Found this 'Little Rhody' in the wild

[BDF]

I found this razor a few months ago at a local shop but the price was pretty steep. Stopped by today and was surprised to find it still there so negotiated a much more reasonable price and brought it home. It appears to be a Dovo judging by the emblem on the bolsters but it is tagged as a 'Little Rhody' on the tang. It was a bit interesting to me as I live in RI. I don't think the razor was ever honed or used but it does appear that the tang originally had a gold wash that someone buffed off or at least most of it. Overall the razor is in great shape and took a fine edge. Shown here with the box and a Boker King Cutter just for size comparison:

 

[Doc226]

Glad you found it, that is mine, I live in Little Rhody

 

[BDF]

Me too and I've been here longer....

There was another razor right next to that one that I am still thinking about- it was an odd razor with a highly detailed etching on the face side of the blade. The fakey bamboo scales put me off though but otherwise it was in nice shape and sort of interesting.

Brian

Glad you found it, that is mine, I live in Little Rhody

 

[Obiwan]

What a score. I'm jealous. Congrats!

 

[whavens]

It looks a lot like a Dubl Duck Goldedge. Cracked Ice scales and Gold wash tang. From a distance if you put it side with a DD you would be hard pressed to tell the difference.

 

[KW Driver]

It looks a lot like a Dubl Duck Goldedge. Cracked Ice scales and Gold wash tang. From a distance if you put it side with a DD you would be hard pressed to tell the difference.

that's what I was thinking.

 

[BDF]

I just honed a DD and you are right- the three pin scales, the cracked ice scales and the general brass bolsters along with the embedded script in the front scale does all point to a DD razor. But the razor is wider and heavier than the DD's I have seen, and it has that distinct sharp point with a radiused spine end- it really makes me think it might be an Engles razor. But the bolsters have what I think are the Dovo trademarks on both sides. This photo is pretty lousy but does show the trademark emblem burred in the bolsters:


But I am curious about the razor's history so perhaps I can take a ride up to Vogue supply house which is apparently still in business in Providence, RI and see if anyone there either knows where this razor might have come from or be able to find records about it. It is a long shot but I am mildly curious as to the origin of the razor.

As to the practicality, it will be going for its first test- shave in the morning. The razor is larger than what I normally prefer but what kind of a bum would I be if I didn't even give it a shot in rotation? A little soap, a little water.... a little razor sliding and we'll see how we like it overall. Perhaps those cracked ice scales will really carry the day and make a convert of me to wider, heavier razors?

Brian

It looks a lot like a Dubl Duck Goldedge. Cracked Ice scales and Gold wash tang. From a distance if you put it side with a DD you would be hard pressed to tell the difference.

 

[Trainfriend]

WOW!! Hello BDF and Doc226 I too am a native Rhode Islander (North Providence) and have that exact same model, box and supplier (See insert)! Small world...

You're correct about the gold on the tang. It does appear to have been buffed off. I'm curious to know if this has any vintage/collectible value. It's not going anywhere mind you...just curious.

 

[TimS]

Not a native RI'er, but settled here. That's a pretty cool find; who would've thought that a vintage razor would be labeled/named after the smallest state?

 

[Trainfriend]

But I am curious about the razor's history so perhaps I can take a ride up to Vogue supply house which is apparently still in business in Providence, RI and see if anyone there either knows where this razor might have come from or be able to find records about it. It is a long shot but I am mildly curious as to the origin of the razor.

Brian

Sorry Brian, The owner of Vogue died about 5 years ago. While the shop is still listed in some online phonebooks, a call to the shop will not get an answer. My neighbor is a Barber and he broke the news to me two weeks ago. I was hoping to go down there and support a local store instead of giving my money to Amazon or other online shops. It would have been a treat to see and buy the razors and supplies prior to taking that online crapshoot.

 

[BDF]

Well then there are a handful of us around. I am a bit south of you in Coventry but really, how far away from each other could we be and still live in RI?

Nice razor- the tang still has the gold plating and the blue paint in the stamping- the paint is long gone on mine and most of the gold wash has been buffed off.

Too bad about Vogue going under, it would have been interesting to hear the story of when these were made, how many imported, etc.

Mine takes and holds a fantastic edge. It is an extra hollow ground but thinner than any other extra hollow I have- it is very flexible near the edge. A nice shaver but it has a tendency to 'nip' if given the chance. Where other razors are a bit forgiving of a touch too much angle or a bit of loose skin, this one leaves a mark to let you know where you went wrong. The razor is also pretty noisy (singing) when shaving, honing or stropping.

Brian

WOW!! Hello BDF and Doc226 I too am a native Rhode Islander (North Providence) and have that exact same model, box and supplier (See insert)! Small world...

You're correct about the gold on the tang. It does appear to have been buffed off. I'm curious to know if this has any vintage/collectible value. It's not going anywhere mind you...just curious.

View attachment 338870

 

[Raithskar]

It is a DOVO that was produced for Vogue Barber Supply. Most likely a Fritz Bracht due to the design of the razor. That is one nice score you have there my friend!

 

[TimS]

Another one. Very cool blued tang and spine:

 

[Obiwan]

Not cool guys. I got dibs on the next Little Rhody razor. We each need one, lol. (nice one Tim)

 

[totorlekiller]

Well, now that the fact they are actually Dovo's has been made public, I bet their eBay desirability is going to go up.

 

[mycarver]

That Gold can be redone and the razors restored to like new. I don't think it was a matter of it being buffed off but the original gold wasn't done very well to start with in my opinion. I've redone several Gold washed razors and it's a matter of night and day with them.

 

[TimS]

Well, now that the fact they are actually Dovo's has been made public, I bet their eBay desirability is going to go up.

The 'desirability' to me is getting my hands on a razor with my state's nickname on it, as well as the fact that there don't seem to be many around (it is the smallest state, after all); doesn't really matter to me who made it.

 

[Doc226]

The 'desirability' to me is getting my hands on a razor with my state's nickname on it, as well as the fact that there don't seem to be many around (it is the smallest state, after all); doesn't really matter to me who made it.

Agreed. Nice looking razors. Dibs on the next one.

 

[TimS]

Agreed. Nice looking razors. Dibs on the next one.

I don't know; I think David called dibs first

I'll let you guys know if/when I run across one. I agree that all straight razor users in RI should have one.

 

[Doc226]

I don't know; I think David called dibs first

I'll let you guys know if/when I run across one. I agree that all straight razor users in RI should have one.

There are only a handful of us.