New Straight Razors from Dovo for Beginners - Facharbeit - Big Deal or Big Disappointment?

[@AlitaAvenger]

Great video..!! And thanks for your humor and wise words about being kind to yourself!

[@richcollins3490]

I've always rinsed my razor's in water but only the blade part and never the pivot area. Once done It's thoroughly dried, a small drop of razor oil on some TP is wiped on making sure not to get cut and no oil gets on the pivot area. I store it in a plastic bag so no moisture from a hot shower can damage the blade. I've done this for at least 20 years with no rust problems. Both methods work its just a matter of what works best for you.

[@kgpax]

Thanks for the insight on Dovo! Glad they are doing well! I see a Facharbiet in my future!

[@cmc707]

Matt, thanks for the video. I own two Dovos, the Bergischer Löwe and the Bismarck. Both great razors. The Löwe arrived in a container last year with a gold seal, on which the words “Made in West Germany” were printed, so I guess I was lucky enough to get one of the antiques. It (and the Bismarck) shaved perfectly well out of the box. When soaking my shaving brush in hot water for five minutes, I always leave the blade dipped alongside in the tooth mug as well. Heating the blade makes for a much more comfortable start to any shave. I also have to admit to cheating slightly, as you do, as I normally do two passes with a straight, then a final clean-up pass with a DE safety. Especially required around the chin. I couldn’t use your method of shaving soap disposal on a towel as she-who-must-be-obeyed would probably grab my razor and then dispose of me as she saw fit.

[@dabsafe]

I have been shaving with a Dovo Best Quality for a couple of months now. The online retailer I bought it from here in S.Ontario honed it prior to shipping and includes a follow up honing. It definitely has a learning curve to it (angles, stretching, becoming more ambidextrous). Straight razor shaving takes a little longer but is a luxury that I afford myself. Still using a double edge for my head, occasionally using the straight for the sides and top but not areas I can’t see in my bathroom mirror). Love the videos Matt. Keep ‘em coming 😎🇨🇦🎸

[@dappershaves]

how is your straight razor journey coming along?i love my dovo razors and have some straight content on my channel you might find useful. best wishes regards dapper shaves

[@dabsafe]

@@dappershaves It’s going well; very few knicks and haven’t done the Vincent Van Gogh. Still have yet to suffer any ingrown hairs. I’ll definitely check out your channel. Thanks for the heads up

[@dappershaves]

@@dabsafe great shaves and both ears still in place, wonderful! I appreciate your feedback

[@Shaverboy516]

Excellent straight shave Matt, for not practicing you always make it look easy.

[@leehaseley2164]

After hearing you rave about that charcoal soap, I decided to seek one out over here in Thailand, and have been impressed by the the improvement in my skin.

[@vinnyl9316]

I’ve been practicing with safety razors and a shavette for the past month and a half or so, and I’m feeling pretty confident in my ability to shave with a straight razor. I decided to pick up the Dovo Facharbeit straight razor. I’m a big fan of blue, and I was disappointed that you guys didn’t have the blue edition on your website. I appreciate you sacrificing your whiskers to show us how to properly wet shave and in doing comparison videos like this, Matt!

[@RazorEmporium]

Thanks

[@Anaphylax1s]

Another great video, looking forward to getting my first straight!

[@dappershaves]

would love to hear how it goes. what did you get? regards dapper shaves

[@Anaphylax1s]

@dappershaves picking up the kit from razor emporium with the gold dollar. Looking forward to investing in a nicer one once I get the technique down

[@dappershaves]

@@Anaphylax1s awesome! would love to hear how you progress on this journey, regards dapper shaves

[@thebrazilianshaver]

Hey Matt, great video as always! Honest transparent and full with information. Being part of the superfan challenge from Dovo this year only I already tried the Bismarck, Barbarossa and the newest Edo. Amazing pieces. I would definitely say they are shave ready as it glided effortlessly on my skin and the hanging hair test was also super effective. Jens seems to be doing a great work! I've never tried an Stainless steel blade, now you made me wanna try it. Also love that soap and scent. One of my wife's favorites as well. Cheers!

