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

[island]

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

[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.

[pundi6446]

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.

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.

[ChopperDave]

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

[pathology101]

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.

[island]

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

[Ernie1980]

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.

[jkatzman]

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.

[bouschie]

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

[OCDshaver]

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.