apeals to me with the dovo is the fact that it can use different length blades. The thing that apeals to me about the Parker is the way the blade locks in.

So a few questions: first what are the weights of these two? if you only own 1 of them can you post the weight sans blade, if you own both obviously post both. Second, are there any issues with the blade holder of the parker or dovo? does the dovo just slide in or does it click into place or otherwise held in by some type of retension? Lastly, any other pros and cons between the two?

Thanks for all your help,
Scottie

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I seldom use a shavette but found the Parker heavier, bigger, more balanced, and easier to use. The Dovo was lighter, and harder to hold because it was smaller. However, after some practice with the Parker, I could use the Dovo.

The Parker has a better retention system for the blade and is heavier. I like the Dovo with their longer blades and the black blade holder. But using the red holder with 1/2 de blade doesn't work for me. Others have said there is too much blade flex, they may be right. The longer Dovo blades are thicker so do not flex.

Yea the biggest thing for me is the retention system, currently I'm using the personna magic and this thing couldnt be sloppier, I could probably do a better job shaving with a DE blade clamped in a pair of vice grips.

I have heard that the dovo can be a little loose, some reported inconsistent shaves because of it. But the main tradeoff there is the longer blade option.

I am ordering a WD sight unseen razor within the next week but still want to have both options so I may order the parker due to price and retention system and maybe in a couple weeks order a dovo and compare the two on my face.

As always i appreciate all the feedback and will report back when I get one in my hands.

On a side note I have come to the conclusion that CVS brand blades suck performance wise, not to mention being ungodly expensive... no matter how smooth my strokes are or how steep or shallow the angle is, these things just dont cut down my whiskers without extensive effort and irritation...

I will be ordering a sample pack along with a couple different soaps to try, Im not overly impressed with the cheap VDH soap im using so that may be a contributing factor to the blades performance.

So I ordered myself a parker SR1, although I like the black I prefer to have the extra weight of the stainless handle. I also ordered the 12 type blade combo pack from maggards so hopefully I can fine a blade I like... will keep you guys posted

Quote:

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Originally Posted by scottiemann

So I ordered myself a parker SR1, although I like the black I prefer to have the extra weight of the stainless handle. I also ordered the 12 type blade combo pack from maggards so hopefully I can fine a blade I like... will keep you guys posted

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Good for you. My suggestion would be to use the mildest blades first. A Derby or something like that.
Good luck.

Yea so far I've been using the ungodly expensive CVS brand blades which I've been told are similar to the shark blades. I dont completely like them but shark blades do come in the sampler so I'm going to try them first so I have a first hand comparison then start going through the list...

BTW, has anyone written a comprehensive "mild to wild" list of all the DE blades? I know where derby and feathers fit into the list but thats about it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by scottiemann

Yea so far I've been using the ungodly expensive CVS brand blades which I've been told are similar to the shark blades. I dont completely like them but shark blades do come in the sampler so I'm going to try them first so I have a first hand comparison then start going through the list...

BTW, has anyone written a comprehensive "mild to wild" list of all the DE blades? I know where derby and feathers fit into the list but thats about it.

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I believe the one's you speak of Persona Barber blades. They suck. I mean they are just bad in my opinion. Sharks were real smooth in my shavette as were Derby, Astra green pack, and Treet. I could get 3 or 4 good comfortable shaves out of each half blade except for the Treet and that was a couple of shaves.
Have fun with it and find what works for you. No two people react the same to everything so just keep throwing stuff against the wall and see what sticks.

Yea someone mentioned they may be made by personna. Even with a single WTG(face)/XTG(neck) pass, with smooth light strokes and a good shallow angle(20-30degrees), I am getting a fairly smooth shave that beats my electric hands down but I am getting some serious razor burn. I do realize that its part due to my technique but I do believe the blades have a part in it too... gonna try an alum block as well and see if that helps as well until I get my technique down completely...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by scottiemann

Yea someone mentioned they may be made by personna. Even with a single WTG(face)/XTG(neck) pass, with smooth light strokes and a good shallow angle(20-30degrees), I am getting a fairly smooth shave that beats my electric hands down but I am getting some serious razor burn. I do realize that its part due to my technique but I do believe the blades have a part in it too... gonna try an alum block as well and see if that helps as well until I get my technique down completely...

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These are already split from the factory. A hundred for $7 is a great deal. This was bar none my favorite blade for shavette use.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=sr_1_3&sr=8-3

So some goodies came in yesterday...

Tonight I tried the Derby Extra blades. First of all, do I think the blades could be better? Yes, BUT, they are worlds better than the CVS blades. My first with the grain pass was smoother than some of my 2 pass shaves with the CVS's. Because the first pass went so smoothly with almost no irritation I went for a XTG pass which went smoothly with some irritation but I blame that on my technique. The first thing I noticed with these blades were that they are super quiet, when I first started I had to check what I had done already to see if I was actually cutting hair.

The parker SR1, man I have to get used to this... It is significantly heavier than the Magic, and has a very flat skinny grip area whereas the magic is thicker and more rounded which makes manipulating the blade angle a little more dificult and the heavy handle compounds that issue. However it is very solid and there is no movement as far as the blade is concerned and thats what I was looking for.

I also tried some Razorock soap which I thoroughly enjoy. Scent is great and very slick compared to the VDH. I do however have to experiment with how much water I leave in the brush with this softer soap. Steppin up in the world...oh yea!!!

And I dont know if its the whole combination of new goodness but I also got an alum block which seems to help a lot. Now to just start going through the blades to find my favorite...

So 3 shaves in with the derby extras, twice with fresh blades and tonight reusing one of those blades. I definitely noticed a difference in sharpness reusing the blades for a second time and my face did not like it but I feel satisfied I gave the blades a chance to show what they can do and now on to the next.

On another note, after taking a shower and getting ready to shave my SO grabs the brush out of my hands and proceeds to lather up my face, she then grabs my parker and just jumps right in... not gonna lie, I was pretty nervous but I had faith in her. She could only do about half of the first WTG pass before she had to wrangle in the little ones but she did good and she had fun...

3 shaves done with the Astra Superior Stainless. Much better than the derby's. Last night was my second shave with them using a fresh blade and it had to be my most comfortable shave, I did 2 WTG passes on my face and 2 N/S passes on my neck with a little bit of touch up and very little to no irritation. The shave was one of my closest which led to me only needing a single WTG/XTG pass with a little bit of touchup tonight. Tonight I reused a blade and could feel irritation during the shave however I have very little irritation now which shows me I could use these blades for multiple shaves. And on to the next blade (Astra Superior Platinum)...

WOW!

I am both surprized and thoroughly impressed at how much irritation and razor burn I recieved from the Astra Superior Platinum... My face is on FIRE!!!

I do not like these blades at all, but maybe the stars aren't aligned tonight. I will however give them their fair shot of 3 shaves, 2 fresh blades and a reused blade...

I also have the Parker sr1..... its a good rig. Nice and sturdy as everyone said. That being said. I have yet to find a blade brand that doesn't leave me with some level of razor burn or irritation. (Pro tip) don't work out syst a shavette shave. It feels like hot coals raining down on your face! I may be wrong in my opinion about their intended actual purpose, but I really believe that most, if not all, shavette type razors are more suited to edging your hair or beard. Meaning that they really should only be used for doing line - ups and such. IMHO they ate good in a pinch, but if you're willing and able. Go str8!

I have a Dovo shavette which is what I originally learned on. I still use it occasionally and get great shaves with it. Especially when I shave my head. Its an awesome little shaver. Never used a Parker so I cant really comment on it.