Thread: Unknown Solingen razor

Hi guys,

I'm about to purchase my first straight razor (the one in the pics below), but I have some doubts about it's authenticity and origin.
The razor is advertised as a "Solingen, shave ready, full hollow, 6/8".
I've also had a conversation over the phone with the seller in which he mentioned that the razor is identical to a Dovo entry level model ("Best Quality" or something similar) and shares all the qualities of a genuine Dovo. On the phone he sounded like a genuinely nice guy with lots of straight razor knowledge and very forthcoming every time I asked him for information.

That being said, what makes me suspicious are the markings on the razor itself. For one, as far as I know, Solingen is a city not a brand, so I would have expected a brand name stamped somewhere (like Dovo, Boker, etc).
Also, the markings on the tang seem etched or painted (instead of stamped) and the ones on the scales show some paint bleed or something like that. These details make me think "cheap copy", rather than genuine item.

Is this some obscure OEM razor built to Dovo specs? Or just a clone made in China/Pakistan and most likely of inferior quality?
As I lack any experience in straight razors many of these details baffle me a bit.

Please have a look at the pictures and let me know what you think. Many thanks!

It looks like a clone to me dude, I wouldn't be buying it myself

It looks like there is some sloppy grinding in the stabilizer area. Not what I would expect from a quality razor.

It used to be that any cutlery with the Solingen mark had to meet certain quality levels. Apparently that is no longer a thing as I have seen some second rate goods marked Solingen. Timor razors are a good example of poor quality from Solingen. I have seen very few newer razors with good strong tang stamps. The laser etched look seems to be being done more often than not. If you are shopping for a new razor there are a few around that are good quality and there are some shops selling them hand honed too shave ready. It is good to see you not being hasty to buy. Get the best tools you can afford and they will always be there for you.

There's no guarantee every razor marked 'solingen' actually came from there either.

I worked my butt off trying to hone one of those for an old guy once. I finally got a shave out of it but it wasn't nice and it didn't last long. Felt like a 404 stainless knife steel. They sell them at a knife shop here in town instead of carrying the Dovo line like they used to. I asked the owner where the hell he got them and he said a friend got them in Germany but had no idea what factory they came from. I told him to find out but never went back. I think the factory is in India myself :<0)

Thanks for your posts guys.
I decided to let this one go. Too many unknowns for a start up razor.

Today I was also fortunate to be offered as a rental a Lark razor from a generous gentleman in one of our local shaving forums. It comes shave ready and should give me a good indication what straight razors are about.