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World of Straight
Razor Shaving DVD
by Lynn Abrams
#str-dvd $19.95
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Lynn Abrams is world renowned for his vast
knowledge and experience with straight razors, sharpening procedures and
impressive collection. This three and a half hour video includes information
about the straight razor, honing & stropping, restoration, scenes of his
collection, pre-shave preparation, shaving demonstration and resources. This
is an excellent video and packed with information. A must have for any
person new to straight razor shaving or the experienced shaver looking for
additional information.
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Did you know?
Straight
razors are still assembled by hand. One of the frequently asked questions
Em's Place receives in regard to DOVO straight razors is "are they shave
ready" when purchased? The response from the representative is:
"Straight razors leaving
our company are always ready for the shave. They are honed, stropped and
pass the so called ‘Hair Test’ giving evidence of ultimate cutting. Then all
razors are carefully wrapped, boxed and sealed. There is a misconception
that shave ready means you don't need to strop before use, and it is
important to know that any straight razor should be stropped before each and
every shave which is a normal part of the process. Therefore, in addition to
the straight razor a user also needs a strop. We have to guarantee for our
workmanship and when a merchant sells originally boxed and sealed DOVO
razors you and your customer can be sure that they are ready for the daily
strop and shave. In addition,
straight razors are on backlog. From the time a merchant places a straight
razor order it can take six to nine months until ready to ship from the DOVO
factory."
The biggest challenge DOVO faces in order to
keep up with demand is the availability of component parts. Merkur/DOVO
serves over 80 countries around the world.
Em |
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Carbon Steel Blades: |
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Genuine Mammoth Fossilized Ivory Razor in Ebony Box. This limited production razor
handle is made from ivory recently unearthed from excavating sanctioned in
Siberia and estimated to be over 20,000 years old. Handle is handmade from the
inner layers of the tusk and bonded to an ebony backing for stability and wear. Each razor handle is
one-of-a-kind. The blade is forged from the finest Swedish carbon steel with a
rounded point, extra hollow ground "singing" 5/8" carbon steel blade hand ground
by DOVO's senior craftsman. Blade has gold plating along the spine, Dovo
Solingen's mark on the shank and a laser-etched Mammoth on the blade's face. An
exclusive razor for any collection. |
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Handle shading or patterns can be different than the one pictured. Comes in genuine
ebony wood case with inner lining and certificate of authenticity.
$395.00, #str-mam |
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OUT OF STOCK
- "Bergischer Lowe" Genuine Buffalo Horn Handle. Blade has gold plated
accents. Carbon steel, full hollow, 5/8" blade. Shading can vary from
picture shown due to natural material. #str-bl $163.75 |
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"Old West" style genuine buffalo horn handle.
Blade has gold plated accents. Carbon steel, full hollow, 5/8" blade.
Shading can vary from picture shown due to natural material. #str-oldw
$172.50 |
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Violet Wood handle. Carbon steel, extra hollow ground, 5/8" blade.
Wood grain can vary due to natural material. #str-vwd $156.95 |
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Bismark black or red handle. Carbon
steel, full hollow, 6/8" blade. Celluloid handle with imitation pearl
inlay. #str-bsm $102.95 |
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OUT OF STOCK
- Grey Bone handle with carbon steel, full hollow, 5/8" blade. #str-bone
$109.75 |
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Ebony Wood handle with engraving plate. Carbon
steel, half hollow, 5/8" blade. #str-ewdw $109.75 |
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OUT OF STOCK
- Pakka Wood brown handle. Carbon steel, full hollow ground, 5/8" blade. #str-pw
$92.75 |
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OUT OF STOCK
- Imitation Mother of Pearl handle. Carbon steel, full hollow,
5/8" blade. Gold plating along shank. #str-imp $92.75 |
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Black or Blond synthetic handle. Carbon steel,
half hollow, 5/8" blade. #str-syn
$62.95 |
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Imitation
Tortoise handle. Carbon steel, full hollow #str-tort |
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Stainless Steel Blades: |
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Genuine Mother of Pearl handle. Stainless steel, full hollow, 5/8" blade.
#str-gmp $229.50 |
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Olive Wood handle. Stainless steel, full hollow, 5/8"
blade. Wood grain can vary from picture due to natural material. #str-ow $129.95 |
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Ivory or Black Micarta Wood handle. Stainless
steel, full hollow, 5/8" blade. #str-mw $129.75 |
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"Renaissance" Imitation Ivory
handle. Stainless steel, full hollow, 6/8" blade. Metal inlay detailing
on handle end. #str-ren $148.50 |
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Genuine Ebony wood handle, stainless steel, hollow ground, 5/8" blade.
Gold seal on handle is removable. #str-ebno
$109.50 |
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Stainless steel polished or matt finsih handle with stainless steel blade, full hollow,
5/8" blade. #str-ss $109.50 |
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Razor Strop Paste
- Strop paste in four varieties depending upon your needs. Each paste is
used for a specific purpose and on separate strops. #str-paste,
$5.25 |
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Note:
Do not mix strop pastes on the same surface. |
Yellow band tube - A semi-transparent
fat used as a conditioner on the leather side of the everyday strop.
