Dovo Inox Stainless Steel Handle

Messages
44
Location
Cumbria
I struggled for a long time trying to use a vintage straight razor and eventually gave up and went back to using a safety razor. Some time later and still having the bug, I bought the next best thing - a Feather Artist Club DX. This is extremely sharp and demands a lot of care when using it, but, taking my time and concentrating on technique, I have been successfully using this for some months now and love it!

But I still have the itch for a proper straight razor, so once again dug out my vintage straight which was still shave ready, stropped, and had a shave with it.

I was surprised how easy I now found I could shave with it! I actually found it much easier to use than the FAC. Using the FAC has obviously taught me to use care and technique which I can now apply to the Straight.

So, the point of the post - I'm now looking to get myself a modern straight to use and I'm seriously considering purchasing a Dovo Inox with a stainless steel blade and handle. Has anyone got any experience of this particular model? It's 5/8 and hollow ground, which is good, but how is the weight, the balance, the efficiency, etc? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated, before I make the plunge . Thanks
 
Very nice razor once they have been honed well. Mine shaves a thousand times better after I dropped it because I had to put a whole new bevel on it from scratch.

And there's the problem with that particular model. The scales are really heavy. It doesn't handle particularly well. The balance is off, easy to go in heavy handed, easy to drop. If you drop it, chances are you will do some damage. I dropped mine closed and it still chipped.

In my experience the Böker stainless razors are better. They start with a pretty good bevel and hone up really nicely. The toe is more rounded, which is ideal for a first straight razor.
 
I totally agree with you. They do shave a whole lot better after some geometry correction and some honing gymnastics but they still have a pedestrian "meh" quality about them. I wonder if it is to do with the manufacturing process:


The way the razors are punched into shape out of the blank. (If I understand the video grind is effectively hammered into place, not ground). I realise that this is just an industrial implementation of smithing, but all the same, an artisinal approach forges the blank and then grinds the grind in. That surely keeps the temper along the face better?


What do I know. I am not a razor maker.
 
Back
Top Bottom