[@dappershaves]

Dovo has great razor, I have many including vintage. Not so sure about shave ready out the box, but hen I have not purchased any since Dovo changed hands. regards dapper shaves

[@ElJefe-qb8ik]

Great Video I have a Joseph Smith and Sons Stainless. I too noticed it glided better than my sheffield carbon steel.

[@rogeliorodriguez1533]

Honestly the stock blades that came with the Henson are doing me just fine...1000 blades for 100 dollars...no honing ever, no worrying about stropping and no...sad signs of honest hone wear. Pro tip...using a scrap piece of 2x4, wrap it in a double or triple layer of news print...regular newspaper, strop the blade dry on it without compound, the paper is a good 10k grit...super fine, easy to help align the edge

[@alexshewan]

Every time I watch one of these reviews, I feel the urge to purchase my first straight razor. Looking ahead, I fear it’ll only get used too little after investing in the resources. Perhaps it’ll come as a gift down the road. Great video as always, Matt!

[@CocoboloCowboy]

Matt love you U-Tube Channel good stuff. Hope you have a MEETUP SOON at your shop.🙏

[@dappershaves]

no need for massive investments, straight shaving does not need to cost a fortune. regards dapper shaves

[@danika6540]

Except for the razor itself, all products you buy can be used for DE or cartridge shaving as well, so that's a plus.

[@brandynpetersen8017]

I just got my first Dovo a couple of days ago. Astrale. To save a little $ I got it slightly used, with a tiny little nick in the blade, and I want to try my hand at sharpening it myself. It needs it. I like to sharpen things. I really like the looks of the red scaled F word razor. Red is my favorite color.

[@larsulrich2761]

Facharbeit means skilled work or skilled labor. To pronounce it say the F word with a short A instead of a U and then followed by "are-bite."

[@thebrazilianshaver]

The ch sound is tricky for non native German speakers as well

[@leehaseley2164]

Thank you for saying that, so that I didn't need to, Lars. Man denkt sich 🙏

[@Sir.YeetusIII]

That's actually helpful

[@alifalamarzi686]

Will you hone it before you sell it on your website?

[@dappershaves]

wonderful feedback, thanks for sharing. regards dapper shaves

[@magnoliamike]

Aaron's mine underneath the water but I dry mine really good, and in between the scales. Then oil it up when I'm done

[@dovo1906]

Thanks Matt for your video and review 😀

[@danika6540]

In Europe Solingen is known as a centre of blade manufacturing of all kinds, whether it's all types of scissors, knives, daggers, razors, etc.

[@AlexGonzalez-qo7yp]

Nice Job 👌 great presentation my friend

[@alioklu1699]

Can you give some advice for head shaving as well. Thank you...

[@jayr1430]

Looks awesome Matt I have yet to try a straight razor.

[@Three_Zero_Two]

I know myself and would never use a straight razor. But their soaps made by Ariana & Evans certainly peaks my interest

[@dappershaves]

did not know AE makes their soaps, also interested now. regards dapper shaves

[@ag10061992]

Take my MONEY on a blue one! Awesome video Matt!

[@caseyarmstrong7064]

I have zero experience with a straight razor and I would love to start. I’ve always used a safety razor for years. I understand it’s a bigger blade, removing more hair, just seems like there’s a lot of smaller hairs, when going back to the same spot

[@sefertonshaves]

I actually don’t think I have a dove in the den. I did however know that A&e was making the soaps he had mentioned it a while ago, but I do really like that presentation with the cork lid and bowl. Stay safe

[@lawrence1md]

Nice shave. There’s something about the larger razors by Dovo I really enjoy. You would think the razor would be called a Gesichtsklinge

[@DE_Razor_Shaving]

Nice! I like the red scales. 😁👍🏼

[@pfv3462]

What is the best light for shaving with a straight razor, and where to place it? I find that below the jawline it's usually hard to see properly, and the shadow of your hand makes it even more difficult!

