First SR - Questions about the quality on a new DOVO N.2 Black Duke

[fft_phase]

Hello

After a decade of using safety razors I finally took the plunge and got a SR. Excited for my first shave and learning about SR. I just received my new SR in the mail, but unfortunately I have some questions regarding the quality. I have no experience judging the quality of a SR, thus reaching out for advice.

I got the DOVO No.2 Black Duke on sale. It came packaged as expected. Looks very nice and came with oil on the blade. I imagine that's to preserve it while its packaged. However, there seems to be some manufacturing flaws or the SR is potentially refurbished. One flaw that caught my attention was a lack of burnishing at the point along the spine.

Looking at the photos the missing burnishing can be seen. I'm aware that with honing and maybe even stropping the burnishing will scratch off, noticeably along the spine, but the missing burnishing is below the spine and does not appear to be from honing. Also, besides my dirty fingerprints that are very visible because of the oil, I noticed a few other potential flaws.

One, the spine is at different positions along the blade. In one of the images, you can see the left-side is positioned higher than the right.
Two, The silver logo on the face is angled and not parallel with the blade. I'm laughing writing this down, but it's still one more imperfection that caught my attention.


Does anyone have experience with the DOVO no.2 Black Duke or DOVO SR in general, and could comment on these observations.
Is this atypical of a DOVO SR or am I expecting an unrealistic level of precise-engineering?

Any other feedback on the perceived condition of the SR would be appreciated.

Besides that, haven't shaved yet. Still need to get a cheap strop for learning.

Thanks!

 

[Acmemfg]

I'd get in touch with Jarrod at The Superior Shave. He has probably forgotten more about Dovo razors than most people know.
I had one of those black finished razors not too long ago. Shaved ok...did not care for the aesthetics

 

[Gamma]

Looking at the photos the missing burnishing can be seen. I'm aware that with honing and maybe even stropping the burnishing will scratch off, noticeably along the spine, but the missing burnishing is below the spine and does not appear to be from honing.

Don't know what the burnisihing you are talking about is exactly.
It's not a commonly used term for describing razor-related appearance.

But if burnishing is missing, then it can't be seen.
If it is missing - how can it scratch off?
How can the location (below the spine) be determined if it is missing?

Maybe you mean the sorta flat polished line from honing and how it looks different than the rest of the blade.
That is hone wear, it's normal.

 

[silverlifter]

I'd say that spot below the spine at the toe is where the exposed blade has rubbed against the packaging as the razor was jostled around.

The other imperfections are pretty typical of Dovo's newer razors.

 

[fft_phase]

Looking at the photos the missing burnishing can be seen. I'm aware that with honing and maybe even stropping the burnishing will scratch off, noticeably along the spine, but the missing burnishing is below the spine and does not appear to be from honing.

Don't know what the burnisihing you are talking about is exactly.
It's not a commonly used term for describing razor-related appearance.

But if burnishing is missing, then it can't be seen.
If it is missing - how can it scratch off?
How can the location (below the spine) be determined if it is missing?

Maybe you mean the sorta flat polished line from honing and how it looks different than the rest of the blade.
That is hone wear, it's normal.

Hey Gamma, when I say burnishing I am making reference to the black coating on the blade, which is from the burnishing process, i.e. black oxidation. See Black oxide - Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_oxide
The black coating below the spine appears rubbed off.

I'm guessing I should send the razor to someone specialized in honing ?

 

[fft_phase]

I'd say that spot below the spine at the toe is where the exposed blade has rubbed against the packaging as the razor was jostled around.

The other imperfections are pretty typical of Dovo's newer razors.

Those other imperfections are they an issue or mainly aesthetic?

 

[helicopter]

If I had purchased that, I don't think I would be concerned at all. I am quite happy with my four new Dovos. They are relatively inexpensive for a new Solingen straight, and they get the job done. It isn't a $375 razor.

Get yourself a cheap Fromm Illinois strop and start your journey. By the time you learn to hone it, none of those imperfections will matter.b

 

[silverlifter]

Those other imperfections are they an issue or mainly aesthetic?

Purely aesthetic.

 

[Gamma]

Hey Gamma, when I say burnishing I am making reference to the black coating on the blade, which is from the burnishing process, i.e. black oxidation. See Black oxide - Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_oxide
The black coating below the spine appears rubbed off.

I'm guessing I should send the razor to someone specialized in honing ?

I would be less confused with reading "there are areas without oxide coating".
Burnishing, in a general sense, just means polish, or possibly plastic deformation of steel.
In BO coating, I think burnishing is the process.
I thought maybe you meant the spine wear where the coating was ground off.
Now that I"m viewing on my laptop I can see the spotty coating.

Personally, if I wanted a black blade, I wouldn't want one with a spotty finish. I think the vendor should have pointed that out to you to see if it was ok to send it as it is. Full disclosure is a big key to credibility. Expecting people to just accept whatever shows up in their mailbox is b/s. Maybe the vendor didn't see it. I would not be happy regardless.

That said - the finish will probably wear off in spots with use anyway. The missing coating won't interfere with shaving. Perhaps the corrosion resistance might be impacted to some minor degree.
Visually though....sort of sketchy I think.

Yes, get it honed - send it to @Bayamontate - he can hook you up.

 

[Frank Shaves]

Welcome!

