Originally Posted by
Horvath421
Hi James!
Thanks for getting back to me about this.
I have had the Dovo Forestal blade sharpened and repaired at this site. When I got it back I put it down for about a year as I said. Then after success with the shavette, I tried the Dovo again. I stropped it about 10 times on both sides before and after. I notice that with the shavette, there was no problem shaving my upper lip but with the Dovo, it didn't work no matter what angle I tried. The Dovo did seem to work on my neck and throat area when the angle was extremely small (2 degrees?). I would say my beard is about medium. I have tried St. James Pre-Shave Oil and liked it and I will try that again with the Dovo.
I suspect that this blade is not up to it compared to other blades that people are using here.
I read here, I think, that chromium oxide paste is safer to use than diamond paste. Both are offered at this site's companion, Straight Razor Designs.
I will eventually try honing a cheap razor just to learn. I have an upcoming hand tool woodworking class in May 2016 with Roy Underhill and will be learning how to sharpen chisels. At least this will give me an introduction to the whetstones, and sharpening steel. He is a purist so they will probably be Arkansas whetstones. A friend who was my roommate back in 1962 at a military academy is now a master craftsman knife making blacksmith. I think he is now above journeyman. His work is beautiful!
Traditional straight razors, sharpening and shaving that way is a great hobby! What kind of razor are you using?
Thanks again!
Phil