[@tompvic]

Are these full-hallow/ half hallow Dovos? Didn’t Lynn Abrams use the sink all the time when using a straight razor?

[@RazorEmporium]

Full

[@juanbarrera1356]

What razor 🪒 do you recommend for shaving my head?

[@djfive-seven563]

I have two straight razors and they are both carbon steel. Shaving with them is not my favorite thing to do and I always preferred to use a SE shavette or a feather shavette. Gonna order a stainless steel straight from dovo once i’m back in the states in a month to see if it works better for me.

[@r.u2705]

Not really that much difference In a shave feel. More of a maintance thing, i would say.

[@dappershaves]

carbon steel will hone and shave better than stainless, at least for me! do you hone yourself or send them away? sharp carbon blade shave exceptional IMO. regards dapper shaves

[@rockinshavinwithgonzo520]

Great job shaving with a straight for being out of practice. Would love to experience the difference in Dovo’s new honing process. Keep shaving with a straight. It gets easier.

[@dappershaves]

very eager to try new honing, still sceptical. regards dapper shaves

[@leehaseley2164]

I think that I remember Peter saying that the dish is made on Portugal, Matt.

[@RazorEmporium]

ah that makes more sense. Still an international effort to make it!

[@nate4shave]

Nice looking soap container but I can’t go backwards from De’s to straight shave I always felt tugging and pulling feel Artis club is the only Se I can go but nice review Matt

[@pederhalverson2591]

The Facharbeit is a limited edition razor using steel from the 60’s and ground by their master grinders.

[@summerparty2917]

Hey I’ve never used a straight razor before but I just bought the blue Facherbeit. How do I shave do I put soap on my face or what do I use?

[@r.u2705]

Yes, soap is prefered. Makes it easier to cut.

[@hcshaves]

Great and interesting video 😊🎉

[@smievil]

my dovo was definitely not shave ready, seems a bit stubborn to sharpen, they probably put more effort into the scale though, i do like that one.

[@chewbacca7856]

I am interested in trying out a stainless blade. I didn't know it was a thing. I have been using the carbon steel Boker I got from you. Great shave. I have had it for about 3 months and had to hone it once since then. I have a coarse hair type myself. Great video.

[@RazorEmporium]

coming to us now from Germany - will post a link when we have them in stock.

[@RobertJohnson3344]

The pre shave soap is amazing, I highly recommend you guys try it

[@JLawPHP]

Will you be carrying that soap that you used or do we have to order it from them directly

[@RazorEmporium]

Yes we will stock it! thanks, Matt

[@Skipsul]

I've got a Dovo Bismarck with the black blade, and it is a truly lovely blade. Keeps its edge well with proper stropping. And the extra hollow-ground blades do give a finer, keener shave over the more conventional straight-honing.

[@dappershaves]

well said. bismarck is a great value for money razor, exceptional good. regards dapper shaves

[@leehaseley2164]

How would you explain the difference in feel between carbon steel and stainless steel, Matt?

[@RazorEmporium]

one feels easier to cut than the other.

[@leehaseley2164]

@@RazorEmporium pretty simple

[@RoderickGMacLeod]

@@RazorEmporium I was expecting something along the lines of a comparison of the mouthfeel of mayonnaise vs. sour cream.

[@samuraiS30v]

I want a straight razor with premium steel like CPM CruWear or 15V or ZDP 189

[@thesaskshaver]

Nice video. Good to see Dovo making changes and cool that A&E is making their soap. As for rinsing you straight razor in running water, I have had 0 issues doing that and no rust. I use a straight at least for 80% of my daily shaves. It's all about the post shave care and of course you don't want to dunk the entire razor and scales in the water, just the blade.

[@dappershaves]

well said! regards dapper shaves

[@aaronrogerson604]

I always enjoy watching a straight razor shave. However, it's not a venture I'm prepared to take myself. The logistics on the bowl/soap is quite interesting....

[@TWalsh2]

I can't comment one the new Dovo's but the older ones CAN shave out of the box but they can be massively improved on CrOx or diamond or a finishing stone.

