Thread: NOS Dorko quarter hollow

Update Based on New Info: A knowledgeable and keen-eyed member (BobH) was kind enough to discreetly point out to me via PM that the pin at the spacer end of this razor doesn't match the style of the other two pins. The pin at the spacer end is likely original, but the pivot pin and "third" pin are modern nail head style pins that were likely added much more recently. Based on this, I suspect this razor actually was an NOS Dorko, but had a new "third pin" added to jazz up the price and perceived prestige, and while they were at it, they replaced the pivot pin with the same modern pin style. I didn't catch it.

So the razor is NOS only in the sense that the blade itself has never seen a hone. But in terms of being an original, untampered-with, honest-to-gawd 3-pin Dorko - not so much. I think the wrapper, vinyl case, scales, and blade are probably all original. But the scales and pins have definitely been tampered with. I have seen many Dorkos with factory third pins, but I don't think this guy is one of them.

I post this so that others can learn when buying razors advertised as NOS. I am not disappointed in the razor, as I paid $145 shipped which is about the price of a modern Dovo or Boker midrange, and this is real vintage Dorko steel. And it's a great shaver! But as far as collector value, it just isn't there. I was buying it as a shaver rather than collector piece, but it would have been nice had it really been all original.

Caveat emptor.

---------------------------------

I've been on a small buying spree lately, focused on good Solingen razors. While I love all razors, I seem to have gravitated to the heavier 19th century British grinds as my favorites, along with a few nice French and Japanese hollow grinds. And an American razor or two because...America.

I snagged this NOS Dorko 3-pin recently off eBay. When it arrived and I had big fun taking it out of the old wrapper, I was surprised to see it was a quarter grind, almost a wedge. This was a bonus for me, as most Solingen razors I've seen have paper-thin super precise grinds, and I have a soft spot for the heavier grinds. So I was very eager to try it out.

It was more difficult to hone than I expected. My first attempt was disappointing and I didn't get the edge I wanted, so I went back to the stones and tried again. The second time worked out much better, and I got a fantastic shave this morning. Eerily quiet, smooth, and efficient. I normally like a 6/8ths, this is a 5/8ths, but it punches above it's weight and handles like a sports car. We'll see how my edge holds up.

I suspect the reason for the NOS status of this razor is that it may be a leftover "second" from Dorko, because there is an odd fold or blemish along the left side of the spine that I have annotated in one of the photos. But I used tape and it didn't affect the honing or stropping, and it shaves like a dream, so no complaints. The scales have some minor discoloration near the pins that I feared was rust, but I suspect is ink bleed from the red Dorko wrapper for many years. I'm guessing this is a 1950s or 1960s razor, just because the scales are straight plastic.

This razor was my first time using Kapton tape for honing, and other than being harder to cut and put on than electrical tape, I really liked the Kapton tape. It preserved the feel on the stone of not using tape at all. Thank you to Euclid440 for the pro tip on the Kapton tape.

Beautiful razor. Wish more razors still had the origin boxes and papers with them, even if they were not NOS. Part of the history.
Gotta like unwrapping that VCI paper on an old razor.
One of these days!

Minor details like the type of pin have no effect on the performance of the razor, but many of us are as particular about the appearance of our razors as we are about the quality of our edges. If details are important to you, deal with them. If not, uses your razor for the purpose it was intended. Happy shaving!