Advice for the next razor after owning a Dovo 5/8ths

Hi I have been using a Dovo 5/8ths 'best quality' for a year and a half now.

I shave about every 3 days.

I've noticed that the razor pulls a bit even after stropping - I'm guessing that I need to hone it and was planning on using some japanese stones that I own (Probably just the 8k(12k) : http://straightrazorpalace.com/hones...ml#post1357348 ).

I'll have a look at videos on how to do it but sharpen quite a few things so should be ok.

HOWEVER! I was thinking of trying a new razor....

I'd like to get a new razor so that if I mess up the honing on the old one then I am not left without a razor. Also I'd quite like to try something different and I would like some advice on what to consider.

I think that my beard is pretty coarse and thick - what would be good to try for a stiff/thick beard that is only shaved every 3 days or so?

I am keen to stay with a rounded tip like on the Dovo (I think).

I don't need anything fancy - just functional - I'd like to explore a new razor to see if I can improve on the Dovo 5/8ths and the ease of shave.

I have managed to keep the carbon steel blade in good order on the Dovo - carbon or stainless for the new one?!
(There are a lot of powdered stainless steels around - VG10 / Elmax / CPM S35VN / CPM M4 / ZDP-189 etc - have these been used for razors?)

Thanks for any advice.
Ed

If you have used that Dovo for a year and a half and it just now is starting to pull and tug, get whatever you want, as long as it is shave ready.... You must have all the facets of SR shaving down pat.

:beer1:

Personally I am partial to the vintage blades. Wade &Butcher, F Reynolds,George Wostenholm. Anything over 5/8 of an inch.

To me it doesn't make sense to tie these two things together (a shave ready razor to fill in while you hone the old one). I suggest you simply buy what appeals to you and send the new one out for honing. Or send the current one out for honing, or both. There's no point in linking a long term item with a short term problem. Get the honing taken care of and buy the best you can reasonably afford. Then tackle honing at your convenience. In the end I think you'll be better served.

The 5/8 Dovo is a full hollow grind - should I be looking at a more wedge shaped grind? What are the benefits of a large blade? Is 7/8 too big?

I'm trying to decide what the next razor to buy is and don't know what characteristics to look for...

Yep I hear you OCDShaver but I'd like to learn how to sharpen the old razor and I'd like to buy a new type of razor. I'd end up using them both in the end.

If you want to try a different grind go for it. Personally I think all grinds properly honed up will give a good shave but will feel different doing it. If you want to try a stainless steel razor go for it but stick with the tried and true vintage or new from reputable makers. Personally I think both carbon and stainless steel blades shave well if properly honed up. For me there seems to be a fair difference between 5/8 and 6/8 sizes, more than the fractional increase in size would seem to indicate. I would not go more than 7/8 for your next razor though. Just exactly what combination of grind, steel and size is ultimately up to you but I see no down side to any of them.

Bob

Thanks guys - I should probably either stick with the Dovo and get in pro-honed or try a slightly larger blade in whatever configuration and see how I get on.
Will have a read around and specifically about these:

Thiers-Issard - basic black 6/8
Thiers-Issard - 'grelot' 6/8
Dovo - Astrale 5/8
Dovo - Bismarck 6/8 (is the Dovo - Carre 6/8 the same blade just a different finish? And the Dovo - Master's?)

I'll have a look at the Dovo - Bergischer Löwe but am concerned about cutting myself with the tip.

Thanks,
Ed

Nothing will teach you blade placement and control like a spike point ;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ChopperDave

If you have used that Dovo for a year and a half and it just now is starting to pull and tug, get whatever you want, as long as it is shave ready.... You must have all the facets of SR shaving down pat.

:beer1:

---

Shave ready doesn't actually mean it is, a lot of the time a seller will put that in thier ad, because it sounds good, very rarely have I found a shave ready blade really ready to use, but sometimes you get lucky. Even on some new razors, you'd think they'd be of course ready to use, "NOT", they need a fine tune honing, and a good crom-ox hit on a linen strop, then give 40-50 hits on the leather side.

Buy yourself a Naniwa Super Stone, 8k - 10k, or 12k, they are a little pricey, then a Norton water stone will work fine, learn to hone, actually very simple, then strop again, same procedure as stated above.

Yep, if you are buying off of the bay, shave ready is almost guaranteed to NOT be shave ready.

Don't buy off the ebay unless you know what your doing. I would look at the classifieds on here. I have bought all my Srs off here. I have not been disappointed yet.

Gave the Dovo 5/8 a light hone on a 8k(12k) stone and then stropped it lots as I don't have any chromium oxide.
Had a shave and works fine now (doesn't pull on the beard) - just my lack of attention and forgetting to hone it every now and then.

Will still have a look around for a 6/8 straight - probably from a uk online shop (invisible edge is where I got the original razor).

Thanks for your help & I'll post what I end up buying - cheers, Ed

Wacker 7/8 or 8/8 blade, sharpened to perfection, once used you'll never go back.

My personal choices would be a Ralf Aust or a Revisor.
They should serve you well.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pundi6446

Wacker 7/8 or 8/8 blade, sharpened to perfection, once used you'll never go back.

---

My second razor was a 7/8 wacker, it's my favorite so far, got it honed to perfection at a shave meet last year and I now use it almost exclusively.

Try a Boker. You won't be disappointed.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by island

The 5/8 Dovo is a full hollow grind - should I be looking at a more wedge shaped grind? What are the benefits of a large blade? Is 7/8 too big?

---

You should be interested in experiencing something totally different, not in brand names so much but in shapes and grinds.
Only that way will you really know what you like the best.
If I were you I would lean towards a 7/8 wedge or even a 6/8's but for sure a wedge grind.
Any brand name properly honed wedge will give you a totally unique shaving experience.

Somebody already said it, but there are some decent ones in the classifieds here on SRP.

I would like to throw in another vote for a nice vintage blade! There are lots of great ones out there, try taking a look at the classified section for one that is shave ready. As also recommended, I would go for a different grind to try new things! That is where I got my first blade after wanting to expand out from my Dovo 5/8 round point:) My second straight was a half hollow square point from the early 1900s.

I have had Bokers, Dovo's and Austs. I presently own 2 6/8 Austs and they hold their edge better then any another razor except my Mastro Livi's. The price is right also.