A great shave

Once in a while, the moon, stars, and earth align, and something truly remarkable happens for me.

I have to start by saying that this razor has been a thorn in my side. I had always read that a DOVO, was among the best of modern razors. So at the start of my straight razor adventure, I saved my penny's and purchased a brand new DOVO. Knowing that I had a ton to learn, I used my new razor about my third or forth shave in. Assuming that this razor was sharp,(it did an awesome job at the HHR) I gave it a test shave and all I can say was ouch. After the first use, I cleaned and dried it then placed away covered in light oil to await it's next use. A month or so later when I went to use it, there was a nice new rust spot on the spine. I cleaned the rust off, stroped it, and set off for the next shave. Still no better.

About this time, I had started honing my own razors and sometimes I was successful, sometimes I wasn't. Not wanting to make a mess of the DOVO, and assuming it had a decent bevel already, I started trying to get this razor to shave. I didn't have any luck. It seemed no matter what I did, this razor would not take a good edge. Sure, it would shave and it would do ok, but my less expensive razors would always out perform it and hold the edge. Three weeks ago, my nephew asked if I would sharpen a knife for him. Since I had out my oil stones I figured I would attempt an edge on this stupid DOVO. I had gone all the way threw my Nortons, and my Chinese stone(used for razors only) and figured that maybe, just a little while on my black Ark. stone might make this razor pop. How right I was.

Only Having to shave once or twice a week is both a blessing, and a curse. The Monday night after I had sharpened it, I got it out and stroped it 20 times with Cro. and then 40 times on the 3 inch, lathered up with some Mama Bear's Barbershop. The newly sharpened DOVO did a nice job, even comfortable. Tonight was it's next try. 20 strokes on the cloth covered in green crayon followed by 20 on the 3 inch, I broke out my favorite best badger and my Poraso, white. Face lathering a nice thick cream, I gave the razor another try. I am not sure if razor knows that it's neck is on the chopping block or not but man did this thing perform. I am not sure if a razor can get better with time or use but this second shave was awesome. This DOVO, just slid down my face, no pull, no tug, no stopping, just the easy glide of a really sharp razor. Of course I did a second pass, but I don't think I really needed it, and I would venture to say that right now. a few minutes after this shave, I would say it is as good as the shaves I get from my Futura, loaded with an Astra blade.

Usually, after my shave's, I like to use my Alum Block, then rinse it off and use a lotion. tonight's shave was so nice, so comfortable, I just rinsed the Alum of and left my face alone. Kind of nice just to feel a clean shave without any scent or oil to ruin the feeling.

Yep, every now and then everything aligns and the world smiles on me.....I wonder what will go wrong tomorrow.

Hopefully nothing,,,, I'm on the forum now,5am, because the damn A/C just burned up,,:(
I've been expecting it for the last 5 years though, got 19 years out of it,,,,:shrug:

Sadly,,, no Shaving Goodies Money for the next 5 months,,,,,,thank God I got a fridge full of Cella,,,:D

The factory shave ready edge on a Dovo is pretty rough, but once you get the bevel set and hone it up, they are nice razors. Enjoy it and hopefully the world will continue to smile on you.