[@dappershaves]

only found the bergischer lowe to be somewhat shave ready out the box, that said the ultra thin grind helps. regards dapper shaves

[@Johnny-Five]

I hope Dovo didn’t get rid of their Merkur line. I had just talked with Merkur about bring back the gold HD slant razor. They said there wasn’t enough request or they would. Maybe if everyone requested it be brought back they’d do a limited run.

[@RazorEmporium]

The two companies have formally split.

[@Johnny-Five]

@@RazorEmporium That’s a bummer. I hope Merkur will be able to keep making razors.

[@pfv3462]

I think many men leave their straight razor in the bathroom! If you see how the water vapor wets the cold tiles after a warm bath or hot shower, your beautiful knife will rust there! Don't let it dry up wet, but dry it, and put it in a dry place and lightly oiled if you don't use it for a long time.

[@nukedriver]

Any estimated date of when they will be in your stock for sale?

[@RazorEmporium]

They are in transit to us now.

[@staceymolleken9184]

Hi Matt. On a different topic. I recently picked up two Gillette Red Tip razors and one of them has 2 + signs on the underside of the baseplate. Do you know what those would mean? The other Red Tip doesn't have those markings. Thanks for any information you can provide. :)

[@RazorEmporium]

Differentiation with the blue tip / regular super speed guard for assembly

[@staceymolleken9184]

@@RazorEmporium Thanks for letting me know Matt. :)

[@talega1]

Nice vid, the difference was clear. I have a few inox, out of the box were unusable for me, one I did a diamond paste strop then strop, the other a FeOx paste and strop, to me both are still unusable. Sharp single blade for my comparison, is a Feather shavette with any new Feather blade....that is what I want.....otherwise.....futile.

[@jynx-vu2zc]

Hey Tom what did you do this weekend ? I watched golf on TV....GOLF ?? I rather eat glass then watch golf ! . ya what did you do..............I watched videos of Matt shaving.... 😕...

[@RoderickGMacLeod]

@Razor Emporium Matt, facharbeit basically means "skilled work/labor". I assume the name was chosen as an homage to the people who worked in the foundery/factory when those blades were produced. Fach will rhyme with Bach, arbeit sounds like "are bite".

[@RHDaveShaves]

Follow on tip: In German, whenever you see the "ei" or "ie" combination, the second one is pronounced with the long sound.

[@mroldbean2]

Hey Matt, was that DE you used your Frankenrazor from a few videos ago?

[@RazorEmporium]

yup

[@Melkbone]

Enjoyed the review and the shave. In your opinion how many days growth is best to use the straight?

[@RazorEmporium]

1/2-1

[@honuhalawahalepule653]

To answer your question I exclusively shave with straight razors and from my personal experience and what I've seen on KZbin, the length of your beard does not matter at all when using a straight razor. However course hair is more difficult to cut and requires more pre-shave prep including a hot towel, pre-shave oil, a face conditioner product, and a quality shave soap. I hope that helps!

[@razormichl2004]

nice video👍have a great weekend

[@rogerd777]

I can see why you didn't want to rinse off the non-stainless razor, but the stainless steel razor should withstand getting wet, shouldn't it?

[@RazorEmporium]

No metal is 100% stain proof. That's why they call it stain less :) I still would recommend using just a hand towel to wipe the hair / lather.

[@rogerd777]

@@RazorEmporium I understand. Thanks. I am a DE user, I don't see myself ever using a straight razor, but it is interesting to learn about them.

[@bTome9123]

Hey Matt, I have a carbon steel Dovo and think stainless would be the better option. Do you carry and stainless Dovo? Also, how do you care for the razor when stored? Thank you.

[@RazorEmporium]

Yes link in description. I keep it with a light coat of mineral oil when not used.

[@keithstephenson9872]

I have a Dovo,but carbon steel blades just seem to go dull quickly,My best blade is a stainless steel.

[@williamshephard640]

Nice review

[@matthewdawson9131]

Hello Matt, fellow Matt here. I have been wanting to make the jump from a safety razor to a straight razor for a while now. I have super thick growth similar to yourself. I have super sensitive skin. What Dovo would you recommend I begin with?

