[gary haywood]

Hi i just recieved my dovo macarta 5/8 stainless. Razor's blade is not shave the toe does'nt shave at all. So i have honed it up it is a lot better but i'm just finding the toe doesnt seem to be making full contact to my hones. At the very end as marker is not being removed but this is only happening on one side of the razor i no you can do the rocking stroke but not sure on this one with it being on one side. I tend to find most razors i have honed always seem to leave a dot or two on the very end of my razors as the blade bevel curls round can this be normal in a lot of cases any advice would be help ful.

[English]

First check that your hone is flat, especially along the edges.

Also are you sure you ran the edge along the hone?

Sorry but I have to ask the obvious.

Some times the honing bevel runs out out as it reaches the handle leaving a smooth shiny handle fatter than the bevel. check if the bevel runs out before the bit of blade that is not sharpening properly.

If this is the case, you need to create the honing bevel on a low grit hone or send it back to DOVO pointing out the problem. With a new razor I would return it and if it is a bevel setting fault, I would be pretty angry with the supplier. You know along the lines of "and you didn't even bother to check that the edge had a bevel along its full length!".

I can tell you, it would annoy the hell out of me. I use that bit for all the difficult bits.

Good luck.

[gary haywood]

Hi the bevel does look ok i have compared it to some of my other razors i did make sure the hone was flat i lapped with 600 wet and dry. i have always noticed my razors heel and toe are last to form. i have honed quite a bit more and the heel and toe seem to be getting there i have tryed going back to 1 k to see if that would create more of bevel it just a dot of marker on the toe end just on the corner of the slight curve just carn't seem to remove that now and it is realy buging me.Although i have shaved with the razor and not a bad shave could do with being a bit smoother but does'nt pull and i tested against the grain and not bad atall its my first time i have tryed honing a stainless. What i carn't under stand is how they send a razor out and only the middle of the blade was actualy shaving ipaid £120.00 for the razor i think it is realy bad and no wonder when people buy a straight razor and say they prefer a mach 3. I don't i quite like the challange. i've performed the hht and the hole blade passes except the very toe wher it just curves should i not worry about that to much it is only that corner. thanxs gary

[English]

Gary,

The heel will only be sharp along the straight edge The sharp edge usually stops below the strengthening bar at the heel.
The toe is usually too sharp. The tip of the blade is usually the last to leave the hone and seems to get extra sharp.
I actually blunt the tip after honing because I find such a sharp end dangerous.

My feeling is the spot will sharpen with time.

As to quality out of the box, you are not the first to complain. I agree with you, I think it is atrocious but since both of the current factories, DOVO and Thiers Issard seem to have the same quality issues , you have little choice if you want to buy new.

If you want new, there are a few specialists who will make you a bespoke razor. They are in the USA and the quality of their work looks truly outstanding and their prices are a little more than you paid but worth it. You always pay for quality.

[gary haywood]

Hi how do i get to see bespoke razors have you got the website cheers gary

[English]

Gary,

The four names that spring to mind are:
Joe Chandler
Tim Zowada
Maestro Livi (Although this guy us in Italy)
Butch Harmer
I don't know their internet sites but an internet search may find them.

This site sells the first three makes I think:

Straight Razor Designs, The Finest In Gentlemens Shaving And Grooming Needs

All four makers razors will make you drool.
I think they will all have a waiting list. They deserve to have, because their skill levels are amazing.

If you do a search on this forum, you will see the quality each of them can make. Also you can read what peolple think in the razor review section.

Happy viewing.