Boker King Cutter Qs... Dovo Prima Klang and Micarta Q's also...

[TJoshX]

I am looking to take advantage of the excellent deal going on over at SRD right now where through December 31 they are offering free lifetime honing wiht the purcase of any razor as I am sure a lot of people here already know...

Anyways, I am most curious about the entry level New Production Boker King Cutter. Anyone who has any experience or comments about this blade I would love to here them!

I am looking to purchase 2 razors from SRD, yhe other being a Dovo. Now I have heard very mixed reviews about the New Production Dove line. I hear some people really like them while others (mostly "old school") shavers have nothing really great to say about them. That being said I have had even the "Dovo Haters" unanimously tell me that if I were to buy a Dovo the best blade they have in production right now is the Prima Klang... Ok cool so sounds like I have my two razors picked out, so where does my dilemma come in?

Well, my dilemma lies with the Dovo Ivory Micarta... I am brand new to straight shaving and am looking to purchase these razors and tuck them away until I master shaving and stropping with my starter razor (J.A Henckles 5/8 #16). Ever since I began looking at straights the Micarta has been at the top of my list to get... I dunno why exactly it just really appeals to me. However after talking to many who own(ed) the razor and a lot of forum lurking I continually see these two major comments on the Micarta...

1) It's a gorgeous razor, no pictures do it justice at all. Being said it's been a while since I used it...

2) I use this razor primarily now as my travel razor because of the low maintence involved once it is honed properly...

It seems I have no real great reason to make the Micarta purchase but for some reason I can't get it out of my head. I'm worried it is the girl you thought you always wanted to be with but then when the opportunity came and you took a chance with her you realized she wasn't all you thought she'd be and in the end you gave up something great to chance being with her... in my instance a better razor! I guess I am looking to be slapped and have someone tell me flat out "Don't be a fool, don't get the Micarta!"... Or someone to tell me they use it in a daily rotation and love it.

Anyways, any comments or insights on any of these razors would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers,

Josh

 

[domino]

Check the review section on, SRP for the, Bismarck also.

 

[leighton]

If your going to get a Dovo, better to get a Stainless blade or the Best imho.

Don't know about the new Bokers. No one has sent me one to hone yet. Not terribly curious either.

 

[Jcof3474]

I have the entry level Boker King Cutter 5/8 from SRD, however this is my first and only straight so I can't compare it to anything. The vintage ones are very well regarded so I was just hoping that it would be better than a Dovo entry level straight.


J.

 

[Protocol]

I have the entry level Boker King Cutter 5/8 from SRD, however this is my first and only straight so I can't compare it to anything. The vintage ones are very well regarded so I was just hoping that it would be better than a Dovo entry level straight.


J.

I'm in the same boat. So far, I've only had the balls to take the sideburns off.

 

[English]

Josh,

The problem with straight razors is that once you have owned and used a good one, it is really quite easy to critique a poor razor.

The Dovo micarta is certainly a very attractive looking razor. The blade is made from Swedish stainless steel which holds a good edge and the metal has been cryo treated to try and soften the natural harshness of the metal. It gives a good shave but it is a stiff blade with little foregiveness. What I disliked about the razor was the poor balance in the hand. The micarta scales are thick and bulky and do not balance out the blade well. All in all, a pretty poor razor.

The Dovo prima klang on the other hand and is a light well balanced razor with a soft carbon steel blade that has been well hollowed and gives a close comfortable shave.

I can not comment on the quality of the new Boker "King Cutters". I have a vintage "King Cutter" and it is a quality razor. Somehow I doubt that the modern ones come close.

 

[leighton]

Cryo treatment helps to even out the crystal distribution in the steel. Stainless has that problem and cryo certainly helps with stainless steel. The practical result is a longer lasting/sharper edge.

Does **** with properly heat treated carbon steel through. Don't fall for that sales gimmick.

Unfortunately its true. Once you've gone true vintage.... (or custom)

 

[shyrlock]

I have two Micarta stainless Dovos( one black one white) and they are my daily shavers. I really like the balance and feel of them. They take a great edge, as long as Glen from Gsixgun is the man doing the honing, and they stay sharp. I feel that they give me a very nice smooth shave. By contrast I have three vintage razors that don't work as well for me.
To each his own.
Mike

 

[Redhead]

Hi,
The stainless blade will be best for a beginner. The other two are very flexible blades that are difficult to use when you are first starting out.

Best,
Red

 

[wapi229]

I, too have been eyeing the Micarta. That Zebra stripe just looks awesome! Has anybody had the stripes fade away? Is it like the gold, where sooner or later it will wash away?

I recently bought a Bismarck from SRD, and I like it. But for some reason, I still wish I bought a stainless Micarta. A lot of people express their dislike for "off balance" scales. Now I don't have a ton of experience with many razors. I am pretty new to straight shaving. But out of the 5 I have tried so far, I favor a heavier, robust scale to blade weight ratio. With big hands, a larger, more round scale sounds like the cat's *** to me. I would imagine small hands would prefer a smaller, lighter weight scale, though.

GO for the Micarta! -and tell me how it shaves, I would love to know.

 

[Ookla The Mok]

I'll chime in against the balance of the micarta. The scales are thick and round. I never found a comfort zone stropping or shaving. If it were me, I would get the 5/8 special in tortise. Under $100 and free honing is a no-brainer.

 

[TJoshX]

Thanks everyone for all your thoughtful input! It is greatly appreciated! I placed my order last night and ended up going with the entry level Boker King Cutter and placed a second order with The Art of Shaving for one of their Thiers Issard new production steel razor, I have been told by a number of straight shaving gurus that the AOS TI blades are the same new production steel blades that you get directly from TI only at a fraction of the cost. I paid 135.00 for the AOS TI.

Ultimately I went with the Boker for a few reasons. These two razors are my first "higher end" razor purchase and I decided I want to have some custom scaling done for them to sort of "commemorate" if you will my first purchases. Had I gone with the Prima or the Micarta I would have been a fool to rescale them since the bulk of their price is due to the scaling they come with.

I had 200.00 coming to me to spend over at SRD and also by goign with the Boker I was able to pick up some other goodies! Including some blade oil, preshave oil, I picked up their soap sampler, and some astringent. All in all I am very excited and will keep everyone posted!

Cheers,

Josh

 

[JPM]

Congrats! Hope you enjoy your new purchases.