[@RazorEmporium]

The one from this video!

[@daemonk756890]

Why do you say use stainless steel for a coarser beard?

[@RazorEmporium]

seems to be the consensus that it works better.

[@daemonk756890]

@@RazorEmporium stainless is harder isn't it?

[@honuhalawahalepule653]

If you don't mind listening to my opinion, stainless steel glides through the hair and over the skin more smoothly than carbon steel. As you will see Matt uses a very small angle when he shaves and small strokes which tends to cause more drag in general. I hope that helps!

[@Tmanaz480]

How about "Weapon of Choice"? or..."Secret Agent"?

[@edwardmiles6513]

How much more difficult is it to sharpen a stainless steel blade than a carbon steel blade? Similarly, how often does a stainless blade need resharpening compared to a carbon steel blade? FWIW, off hand I suspect that the word is "Facherbiete" or "fakerbiete." If so, the final "e" is pronounced, and concerns some kind of offer. Best wishes to all.

[@PowerInOne22]

wouldn't say it's more difficult, it just takes longer. careful w/ stainless on the finisher. you don't want pressure on finishing, but a SS blade you REALLY don't want pressure on finishing. if the edge is good it should last a little longer, but if the groundwork isn't complete (say,,there are still some lower grit striations) it will get microchippy.

[@edwardmiles6513]

@@PowerInOne22 Thanks.

[@edwardmiles6513]

My mistake. It seems the mystery word is "Facharbeit," i.e. --skilled work-- (craftsmanship?). In my defense, "arbeit" is pronounced a little different how it was in the video. Anyway, still, best wishes to all.

[@honuhalawahalepule653]

To answer the question how often do you need to hone a stainless steel straight razor... I have a couple of them in my collection and I would say their edge lasts two to three times longer than carbon steel (before they need to be touched up on a whetstone).

[@MatchesMalone98]

Have the Dovo Apex and was honestly one of the most uncomfortable shaves I've ever had. Bought brand new and even paid for the extra honing

[@RazorEmporium]

Sorry to hear that. Was it your first time straight shaving?.

[@MatchesMalone98]

@@RazorEmporium Straight razor yeah, but have used shavettes before

[@a000ab]

Now I am confused. Wasn't it such that the carbon steel razors were sharper than the stainless steel ones?

[@RazorEmporium]

Carbon steel is more comfortable to most people. Sharpness depends on how it is honed.

[@erichoffman4674]

You give two links at the top of the description, for a red & blue Facharbeit, but those items in your catalog both say 1967 and stainless steel. If they're not the links for the razors you reviewed (which may not be in stock yet?), I'd suggest you replace the links with a "not in stock yet, will update" type message. I thought you said the red was carbon steel. I'd hate to buy an old razor and find out it's not from their "new and improved", shave ready process.

[@RazorEmporium]

They were made and ground in 1967 but sharpened today before sent out from Dovo. The links are correct - same as I used.

[@erichoffman4674]

@@RazorEmporium Excellent--thanks! I'm thinking I need a razor less than 100 years old, these two or a Dovo Barbarossa (I keep a beard) are in the running.

[@nicklewis7291]

I like having a beard now that I'm not in uniform everyday. But, I prefer the straight razor for cleaning up the neck and cheeks. To me, it's easier to see what I'm doing with it and not take too much off.

[@Universal_Craftsman]

How are the German names written?

[@JayImahara]

In German.

[@dabsafe]

@@JayImahara 😂😂

[@Universal_Craftsman]

@@JayImahara I mean how the words are spelt.

[@michelhouben4233]

I master the Mühle R41 with a Feather Blade in a nice one pass shave with the grain but this straight razor shaving is not for me 🤯

[@stansteiber]

Very good information in this one thank you! Liked the J.A. Henckels stainless steel for tough beards. Hmmmm, getting any of the J.A. Henckels Friodur Inoxs in your vintage straight razor sellection . . . . ;)

[@rumatadestora]

I kind of like the aesthetics of the straight razor, but for me it's obviously too high maintenance. I think I'll stay with my DE razor😁

[@JimIBobIJones]

Nothing wrong with running your razor under water, just make sure to towel dry it and then leave it open to further dry for 30 mins - an hour. Ideally rub a drop or two of mineral oil for storage and don't leave it in the bathroom with all that humidity.

