Thread: My new dovo is dying. I must be doing something wrong.

I recently switched from a shavette-style straight to a Dovo Best Quality 5/8 full hollow ground and the shave i get from it is amazing.

However.

As soon as I got it, I took it to Ross Cutlery in Los Angeles (it was recommended on Yelp) to get it honed. I got it back and it looked good, but I'm not a good judge of these things. It shaved well.

Then, after a few shaves I started noticing tiny chips in the blade. Then more. Then the blade is not perfectly centered when I close the scales. It hasn't been a week and my poor Dovo is suffering. I'm not abusing it, nor have I dropped it. I strop it on linen and leather before and after each shave and set it down gently on a folded towel on my bathroom counter.

I know this is not much to go on, but where might I be going wrong?

Sharpening Prices
Handmade or Custom Shears $24.00
Standard Barber Shears $14.00
All other shears under 4 inches $9.00
Other Shears under 9.5 inches $10.00
Other Shears under 11 inches $12.00
Other Shears under 12.5 inches $13.00
Other Shears 14 inch or above $20.00
Nail and cuticle nipper $12.00
New Springs/Screws for nipper $4.00
Electric Hair Clipper - Sharpen, Clean, Adjust $18.00
Clipper Blade only $8.00
Razors - Grind and Hone $25.00 Pinking Shears 7 to 10 inches $10.00 to $12.00
Kitchen Knife Sharpening (blade length only) $3 min. PER INCH $1.00
Hunting Knife Sharpening (blade length only) $5 min. PER INCH $1.50
Pocket Knives under 2 inch blade $5.00
Pocket Knives over 2 inch blade $8.00
Tweezers $6.00
Ceramic Blades Sharpened $12.00


310 SOUTH BROADWAY
Los Angeles, California
Our Phone is (213) 626-1897
We are open every day from
9:00 AM to 6:00 PM


reviews

Ross Cutlery & Sharpening Service - Downtown - Los Angeles, CA


They supposedly sharpen SR's there according to the reviews, anyone talked to them ????

Let's see if any of our resident Califorina guys know about this place Honestly when something says Grind and Hone I get shivers especially when they have pics of Knife Grinders at work

If it is ruined due to them misrepresenting their abilities, I'm sure you can put together a great case for your "honing" money to be returned and probably a replacement razor.

Not saying this is the case but in the future, I would be sure to find someone who specializes in straight razors. I hope everything turns out alright, it may just be due to lack of experience since you are just beginning.

Ask them HOW they honed it. Specifically, ask if they used any sort of moving wheel or if they used flat hones. If the former, ask for your money back. If the latter, ask them what kind they used. You also might want to ask if the person who honed it has ever used a straight razor.

Is it possible that your are closing the razor into the scales and that is damaging the blade? Check for little bites out of the scales at the same points where you see chips in the blade.

I would also agree that the honing may be a variable. Also, out of curiosity, if the razor was giving you great shaves, why did you take it to be honed.

I'm not sure it was the honing, I just threw that in there to be complete. I know it's not closing the scales on the blade, as the chips don't line up and it's not THAT off center.

Another possibility is the stropping. Maybe I didn't break in my Fromm strop?

Your stropping may not be up to snuff. But I think it would have to be really really off to cause that kind of chipping.
And about the Fromm, it could very well need breaking in, but I find it hard to believe that to be the culprit.

I would, as others have, suggest to get it properly honed by someone who knows and use a straight razor.

I cannot imagine stropping causing chipping. I wonder if you had a bit of a wire edge and it is deteriorating while you shave.

*I have never managed to put a wire edge on a razor, so I am guessing.

Originally Posted by ats200

If it is ruined due to them misrepresenting their abilities, I'm sure you can put together a great case for your "honing" money to be returned and probably a replacement razor.

Not saying this is the case but in the future, I would be sure to find someone who specializes in straight razors. I hope everything turns out alright, it may just be due to lack of experience since you are just beginning.

I'm 2 weeks from getting my law degree, so as an unlicensed and incompetent attorney, I can tell you it's more trouble than it's worth.

My damages are 25 bucks for a bad hone and 5 bucks to correct the damage when I get it rehoned by a SRP guru. (I needed my razor honed anyways so I can't calculate in the base costs) It costs 50 bucks to file a claim in small claims, not to mention the time. The only realistic remedy is to not go back and leave a review on yelp.

Not to disagree but wouldn't the fact that grinding an expensive razor can possibly ruin it factor in? If they ground it too much and it just can't be honed?

you are right though, in the end if they are uncooperative, it would be a lot of trouble.