Thread: New Dovo razor, not quite sharp enough?

Originally Posted by Decco

So I sent it back to the Invisible Edge for honing (before I recieved this advise) but I wasn't satisfied with the results. However, it did seem somewhat sharper than before so I tried to shave with it as it was without stropping but it still hurt like hell and I couldn't get a close shave with it even across the grain. So half way through I tried stropping it but I didn't notice any improvement. This is very frustrating! As far as I can see I'm doing everything right. Do you think if I sent it to one of these members they could get it even sharper for me? Although it's popping of some hairs at mid range, I did the the same test with a blade out of a disposable razor and it was popping off hairs much more readily, so I still think it needs to be sharper.

Whereabouts are you in the UK? Maybe there is someone near to you that could help. Let us know and I'm sure someone will be in touch

just set the bevel bought several open razors all said shave ready none had the bevel set,i do it with an 8000 takes about 30 min or so i reverse hone in circles applying gentle pressure alternate either end so centre doesnt get over done,you know when you get there gets sharp all at once then barely any pressure 2x up and down reverse hone and then super gentle2x blade lead,razor easy after that just 35 strops normaly okafter a while you will find shave gets rough just gently re establish bevel takes very little time 30 seconds or less no pressure,dont use paste i dont or would,oh make sure you keep the hone super clean at the end few strokes.Watch out for false positives, you can make a razor sharp without getting bevel set but its no good.

I got my dovo from SRD and they (Lynn Abrams honed it )and it was "shave ready" not just factory sharp. so the Dovo needs it done , the factory edge is not ready ,, and like the other advice send it to gssixgun , the hair on your face will throw up a white flag and run ! this I know from experience too good luck tc

have you been able to get hold of a honer in your neighbourhood, and got it honed yet? if so let us know if the results are satisfying to you and if your first shave of it is what you expected. greets

Originally Posted by blueprinciple

Just to clarify, Dovo Razors UK are part of The Invisible Edge. We supply all razors shave ready in that they all pass the HHT before despatch (obviously we cannot test-shave them!) and we say we 'check' the edges because to say they are all fully honed would be wrong - after all, it makes no sense to re-set a perfectly good bevel when all that is needed is a few strokes on a 12k!
True, most factory edges are not quite up to snuff, which is why we check each one. Not to cast aspersions but many newcomers think edges aren't sharp enough when really it's basically lack of practice. Also stropping is not a skill learned overnight! We do supply all razors ready for use, as stated, - but we have no magic formula for keeping them that way, that's down to the owner.

I would just add that I've bought a TI from Steve at Invisible Edge and had 3 vintage and 1 Dovo razors honed by him. All, without exception have come back to me in a true shave ready condition. I didn't strop them for that first shave but subsequently have stropped them both before and after each shave. I have noticed that as my shaving technique improves they seem to get sharper. Obviously as I haven't done anything apart from strop on leather this can't be true but I've definitely noticed an improvement in pressure and angle during my shaves as confidence improves.