Bismarck was a company that made very nice razors. Dove bought Bismarck and has continued to make this Bismarck model. The current Dovo Bismarck models have gold plating on the tang. Go to dovo.com to see the current model.

I own a 4-year old Dovo Bismarck. These are good razors. Mine is flawless.

I think your razor is an earlier version of the Dovo Bismarck. Should be a good razor.

It is not uncommon for new razors that have been sitting around for a while to have small amounts of black oxide on the blade. This is often only a cosmetic issue. You see this a lot with new old stock (NOS) razors from the 1950s and 1960s. The pictures are not clear enough for me to clearly see any imperfections in your razor.

I would send the razor to a reputable person for honing and enjoy the razor.

 

[fft_phase]

Update. The DOVO was sent back to the retailer. They immediately agreed it is flawed and will provide me with a replacement.
I guess I have time to get a strop now. =)

Thanks all for your feedback.

 

[Frank Shaves]

Not sure where you are located, but I can recommend Matt at Griffith Shaving Goods for both new and restored razors. Matt is a reputable seller who does great work and puts terrific edges on the razors he sells.

 

[fft_phase]

Not sure where you are located, but I can recommend Matt at Griffith Shaving Goods for both new and restored razors. Matt is a reputable seller who does great work and puts terrific edges on the razors he sells.

I've had a look at Griffith Shaving Goods since I was initially thinking of getting a vintage. Not the first time they have been recommended. Decided to get the Dovo since it was on sale for a pretty good price. The DOVO seems like a decent beginner blade based on a collection of anecdotal accounts. My next straight will likely be a vintage. All depending on how much I enjoy shaving with a SR... Consdering how much I enjoy shaving with a safety, I highly doubt I won't enjoy a straight.

 

[helicopter]

I've had a look at Griffith Shaving Goods since I was initially thinking of getting a vintage. Not the first time they have been recommended. Decided to get the Dovo since it was on sale for a pretty good price. The DOVO seems like a decent beginner blade based on a collection of anecdotal accounts. My next straight will likely be a vintage. All depending on how much I enjoy shaving with a SR... Consdering how much I enjoy shaving with a safety, I highly doubt I won't enjoy a straight.

GSG has a ton of Dovos, NOS vintage, and restored shave ready vintage.

 

[Frank Shaves]

The new Thiers Issard 6/8 Le Grelot made from c135 steel are nice razors. Thiers Issard has reputation for shipping some razors with uneven grinds (quality control issue). I would buy one of these razors from Matt, but I would first ask if he has one with an even grind.

 

[H Brad Boonshaft]

Unfortunately, what you experienced is the state of large production straight razors today. Dovo’s quality is a shadow of it’s former self. If you want a stellar Dovo, buy a Vintage, 3 pin, Fritz Bacht Dovo from the mid 40’s, they are the heyday razors of Dovo production, when Bacht took over the company post WWII.

You can find them on-line in the $20-60 price point and are stellar shavers.

Personally, I would not buy a gold plate or blued razor, the finishes are too fragile and scratch or rub off much too easily for daily use.

 

[fft_phase]

Unfortunately, what you experienced is the state of large production straight razors today. Dovo’s quality is a shadow of it’s former self. If you want a stellar Dovo, buy a Vintage, 3 pin, Fritz Bacht Dovo from the mid 40’s, they are the heyday razors of Dovo production, when Bacht took over the company post WWII.

You can find them on-line in the $20-60 price point and are stellar shavers.

Personally, I would not buy a gold plate or blued razor, the finishes are too fragile and scratch or rub off much too easily for daily use.

What does the blued razor mean? I can't seem to find a definition online. The razor I got is this one: Bismarck Black Duke - https://dovo.com/en/razors/straight-razors/bismarck-black-duke/

I was also a little surprise about the handle and the weight. Now again, I don't have any experience or reference point, but the handle/scales is suppose to be an ebony wood. It felt more like plastic and not what I expected for weight. Is this common for wood scales to feel more like plastic since they need to be a composite material to withstand moisture?

 

[H Brad Boonshaft]

Razors have been gold plated and blued, (Gun Blued) for years and likely the Black Prince/Duke is another form of salt bluing.

Dovo says, “The stylish black finish is achieved by an abrasion-resistant burnishing”, but I suspect it is just a blued finish”.

This is the same company that is known to be a bit reckless with the truth, They still claim that “resting” their razors for a few days will rebuild the edge and that their razor are factory “shave ready”.

While they look great, those finishes traditionally are not very durable and just shaving with them can remove the finish where your hand comes in contact with the tang.

The good news is should the finish become scratched and unsightly it can easily be removed completely or near completely without unpinning and buffed to a satin or high finish. I have polished several blued and gold-plated razors.

Ebony can be dyed black, not all ebony is pure black and buffed to a high gloss. The problem with Dovo’s wood scales is they are thick and clunky that makes stropping awkward.

The other good news is that the Bismark line seems to be a bit better ground that the rest of the line, so hopefully you receive a well ground razor, straight razor.

It is a good-looking razor.

 

[fft_phase]

Update for fun.

Never got a replacement DOVO, retailer didn't have one.

Instead I bought two vintage razors a James Bingham Celebrated Congruent and a Bismarck Registered. Much happier with both, and definitely interested in learning how to restore vintage razors.

 

[Frank Shaves]

^
Congrats!

We like pics!