Thread: New Boker Blues

I have been shaving with a DOVO Bismarck and a DOVO Micarta for a few months now. I would say that, so far, I am more fond of the Micarta. Maybe it is due to the Micarta's 5/8 size, instead of the Bismarck's 6/8. Or maybe the stainless Micarta is a bit stronger during the shave....or maybe it is all psychological.

Anyhow...I just got a Boker King Cutter in the mail from SRD and took it for a test shave. Yikes! The first pass was very uneasy. It felt like my first time shaving with a straight. I didn't feel it was as close as the shaves with my Micarta. I will say that the second and third pass were nice (especially on the neck). After the Boker shave, I noticed a significant increase in razor burn and red spotting on my face.

All of my straights are honed and shave ready (I know that isn't the problem) Has anyone else noticed that they get different results using different razors? Am I just on the Boker learning curve?

Every razor is different, and that's the fun in this endeavor Usually it'll take a couple shaves before you learn the nuances of a any new razor.

Originally Posted by red96ta

Every razor is different, and that's the fun in this endeavor Usually it'll take a couple shaves before you learn the nuances of a any new razor.

Agreed. I would also say that you got used to the shaving edges that are on you other razors, not one that has come fresh from the bench of a honemeister. Just remember to use a lighter touch, it will probably shave very well indeed.

Originally Posted by HoldFast

...I didn't feel it was as close as the shaves with my Micarta. ... After the shave, I noticed a significant increase in razor burn and red spotting on my face...

Some razors seem to need a little different angle than others. Even ones that are the same size, manufacturer and model.

In this case, since the first pass wasn't as smooth as usual, I bet your new razor needs a little more of an upright angle than your other 5/8 razor. I bet you automatically compensated by using a tiny bit of pressure without realizing (or feeling it) and the extra pressure is what caused the extra razor burn.

To find the correct angle (with a full hollow), I start pretty flat to my face, then increase the angle until I hear it cutting well (sounds like buttering burnt toast).

ps: Is the grind on your Boker any more hollow than the grind on your Dovo in the same size ? (ie: is the spot that the taper stops and edge becomes paper thin any closer to the spine ?)

Well, I don't know. Yes every razor feels a little different and if you are going from a 5/8s to 8/8s wedge it might take a mite of adaption but in either case you should not be having to change angles and you should not have issues with discomfort. You didn't say how long you have been shaving. Maybe inexperience is a factor? If you are not getting good results and you know it's not you then that leaves the blade.

It's like driving a car. If you are a competent driver you just don't have the ability to drive one car. You can get into anything within reason and just drive.

Originally Posted by JohnG10

ps: Is the grind on your Boker any more hollow than the grind on your Dovo in the same size ? (ie: is the spot that the taper stops and edge becomes paper thin any closer to the spine ?)

That's what I was thinking as well.

Freshly honed and fully hollow will make a difference. I can't comment on new Boker's but my vintage King Cutter is great, and really holds an edge

I have 3 razors, a dovo renaissance 6/8, a dovo 5/8 ice tempered stainless steel, and a bartmann 5/8 silversteel.
The dovo 5/8 was my first, and as I didn't know much about straight shaving at the time (i started it because I only shaved once a week, and was fed up with the safety razor being full of hair and refusing to shave after 3cm) it took quite a while before i got it nice and sharp. In the mean time, i bought the renaissance, and got nice shaves of it, and the 5/8 was left asside.
Then i learned proper honing on a coticule, and got the bartmann from a barber who didn't use it anymore (learned to shave with a straight at the beginning of his career, but was only cutting hair, and didn't like straight shaving), and i started getting it sharp (was used to cut cardboard...), and when succeeding, also got the 5/8 in a sharp state.
Meanwhile, I was so used to the renaissance, that the 5/8 felt weird. What, to me, made the biggest difference, was the difference in weight between the two blades. The 5/8 weighs much less, and therefor I automatically compensated by pushing harder, wich has, as mentioned before, quite a negative effect. The renaissance has more inertion, and so I get the feeling it will cut throught the hairs by it's own weight, but with the 5/8 I didn't get that impression.
Wich is a wrong impression... So since I've learned to control the pressure and the angle with the 5/8, i'm getting great shaves off it too.

Different razors don't feel the same in your hand, and so you automatically change the way you use it, and yet you shouldn't...

Thanks for the replies. To be honest...I don't know the ground on the Boker. The description on SRD says it is hand ground, but doesn't specify if it is full or half (it is certainly not a wedge). I will give the Boker blade a closer look tonight. My DOVOs are both full hollow.

I think it was probably too much pressure on my part. I will be giving it another go tonight and will be a bit more aware of my actions, so I can have a more objective perspective. I think I need to give the blade a chance.

I have been straight shaving for about 3 months. Although, my technique is still improving, I could recognize that the first pass was odd enough to put up a post here. I'm still developing a sense for what a "Shave ready" razor feels like when shaving.

Thanks for your opinions and best guesses guys. It'll take a lot more than a little red skin to get me to quit!

Ok. So I shaved with the Boker King Cutter for a second time. It was much better than the first. Some of the things I did differently that may have led to a positive, smooth shave...

1. I was very careful about the angle of the blade while shaving (technique development)

2. I used a bowl to lather my cream, rather than go directly to my face. I think this let the cream get rich and thick, as well as make sure there was enough water in the lather.

3. I did 3 passes. My neck and jaw line have never been smoother. Now if I can just figure out the chin and corners of the mouth!

4. I took my time and made an attempt to limit the pressure I put on the blade when it came into contact with my face.

Thanks for your advice fellas. If I keep this up, I may need to add some Bokers to my DOVO rotation.

It may be me but I think my Boker requires a lighter touch then my Dovo