Opinions on current production straights?

[showard]

Looking around on the web has got me wondering about what the quality of the various manufacturers of straights today. I read about Dovo an TI maybe having some QC issues, I read Hart users are pretty happy, I don't hear much about the new Bokers, Henckels, or any other current producers. That green micarta Boker is attractive, but I know nothing about them.
Would any of you care to share your experiences with brand new razors that you have purchased?

 

[surfsanclem]

The blade in my TI didn't center correctly. I had to get it fixed. It shaved great after though, and I will be keeping it around for a while.

 

[ridnovir]

I own both Dovo an TIs and find them to be top notch and with no quality issues. TIs are my favorite. Although I do not own a Boker I am certain that you will not be disappointed. Henckels its seems decided to introduce some new straight razors and if they are half as good as their vintage razors I would not hesitate to get one. I strongly encourage you to go for a new razor rather than vintage.

 

[Doc226]

My Dovo has a bunch oF QC issues, the scales are not even, the razor can't stand up. The shoulders needed to be ground in order to be honed properly. The shave itself is great. I also have a new Friodor that is awesome, or course the scales were CRAP.

 

[Wid]

I've had new Dovo's, a TI a Wacker a Hart and honed a new Boker. All but one Dovo (out of 6 or so Dovo's) were top notch and took a great edge. The one Dovo had very uneven scales so much so it wouldn't set up on the scales. I did get a replacement from a very good vender though.

 

[Debrushman]

The ability to produce razors that are far superior to vintage blades is possible. Improved manufacturing techniques and materials that would have been labeled witchcraft can without question produce superior results.
Now, if they utilize modern techniques and materials to reduce cost and therefore quality instead of improving the product, well that's another story.

 

[showard]

Thanks for the input, gentlemen. I really want to go new on at least one purchase, once I get the feel of what I really want in a straight. I like the fact that you all are saying that the shave was fine, I was afraid I was going to get some bent spine/ edge defying blade stories. Going vintage is a real tossup-I would almost be forced to use online resources even for vintage razors as every antique dealer (except one) in my area is making ebay look like a bargain.

 

[Lando]

lots of great straights on bst
nice looking wacker there right now!

 

[Wid]

That Wacker on BST is a steal. They take one heck of an edge, it's my favorite new production razor.

I forgot in my other post, I also had good luck with Revisor's too although others have had issues.

 

[eastrun]

I bought a new Dovo stainless as my first blade. Since I had no experience it seemed to do the job well. I still think so but...I have acquired several vintage blades and sharpened them with equally good results.
That's all...

 

[Legion]

I only own one current production razor, a Dovo Prima Klang. It seems fine.

If you buy from The Superior Shave Jarrod photographs (And presumably inspects) each individual razor. That would seem like a good way of increasing your chances.

 

[Kentos]

You just can't expect perfection from a new razor. When you buy a vintage, uneven bevels, warped spines and crooked scales are expected.

 

[Antique Hoosier]

Every Dovo and TI I have purchased have been very very nice. I would say the Dovo Bismarck in Bone I miss the most. Highly recommend.

 

[cb91710]

I own a Dovo Astrale 5/8, Dovo Bismark 6/8, Dovo Stainless Pearlex, Boker stainless 5/8, Wacker "Gadsden" 15/16, and a Seraphim-honed Gold Dollar.

All were supposed to be "shave ready", honed up by the respective shops' honemeisters.
Ignoring the Gold Dollar....

The Wacker arrived with a beautiful edge. ATG on the upper-lip was weeper-free... my test for a good hone job. Extremely happy with it.
The rest?
The Dovo Stainless was honed by Lynn. It too delivered ATG upper lip, but the edge seemed to "go" quickly.
Factory quality issues, the scales are not even, but it only looks "bad" when viewed on edge. It handles and looks just fine in general and if that were the only defect on all of my razors, I'd be happy.

The Boker Stainless 5/8 was my first straight. I've put that thing through hell and back. The shop hone job didn't seem that good, but being my first, I probably hosed it. After I honed it, it came out really nice. I don't know why I don't use it more... it's a very nice razor, but it is pretty "plain" to look at. No goldwash, no inlays... just a stainless blade and black scales.

The Bismark? Not unhappy with it, but I don't use it much. It's pretty to look at and shaves okay. Shop hone quality was so-so, honed up much more nicely when I did it, but like the Boker, I just don't use it much. QC wise? No complaints.

The Astrale?
Ya... that one.
Arrived with a warped blade. I always thought that it shaved kinda "funny" and it was not a good shaver (not as good as the Bismark that I got from the same shop and presumably same honer).
When I tried to hone it, I realized that the blade had a pretty serious warp... to the point that the tip of the blade almost touches the scales when closing it.... and unlike the Pearlex, the scales are perfect.
It sits, unused and unhoned.

 

[GreekGuy]

You just can't expect perfection from a new razor. When you buy a vintage, uneven bevels, warped spines and crooked scales are expected.

My Hart is flawless. Although they are pushing $300+

 

[tomjr]

i think my only new production razor i kept was a Henckels Fridour i like it, it is a 7/8 and a real pleasure to use. i have too many vintage straights. i like them all.

 

[johnmrson]

I've had 3 new Dovo's, a new TI and a new Wacker. The only one I had an issue with was the Wacker. It had a bent pivot pin when I got it so it was an easy fix but appalling QC to let it go like that.

 

[Kentos]

My Hart is flawless. Although they are pushing $300+

Ah, forgot about the Harts. A 7/8's was the only razor I was willing to buy new...then I discovered
kamisori.

One could argue Harts aren't a "production" razor...maybe pseudo-custom?

 

[Slash McCoy]

I have a new production Boker king cutter that I really like. The new Giesens & Forsthoffs are a good value. High end Dovos get some good reviews but 2 out of 2 Dovo Bests I have owned had serious issues. For the price of a Dovo Best I can buy 15 Gold Dollars and make good shavers out of them with a little more work. If you go for a Dovo stay away from their entry level razors. All in all, if you want a good razor for under $100 that doesn't need a lot of work to get it shaving, go vintage.

 

[GreekGuy]

One could argue Harts aren't a "production" razor...maybe pseudo-custom?

You know Kent, I never thought about them like that, but in a sense they are closer to a custom than most other production straights. They even have the craftsman's initials on the tang. I think it adds a nice touch. Kind of reminds you that a human made it