Dovo straights

[JGKC9AYC]

Are they over-rated?
Are they any better/worse/about the same for a vintage razor that's been restored/shave ready (assuming the total spent on the vintage including restoration = price paid for Dovo)?
Just curious.

 

[Wid]

Some have had bad luck with Dovo razors some haven't. Are they over rated? Oh I don't think so, all I've tried have taken really nice edges.

I you go to a known restorer you could could get a very nice vintage for about the same as a mid priced Dovo. Are they any better? All depends on the razor.

It's kind of an open question imo.

 

[atlanta_hoo]

Are they over-rated?
Are they any better/worse/about the same for a vintage razor that's been restored/shave ready (assuming the total spent on the vintage including restoration = price paid for Dovo)?
Just curious.

So much depends on personal taste of the individual. I have a couple of Dovo's and I find that they give perfectly acceptable shaves. I have restored several vintage razors as well, and they give perfectly acceptable shaves. They are all designed to shave a face. The beauty of this hobby, lifestyle choice, obsession, etc., is that you are able to break free from the slick marketing campaigns from the modern cartridge companies (remember, Gillette is the best a man can get....) and shave the way you want to shave with what you want to.

 

[thatsilverguy]

Everyone should have at least one "new-ish" Dovo Best Quality razor. All other Dovo's I have owned have basically the same blade quality but look fancier.

Every Dovo I own is a great instrument.

YMMV

 

[JGKC9AYC]

I knew after I posted that it was an open question.
Kinda silly of me, but oh well.

 

[jpcwon]

I love my Best Quality, despite the fact that it came slightly warped from the factory. Figuring it was out of my realm (I was new to honing back then), I sent it off to a member to have it honed. He ended up putting a wicked edge on it & it's shaved wonderfully ever since...

 

[atlanta_hoo]

I knew after I posted that it was an open question.
Kinda silly of me, but oh well.

It is not a silly question. I have asked the same thing before. Through trial and error, I have found what works for me.

 

[Bk124tt]

I had a great shave with my Dovo straight on Sunday!

 

[smalltank]

so far only had 1 razor I couldnt re-hone..my wifes grandfathers that had too little steel to be honed on..this waa after sending it to a pro...Dovo's are great shavers and hold really nice edges

 

[Thomas Martin]

I have a Dovo Favorit (notably better than a "Best") with Olivewood scales that I would give away at a good prize. It only has been rarely used and it's a grat shaver. It's a 5/8 and I prefer larger blades, reason why I intend to sell it. PM me if interested.

 

[ridnovir]

If anything they are underrated. In general they make pretty good razors at dissent prices

 

[California Cajun]

Are they over-rated?
Are they any better/worse/about the same for a vintage razor that's been restored/shave ready (assuming the total spent on the vintage including restoration = price paid for Dovo)?
Just curious.

I can't really be fair because that was my "school of hard knocks" razor while I was learning. By the time I tried another brand I had some experience. It's a good razor. I think we're lucky that they are one of the few people who still manufacture straights.

 

[Obiwan]

I have owned several new Dovo razors and found them to be nice quality shavers. YMMV

 

[Giant Kiwi]

I bought a 6/8 Bismarck round christmas.
It's a good shaver and holds a nice edge.

 

[Monsieur Blaireau]

I have a 6/8 Dovo 1226850, which is the "unadorned" version of the Bismarck sold by The Superior Shave. I got mine just before Christmas, too. My point of reference at the time was the vintage Boker I'd started with in September. I wanted to find my own answer to the OP's question, and compare a minty fresh new blade to my old vintage one.

At first, the Dovo edge was pretty rough, and gave me some irritating shaves. I wasn't sure whether that was me or the razor, though. I loaned it to Krodor, to get his opinion. He agreed about the edge, then honed it, shaved with it, and gave it back to me. I shaved with it today, and got one of the better straight shaves I've had since starting with a straight. Like, I'd say top five.

So my opinion has gone from "meh" to "golly."

 

[incucrash]

I have read that they are all the same, the new ones at least. Whether it is "best" or what, the metal is the same, so go cheap, unless you want cool goldwash, scales, etc...

If vintage, be careful and buy it from a fellow member here if you can.

 

[wherndon]

I too bought a 6/8 Bismarck not too long ago, wanted a new razor to compare to my others. I liked that it has no shoulder. I prefer my kitchen knives to be shoulderless so that I can sharpen the whole length. I know that straights are different in this respect, but old habits...
Anyway, my Dovo wasn't advertized as being shave ready, but out of the box, all I have done is strop it, and it shaves as well as my vintage blades. I am happy with mine.
regards,
Bil

Edit: you know, in all the above I didn't really answer your question. For the money you can probably get seversl vintage razors that shave just as well as the Dovo, or any new manufacture, for that matter. It really boils down to a personal preference.

 

[DFSDAILY]

I like my Dovo Natural better than my vintage razors. The grind of their full hollows just sit right with me for some reason.

 

[mikeadams]

I currently have 3 dovos and all shave well. No complaints about 'em.

Steve