[@magnoliamike]

I have a J.A Henckels Checkered 72 Friodur. Beautiful piece! 🤩 yeah it was my first SS straight razor and it took me about a few shaves to get used to it because up to that time I’ve only has experience with carbon steel blades. It also took me some time to get used to honing INOX razors as well. I love the face feel though, dare I say a little better? Only time will tell!!! 😁🤙🏻

[@trunkerdixon]

i like to use a damp sponge to wipe my blade on during a shave; the blade never gets properly wet and HRH does not end up with scuzz-filled towels. Easy to clean at the end of the shave. My regular shave is a Dovo Bismarck and has been for about 5 years. When i bought them, they were re-honed to be guaranteed shave-ready, so hopefully that's not a thing anymore. The truth of the matter is that someone new to SR shaving can wreck an edge quite easily by stropping it badly too, so either make friends with someone that can fix that for you or learn to hone one yourself fast! T

[@sunnydey405]

These razors are very costly in India and even hard to find in India.

[@avgjoeshow4208]

If they’re gonna be shipping the stuff all the way to Germany and than back to the US, he would be better off finding somebody to warehouse for him here in the US

[@leehaseley2164]

In my opinion, if you are buying a brand new straight razor, you have the right to expect that it would come perfectly shave ready. For your sake, and ours, perhaps just don't bother trying to speak German anymore 🤭🤭😉😉🤣🤣

[@steelwarrior105]

Solingen is the Sheffield of Germany

[@WolfRanger2008]

Regrettably, I don't know nuthin' bout Dovo....Know even less about A&E's soap creation used in this video. But, I do know, that No One, including Maestro Shave Business Owners, need to explain, defend or justify how he, she, it, they, them and etc choose to finish a shave. ;-)

[@TheCovenant2]

its so funny when americans try to pronounce german which is usually relatively soft but due to this stigma everyone wants to start sounding aggressive :D

[@cool9282]

As a german you pronounce the words really weird 🤣 Facharbeit means craftmanship haha

[@azshooter348]

Facharbeit = craftsmanship, skill or expertise

[@jrjbud]

OMG that razor should be gliding thru a day and half growth like butter. I had to stop watching

[@jrjbud]

I thought dovo went bankrupt

[@RazorEmporium]

Yes and bought by a new owner

[@jameszap3284]

Love the video! Check out the dovo youtube page too!

[@SidewaysTurtle]

first

[@josephsmith765]

forget shaving dude, you gotta clean out that clump of earwax... I say this in jest but... forreal... debrox

[@RazorEmporium]

Um...timecode?

[@leehaseley2164]

Facharbeit= Fakh-are-bite

[@Carzone2021]

To be honest u don't really kw how to do straight shave.. didn't find ur style confident or comfortable 😂

[@RazorEmporium]

cool. send me a link of your video showing how it's done and I'll learn from you :) Admittedly, I use one a few times a year. Never claimed to be an expert.

[@undefined40]

"Yes that is the correct pronunciation" Lol, nice try.

[@flyiny_sqiurrel]

thats one bad razor

[@tjtimmy1110]

300 dollars for a straight razer GTFOH

[@RazorEmporium]

Lol that's pretty middle of the road.

[@tjtimmy1110]

@@RazorEmporium yeah im starting to realize that lol but dang its a nice looking razor. this might be a dumb question but do these razors last along time or whats the average life span?

[@RazorEmporium]

Decades

[@terrym1065]

Nicely done Matt for a guy that uses a str8 only a couple times a year🪒🪒 Unfortunately these beautiful razors are not for me, tried using years ago and because of many factors had to let them go. The romance of using them though is enviable. Great video and the results speak for themselves, well done, thanks. Enjoy!