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Thread: DOVO vs. Miller

  1. #21
    Still hasn't shut up PuFFaH's Avatar
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    Tony
    Not being a novice at SR shaving, I know how a strop should work and tried to use the Latigo as it came, but found it too oily and uneven. I could not have used it as it was for long without getting to the stage of sending it back. Not wanting to give up on what is a fine piece of leather and your quality workmanship, I decided to try and rectify this problem. On the whole it has worked and in no way would I part with it now. It is too good to send back to you....it's mine I tell ya!!
    The Honey is possibly a different matter, stretch in a strop is not the best idea, but this is still a work in progress and will not be returned.
    Like I said, I was just unluky with the leather.

    If anyone reading these posts feels that Tony does not supply good products, then you have read them wrong. I in no way condem Tonys workmanship or products. We are dealing with natural materials here and as such, variation can accure from time to time. Tony maintains a no quibble returns policy so there is no gamble imo.
    I have offered advice and experiance on this matter to inform the potential buyer what to look for, but in effect I have put the proverbial foot in it. Tony can't try every strop out that leaves his workshop, so he can not be blamed for the way a cow decides to grow it's skin.
    My sincere appology Tony for putting this on public forum. My only excuse is, I felt there was no problem. (if you buy a natural product you should not be supprised by its variations, this is why I did'nt return them)

    PuFF

    p.s. I still feel I need to say more in Tonys defence

  2. #22
    Senior Member Tony Miller's Avatar
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    Puff,
    No hard feelings at all and surely no further apologies needed, really. I know you are very experienced with strops and had set expectaions. These were not quite it, either the leathers in general or maybe this was a poor example. No worries, you voiced an honest concern with your particular strops and I only wished I knew up front so I could have helped. That was my only beef. You spent hard earned money and should have exactly what you wanted.

    I appreciate you coming forward and clearing up your thoughts and any suggestions are taken to heart by me. I have added, changed and deleted products based on feedback just like yours. It is appreciated.

    Now, the project for 2007 is to grow consistant cows <g>. It is a battle finding leather I like and this is why certain choice appear and vanish at random from my website. I just got a beautiful Latigo hide here (non-returnable) that is useless for strops. It can't even be used for seconds but would make a great briefcase or satchel but not strops.......so, if you see me selling leather on eBay, DON"T BID <g>.

    Puff, enjoy the new year, we are fine!

    Tony
    The Heirloom Razor Strop Company / The Well Shaved Gentleman

    https://heirloomrazorstrop.com/

  3. #23
    Still hasn't shut up PuFFaH's Avatar
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    Appreciate that Tony, big weight off my chest.
    I wish you and your family a fruitfull and happy new year.

    PuFF

  4. #24
    Senior Member Tony Miller's Avatar
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    Puff,
    I have to ask, is that beautiful boat in your avatar yours? I know you have a love for wooden boats.

    Tony
    The Heirloom Razor Strop Company / The Well Shaved Gentleman

    https://heirloomrazorstrop.com/

  5. #25
    Still hasn't shut up PuFFaH's Avatar
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    Yes the boat is mine.
    She is a 36' length on deck, 6'6" draft, 7'6" beam, 1887 GL Watson Gaff Cutter. Pitch pine on grown oak frames and yellow pine decks. All still original from her date of build. VERY RARE! I am ruining her though by installing an engine Poor boat has never had one till I got hold of her The purists will hate us for it.

  6. #26
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    /me does a random dance waiting for his new toys...step...turn...step-step...LEAP!

  7. #27
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    I can't really add much to the conversation since my only strop is the Dovo one from ClassicShaving.com but from such limited experience in dealing with the strop it seems to be working very well for me.
    The padded handle is very nice to hold but you're interested in the 3" wide one which has a ring I believe, not a handle.

    And as for customer service from ClassicShaving, I had a wonderful experience dealing with them
    Highly recommended!

  8. #28
    Senior Member Tony Miller's Avatar
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    Let me just add a nice plug for Classic Shaving's Will Lubrano. I was after a few razors to make a 7 day set from, kind of a mixed bag of related razors. I, a competitor, e-mailed Classic to enquire if any were in shorter supply than others and that there I would start my set. Will e-mailed back that one in particular had only a single example left and he was kind enough to pull it from stock and from the website until I decided if I wanted it. Of course I will be buying it.

    I do much the same thing but remember that Classic is a larger operation and it may not be as easy for them to be as personal for each and every buyer simply because of the volume of enquiries but they have always done a nice job when I have e-mailed or called.

    I don't think you would go wrong buying a strop from either of us if basing this on service alone. Our products may be different but service will be first class at either.

    We are all (me included) very lucky to have such nice resources available to us. We have real dealers like Classic, Vintage Blades, Colleen's soaps, etc.... as well as many smaller individual operations like Billy's Blades, Lynn and the Maestro's razors, Joe Chandler, Matt's brushes, etc.... It's almost like stepping back to the turn of the century (not the most recent one) where each consumer knew his local shop keepers by name, and they knew you. While I have not dealt with all of these people I would not have a moment's hesitation in e-mailing or calling any of them for advice in a purchase. Try doing that with the big mega stores.

    Tony
    The Heirloom Razor Strop Company / The Well Shaved Gentleman

    https://heirloomrazorstrop.com/

  9. #29
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    Well said and even better taken. I'm not sure about the competitor comment though Tony. You may deal in similar product but I consider you in a much different niche from CS. I haven't dealt with the people at CS before, but the stash of shaving goodies I got for Xmas a few weeks ago was all purchased by my wife and sister from them and they have nothing but wonderful things to say about it. Now that I know my wife doesn't have a problem with me spending money on shaving stuff (I think she thought this was a passing fancy) I'll definitely be buying more stuff from them.

    You, on the other hand, sell strops, brushes, razors, and a few other accessories but to perfectly honest you sell HANDMADE strops, a few razors and minimum of other items. Put simply, you're the strop store and they ARE the mega store of the shaving world. At least that's the way I see it...I've never found an equal. as far as selection goes, to rival ClassicShaving. And as far as I'm concerned...if the mega store provides the kind of customer service that ClassicShaving provides then it's OK in my book

  10. #30
    Senior Member AntC's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gawker View Post
    I'm not sure about the competitor comment though Tony. You may deal in similar product but I consider you in a much different niche from CS.


    You, on the other hand, sell strops, brushes, razors, and a few other accessories but to perfectly honest you sell HANDMADE strops, a few razors and minimum of other items. Put simply, you're the strop store and they ARE the mega store of the shaving world.
    He's certainly a competitor, albeit perhaps in a subset of their market, in that some of the sales that he makes might otherwise go to them with the reverse also being true. While I will probably order things Tony may not deal with from them in the future there is a certain amount of lost sales that are experienced based on Tony's products being available. How much competition he represents is a different thing but it's at least one sale

    Personally I like the responsibility and accountability that most craftsman provide with their product. If I have a problem with a strop, for example, purchased from ClassicShaving, even if they're customer service is great, they are ultimately still middle-men in the deal. While I may get a replacement, credit, etc. they have some limitations on what can be done with another manufacturer's product. On the other hand, if I have an issue with one of Tony's strops I know that I will be dealing with the person ultimately responsible for it and the one most capable of providing whatever may resolve it. Given the choice between quality products, I'll always buy direct from someone with that added personal interest in the product over the mega-store even if it results in more effort on my part (placing orders with multiple people to get everything I need, etc.) but that's just me.
    Last edited by AntC; 01-04-2007 at 06:36 PM.

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