Thread: New Dovo Bismarch 6/8 - Bringing it to shave ready…..

Wow my Christmas present turned up today, a little late but I was just as excited opening the box.

What a beautiful razor and it fits my hand perfectly. It has great balance and feel. A great looking razor for sure.

My first straight razor I got from Larry at whipped Dog which is a vintage 5/8. Its a great razor and was honed by him not so long ago so I have an edge to compare my new razor to. (Im a relative newbie to straights and honing) I have been maintaining the edge of my vintage razor with 5 or 6 x passes on my lathered up, barbers hone as the razor starts to pull a just a little which is usually about 7 to 10 shaves, then I just strop for 60 passes or until the razor feels smooth. I strop everyday before and after my shave with 25 passes or so on a hanging strop.

I was unsure how sharp a factory Dovo would be so I gave the new Bismarch a test shave on my cheek and it was a little scratchy. I also looked at it through a 30X magnifier and I could see metal strands and larger scratches (unlike the razor I got from Larry) but the bevel looked crisp and even the whole length of the blade like on my vintage. So I gave ithe razor 30 seconds each side, circular motions on my 12K barbers hone then 5 X strokes each side then 60 passes on my hanging strop and then looked again. The edge looked smooth, so I re tested it again on my face and it was perfect, like a knife through butter.

I must say the 6/8 size is more comfortable to use as I have quite large hands and the new razor seems to glide across my face more smoothly. It also seems easier to maintain a good cutting angle for me, it cuts at a lesser angle which seems to help with the glide.

I must say without a professionally honed vintage blade to compare it to I would have had no idea what a straight is supposed to feel like, however equipped with this knowledge and a barbers hone, a strop and a 30x magnifier, I was able to replicate the feel of my vintage.

So the only advice I would give is, if you don't know what a professionally honed blade is supposed to feel like against your face and what it looks like under some magnification, don't assume your new razor will be ready to shave with, although it may only be a little way off perfect. Buy a straight from a professional first or get your new straight honed by a pro before you begin.

I hope that helps…

Next step is to get it rescaled.... Like so

Did you not like the original scales?

Originally Posted by kevinred

Did you not like the original scales?

Hated the pearlex ones that came with it so I made some horn scales with brass wedge to match the gold...

I haven't liked the scales on any dovo I have gotten to thick and clunky

Originally Posted by Heespharm

Hated the pearlex ones that came with it so I made some horn scales with brass wedge to match the gold...

I haven't liked the scales on any dovo I have gotten to thick and clunky

I must say I didn't like the look of the pearlex scales on the Bismarch, but I like the black ones I have. Funny I think the scales are really solid compared to my vintage razors scales. You made a good job of the conversion, it does look very nice with the modifications.

Originally Posted by kevinred

So I gave ithe razor 30 seconds each side, circular motions on my 12K barbers hone then 5 X strokes each side then 60 passes on my hanging strop and then looked again. The edge looked smooth, so I re tested it again on my face and it was perfect, like a knife through butter.

So the only advice I would give is, if you don't know what a professionally honed blade is supposed to feel like against your face and what it looks like under some magnification, don't assume your new razor will be ready to shave with, although it may only be a little way off perfect. Buy a straight from a professional first or get your new straight honed by a pro before you begin.

Congratulations on the new blade!

Curious exactly what you are referring to when you are referencing a 12k barber's hone?

Very good advice about trying a pro honed blade first.

Thanks

Originally Posted by Heespharm

Next step is to get it rescaled.... Like so

Gorgeous work there! Did you get the horn pre-shaped or did you do that part yourself?

Cheers

Originally Posted by jimtro

Gorgeous work there! Did you get the horn pre-shaped or did you do that part yourself?

Cheers

Did it all myself... I shamelessly brag whenever I get the chance :-)

Recently I have just been passing my straight over a 12k barbers hone then straight to the strop and it too feels buttery smooth. I have tried the crox pastes on a balsa but didn't see much of a difference. Do you think more passes on the leather stop produce the same buttery edge?

Originally Posted by Heespharm

Did it all myself... I shamelessly brag whenever I get the chance :-)

I'd be bragging too that's some fine looking work there. Nice improvement.