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Technical Information

Excerpt from the Dovo official website:

 

Today the market is dominated by electric shavers and simple wet shavers. Whether as part of an archaic or a modern lifestyle, using an open razor to remove the beard growth has been a component of shaving culture for centuries. Lathering up the soap and wielding a brush - a wet shave is always a special experience.

Production

The basic material preferred for open razors is normal steel with a minimum carbon content of 0,6%, in order to achieve the highest degree of hardness, elasticity and resistance to wear.
The blank consists of a cropped piece between 20-25 mm wide and 5-6 mm thick. the cropped pieces are heated and hot-forged under immense pressure from a drop hammer in the forging die.

The heat-treatment, the so-called "hardening", is extremely important for the blank. Depending on the quality of the steel, the blank is heated up to 1.300°C and subsequently chilled in a special oil. The temperature limits are often crucial. The subsequent tempering at 200 to 400°C, depending on the type of steel, gives the blade its elasticity and toughness.

Handles and blades

The handles of the open razors are made of celluloid (imitation tortoiseshell, ivory or mother-of-pearl), real buffalo horn or mother-of-pearl, ebony, pakkawood, micarta, bone or non-corrosive steel (stainless).   

We distinguish between the following handles:

3/8" flat or 1/2 hollow ground for salon and clinic use, eyebrows
4/8" flat or 1/2 hollow ground for salon and clinic use, light beard growth

5/8" 1/2 or 1/1 hollow ground for general removal of beard growth
6/8" square or sharp point for the experienced shaver
7/8" 1/1 hollow ground with for very strong beard growth double- stabilising piece

 Cross-section of razors -degree of hollowness-
A flat ground
B full hollow ground
C 1/4 hollow

Care of the razor

Correct care is essential for the maintenance and long life of this traditional gentlemen's accessory. Each time it is used, the entire razor must be rinsed in clear water and dried thoroughly. If the razor is not used for a longer period, it is advisable to coat it lightly with oil. Never store the razor in a damp, unventilated place.

Razor strops and honing

While flat razors are sharpened using strops with wooden handles where the razor can be "pushed" along the strop, ½ or full hollow-ground razors are sharpened using hanging strops, in some cases with a knob made of fine cow-hide or smooth Russian-type leather with which the strop can be hung up. Some of these strops have a hemp tube on the reverse side which serves to position the sharp edge in the direction indicated by the razor. If necessary, the leather side can be coated with a thin layer of fine grinding paste (red paste), and with polishing paste (black paste) for polishing on a separate strop, and subsequently worked in with the palm of the hand. Sharpening is effected at a plane angle with the back of the razor on the razor strop; it should be first be drawn away from the body. When changing direction, the razor should be turned with its back to the strop and then drawn towards the body. If the cutting edge of the razor faces the strop while the razor is being turned, it will become round and lose its cut. In this case, only regrinding by a specialist will help.   

 

 

As can be seen from this, some technical know-how is desirable for the maintenance of your straight razor. The above passages are translated from the German original and, whilst authored by Dovo, are perhaps not as plain for English speakers as you could wish. For this reason we have put together a short e-book in PDF format that can be downloaded free of charge by completing the form below. The adobe reader (also free of charge) can be downloaded from Adobe if you don’t already have it installed on your computer. Any technical queries you may have can be sent to us at technical@dovorazors.com or see our FAQ page

‘Choosing, Using and Caring For Your Straight Razor’ PDF form