Choosing new Dovo

[Steadfast]

I've gotten pretty comfortable with my DE shaves and for some strange reason, I've decided I want to swim in the deep end and give straights a shot.

I've ordered the ruprazor starter set since it's such a good deal and if I do in fact enjoy and get the hang of straights, I'm looking ahead to my first non-Gold Dollar purchase.

I know vintage is the way to go, but I also want something new and shiny as well. With that in mind, I'm looking at the following Dovos:

Red Bismark:
http://www.vintagebladesllc.com/vshop/xcart/product.php?productid=76&cat=132&page=1

Silver Steel:
http://www.vintagebladesllc.com/vshop/xcart/product.php?productid=575&cat=132&page=1

To my untrained eye, they blades look to be the same except for the cosmetics and etching, am I correct in this assessment?

I read joel's glowing reviews on the shave quality of the Tortise Special so I'm hoping that I only have to choose based on aesthetics and they'll all shave equally well.

Is there anything else I should be considering? Budget could go up to $150ish (yay tax returns).

Thanks!

 

[LaughingAtFate]

The blades are somewhat different, Notice the size of the blade, The Bismarck is 6/8ths, the Silver steel is 5/8ths, Also, the Bismarck has a slightly different blade in that it doesn't have any stabilisers or jimps, it does however have a humpback and possibly a thumb notch , I would imagine it would possibly have a slightly different grind profile
They also seem to have different types of steel making up the blade itself. Heck, even the weighting would be significantly different.

in short, there's a world of difference between these two razors. but having said that, they both are wonderful devices, beautiful, and sweet shavers. the difference is how they feel in your hands, the Aesthetics aside, which feels 'better' in your hands when you shave, Do you prefer jimps on the tang, or do you prefer a thumb-notch. Do you prefer a standard 5/8ths weight blade, or a heavier 6/8ths?
Having not had much to do with straights, it may be difficult to determine this without getting caught up in SRAD. but well, That's the way it works I guess

 

[Steadfast]

Good points! Massive fail on my part not even noticing the size difference
Thanks for pointing out the details that I missed. Gives me that much more reading to do!

SRAD scares me, but not enough to not try. It seems like if I get something I hate, easy enough to sell or trade it off in BST.

 

[JeffE]

It seems like if I get something I hate, easy enough to sell or trade it off in BST.

Ha, that is exactly the same sort of reasoning that gets everyone started on SRAD!! "Oh sure, I can quit anytime. Just as soon as I get something I don't like, I'll just sell it on the B/S/T. Oooo, is that the new TI razor in tortise?! I've never tried one of those, and in fairness, I should find out if the TI's shave better than the Dovos." And so forth.

Anyway, excellent choice to buy from Jim and Vintage Blades. He's an awesome guy and a gentleman, and his prices kick ***, in my humble opinion.

If you want my two cents, BTW, get the 6/8 razor. You'll get used to the size very quickly, and then you'll see how much more useful the 6/8 is when you use it a lot.

 

[English]

The steels are quite different.

In the DOVO range, I have found that their Carbon steel is softer than their Silver steel. It feels softer on the skin. The advantage of silver steel is that it retains an edge for longer. Some makers like Thiers Issard or the old Puma's use silver steels that seem to marry the two qualities successfully but they are at least twice the price.

Gimps are important especially the ones on the underside of the handle of the blade. They privide grip for your thumb when you are stropping the blade and help to prevent your thumb slipping towards the blade. I wouldn't like the Bismark if the underside gimps are missing it will not be comfortable to hold when stropping.

The other feature that helps when shaving is a good mirror finish on the blade. It allows water, lather and skin oils to wash off the blade more easily.

I actually think that at the price level you are looking at, the imitation tortoiseshell razor will be the best balanced and most comfortable razor to use. It seems to have all the desirable features that a razor should have. I don't know why, but as you go more upmarket with some the DOVO range, they seem to forget to do some of the desireable detail finishing.

Anyway, I am a bit of a traditionalist and that particular razor ticks all the boxes and looks to be great value. 5/8" is the most popular by a mile. The manufacturers make more 5/8" than any other size. The 6/8" has the advantage of a little more weight if you have an unusually heavy beard but you sacrifice the ease of use particularly under the nose area but you gain a wider blade which means you have to wipe the blade less frequantly during a shave. Barbers liked wider blades because for them time is money. As you have seen above though some guys love them.

Anyway, some things with razors are very subjective and you need to try different sizes to see which one suits you best and that is part of the fun .
But on modern razors if there is no mirror finish or gimps, you really should ask why.

 

[Steadfast]

And this is why I love B&B.

More good points, gents. I, obviously, do not know what to look for and now that it's been mentioned, the blade shape and handling is pretty significant. Of course I checked out the toe and the edge because that's what immediately draws attention when I should have been paying attention to the shank and gimps since that's where my hands will be.

I'm removing that red Bismarck from consideration and adding the Tortise Special as recommended.

Thanks!

 

[leighton]

Already bit by the bug.

I'd get the silver steel one if its indeed made of a different steel.

 

[netsurfr]

Already bit by the bug.

I'd get the silver steel one if its indeed made of a different steel.

+1 on the silver steel