I'm trying out all the new razors that arrived in the last couple of weeks so they're just getting one day each at the moment. Anyway, this morning was the turn of the Dovo Bergischer Lowe. It came with a nice thin coat of oil on the blade so I wiped it and gave it 20 laps on linen and 50 laps on tleather and then proceeded to shave with it. Now I'm pretty forgiving if an edge isn't absolutely spot on, as I hone my own (although that is changing as my honing is getting reasonably good these days) but this thing was quite blunt. I did two passes which on a sharp razor will give me a DFS. I'm sitting here about 3 hours after I shaved, feeling my stubble. Apart from that, I really liked the feel of the razor. It felt comfortable in the hand and the 5/8 blade literally zipped around the face. It is very manouverable and that point is great for getting into hard to reach spots like under the nose.
Dovo Bergischer Lowe. Underwhelmed by factory hone
- Thread starter johnmrson
- Start date
Its a nice looking razor, for sure. Did you pick it up shave-ready? Dovo isnt renown for excellent edgest fresh from the factory.
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- #3
It came with the factory edge which is meant to be shave ready although I notice places like Classic Shaving do offer them with a professional hone for a few extra dollars.
Ive never heard of the Dovo edge being shave ready from factory - nearly ready, and just needing a touchup often - but are you sure theyre factory shave-ready?
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- #5
This is from the Dovo website
5. The straight razor I bought a short time ago no longer shaves properly. Do I have to whet it, and how often is this necessary?
DOVO straight razors are whetted in the factory for use (whetting on leather by hand). If you own a suitable strop, you should nevertheless take into account that the razor must first "rest" after use. After the razor has been carefully rinsed and dried, it should not be used again for at least 24 - 48 hours because the fine "fin" on the cutting edge straightens up again extremely slowly. If the razor is stropped too soon (or stropped incorrectly by moving it backwards and forwards without turning it over), the "fin" which is necessary for a close shave breaks off. Between six and fifteen shaves are possible without stropping in between.
I took that to mean that it's shave ready if it's been stropped.
I have yet to experience a factory edge, Dovo, TI or various NOS razors I've purchased that didn't need some time on the hones.
If you bought a Dovo with a factory edge I would be surprised if you were able to open an envelope with it.
I received one from Jarrod at The Superior Shave last week. I can hone to my satisfaction, but I always like to buy a honed razor to see the skill level of the seller- Jarrod's edge (he charges a whopping five bucks)was very nice indeed.
I'm also going to guess that you paid more than I did. His price, with the B&B discount, looks like a misprint.
I think the BL is a very nice razor. Some of the pictures can make it look excessively flashy, but it's a stately, subdued looking razor that oozes class. I feel as if I should wear a tux when I use it.
I received one from Jarrod at The Superior Shave last week. I can hone to my satisfaction, but I always like to buy a honed razor to see the skill level of the seller- Jarrod's edge (he charges a whopping five bucks)was very nice indeed.
I'm also going to guess that you paid more than I did. His price, with the B&B discount, looks like a misprint.I think the BL is a very nice razor. Some of the pictures can make it look excessively flashy, but it's a stately, subdued looking razor that oozes class. I feel as if I should wear a tux when I use it.
John,
Let me know what you think of this blade long-term...been eyeballing one for a couple of years now...might ask the wifey for it for Christmas!
Let me know what you think of this blade long-term...been eyeballing one for a couple of years now...might ask the wifey for it for Christmas!
My first razor was brand new Dovo best quality. While it was sharp enough from the factory to cut arm hairs and actually shave with, it was less than comfortable. Only after my second razor, a whippeddog straight from Larry did I realize my Dovo was definitely not honed to "shave ready" standard.
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- #10
It's going into the "to be honed" pile. I might as well add the Dovo Bismark, the Filarmonica (although that's not too bad) and the TI Sheffield as they're all new. It looks like the Friodur, Le Grelot and Mastro Livi get a second run this week.
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- #12
Poor you
It is a tough choice. When is the Wostenholm frameback going to get used next? I really like the Puma but it's had a couple of turns. Then there is the nice W&B than Ambrose restored for me or the beautiful undream restored John Barber wedge. I'm not even going to think about the second Le Grelot, the couple of ivory scaled blades or the matched pair of Joseph Rogers.
Dunny, you have no idea how tough it is being me.
It is a tough choice. When is the Wostenholm frameback going to get used next? I really like the Puma but it's had a couple of turns. Then there is the nice W&B than Ambrose restored for me or the beautiful undream restored John Barber wedge. I'm not even going to think about the second Le Grelot, the couple of ivory scaled blades or the matched pair of Joseph Rogers.
Dunny, you have no idea how tough it is being me.
If your house is robbed, it wont be me, I promise
Unfortunately no, that does not mean it comes in shave ready condition from the factory. As others said, as a general rule of thumb, you can safely assume that anything direct from the factory is not shave ready. I have found this to be the case even with razors from smaller vendors/independents (read Revisor, Livi, et al).
Hone it, and you will find it gives a fantastic shave.
If your house is robbed, it wont be me, I promise
But that guy running out the door with a Livi in his hand just as you get there....that guy will be me!
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