Yesterday I dropped by a well known men's clothing retailer on Bloor Street in Toronto. They had been expecting to start stocking straights. To my delight they had a nice selection of Dovo products on hand plus a very pleasant and knowledgable gent representing the importer who is locally based. The salesman at the shop, Adam, was enthusiastic and hustling to learn the new product line. After years of watching local straight stockists disappear it was refreshing to see a new major retailer join the game and do so with class.
I departed the shop with a Dovo Natural Bamboo in hand along with a complementary razor stand. The package was competitive in price to many online sources with the advantage of an exceptional buying experience.
The overall finish on the blade is excellent with some minor issues on the spine where a hone would contact it on sharpening. All markings are clean and well aligned. The pins and overall fit/scale alignment are spot on exceeding that of my Dovos from the late nineties. It puts my Wacker to shame and also exceeds the finish of some of my more expensive Thiers Issard. The razor has a light feel in hand due to the bamboo scales.
Dovo, as do others, claim it to be shave ready. Most of my razors, including a Wacker, failed on this claim. I tested the razor with a quick run. I was in a rush so prep time was lacking. The factory oil was rinsed off and the razor put to use without stropping. Poraso pre shave cream, Bigelow cream, Simpson M7 Ivory Fleck Manchurian (thank you Mark@Simpsons), fast WTG, ATG, no touchups, with near BBS result. Nice balance, fast handling, comfortable feel. Shave ready without a doubt.
I am going to be expanding my collection and my experience with the Natural now has me eying several Dovo straights.
If you are after a factory new straight the Dovo Natural is a good overall value worthy of consideration.
I departed the shop with a Dovo Natural Bamboo in hand along with a complementary razor stand. The package was competitive in price to many online sources with the advantage of an exceptional buying experience.
The overall finish on the blade is excellent with some minor issues on the spine where a hone would contact it on sharpening. All markings are clean and well aligned. The pins and overall fit/scale alignment are spot on exceeding that of my Dovos from the late nineties. It puts my Wacker to shame and also exceeds the finish of some of my more expensive Thiers Issard. The razor has a light feel in hand due to the bamboo scales.
Dovo, as do others, claim it to be shave ready. Most of my razors, including a Wacker, failed on this claim. I tested the razor with a quick run. I was in a rush so prep time was lacking. The factory oil was rinsed off and the razor put to use without stropping. Poraso pre shave cream, Bigelow cream, Simpson M7 Ivory Fleck Manchurian (thank you Mark@Simpsons), fast WTG, ATG, no touchups, with near BBS result. Nice balance, fast handling, comfortable feel. Shave ready without a doubt.
I am going to be expanding my collection and my experience with the Natural now has me eying several Dovo straights.
If you are after a factory new straight the Dovo Natural is a good overall value worthy of consideration.