Good preparation paste for the new strop and helps to keep it soft and
subtle. There are no sharpening attributes. Use on a new strop by
rubbing/working in a small amount with the heel of your palm. Use as needed
after that... No band tube - A white clay-like
paste used as an edge polish on the linen side of the strop only, if
the linen side is used.
Red band tube -
A paste with
mild sharpening properties for use on a slightly dull edge.
Green band tube -
A course
particle paste for use on a very dull edge. |
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Hanging Strops
- Swivel loop for hanging and comes in four varieties depending on your needs
and budget. #str-stph |
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>
Hanging Strops from left to right >
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High quality extra wide Russian leather strop. This wider model is
easier to use, or for starting out, as the blade will not need to be stropped
in a diagonal "X" pattern. No linen back. Stitched and riveted construction
for extra durability. Nickel plated handle and swivel hook. 3 1/4"
wide
by 15" usable leather length. $66.50
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Finest Russian leather strop
with linen back, swivel hook and padded leather handle. 2" wide by 16" usable
leather length. $64.75
~ Finest Russian leather strop with linen back. Nickel
plated handle and swivel hook. 1 3/4" wide by 13 1/4" usable
leather length. $44.95
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Genuine cowhide leather strop with fine weave linen back. Economical
model that does the job or makes a good second strop for paste. Nickel
plated handle and swivel hook. 1 3/4" wide by 12" usable leather
length. $34.50 |
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Paddle Style Strops
- Paddle strops in several styles depending on your needs. You can use the
leather side only for everyday needs and start with the other side/s when
sharpening action is needed depending upon how dull the blade is. Makes a good
travel strop due to their more compact size and you don't need a hook to hang
them for use. #str-stpd |
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A) Front
/ Back
B)
Front / Back
C) Front /
Back
D) Sides 1,2 / Sides 3,4 |
Paddles with sharpening paste on one
side: A) Russian Leather
and green paste loom style adjustable strop. Natural leather
on one side and green paste on the other for sharpening a dull edge. Turn
handle to adjust the belt tension. 1 1/2" wide by 7 3/4 long usable
surface on each side $49.95
B) Russian Leather and natural wood handle with two sided hollow core and
felt padding underneath leather side. Back has a balsa wood base coated with red sharpening
compound to sharpen a dull edge and then finish on the leather side. Makes a good travel companion due to its compact size.
1 1/2" wide by 7 3/4 long usable surface on each side. $48.50
Paddles with sharpening stone on one
side:
NOTICE: In regard to the stone
side of paddles C) or D): We strongly advise against the use
of these paddles if the user is not skilled in sharpening straight razors as
it could do more harm than good. Further, on the stone side use water and
never use oil as it will clog the pores. C) Quality Russian
leather front with sharpening stone on the back. Fine grain stone for
mildly dull edges. 1 1/2" wide by 7 3/4 long usable surface on each
side. $49.95 D) Four sided
paddle strop does it all. Includes regular leather side, fine grain
sharpening stone, black paste leather side and red paste leather side. For
sharpening a dull blade when necessary start with the stone. Then strop on
the red leather, then the black leather and finish up on the Russian
leather. Compact and easy to use with experience. 1 1/16" wide by 8 1/4" long usable
surface on each side. $68.95 |
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Razor holder
#mntb-rs in nickel or gold finish. Display your razor proudly with
these distinctive stands - available on the
razors page. This holder will work for many straight razor handle
styles. Note: These holders
do not work for all straight razor handles depending on the thickness.
Therefore, please notice the "specs" for the fork opening to help determine if it will work for your particular needs.
Examples: |
For alum blocks and styptic
click here... |
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<---------------------
From the Dovo factory...
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FAQ: First time purchasers:
What is the difference between a carbon blade and a
stainless steel blade - Carbon steel is more flexible and easier to
sharpen but doesn't hold the edge as long as stainless. Because carbon is
more flexible it can provide an even closer shave. Stainless steel is a little harder to sharpen and holds an edge longer. Carbon will
rust very quickly if not kept completely dry between use. Even though stainless
steel can corrode if kept wet for extended time, it is easier to care for.
Because carbon steel is easier to put an edge on, it is sometimes
recommended for the beginner, however be sure to dry it off completely after
use. For extended storage a light coating of fine grade machine oil (for
example sewing machine oil) can be used.
What does "ground" mean: - The three main
grounds talked about are the half hollow, full hollow and extra hollow blades. The major difference is the degree of flexibility that each
ground provides with the half hollow being the least flexible, and the extra
hollow being the most flexible, and the full hollow being in-between.
The more flexible the blade, the more experienced the user should be because
the risk of nicks are greater.
What about the blade width
- The normal blade width is 5/8". Blades that are narrower than that are
more firm and less flexible. Blades that are wider than that are thinner and more flexible.
Therefore, the wider, thinner and more flexible blades are better suited for
an experienced user. In addition, the wider and more flexible blades are more
difficult to use under the nose or in hard to reach areas.
Where should someone new to
straight razors start - When selecting a blade the
main considerations are blade ground, blade width and razor care. A half
hollow to full hollow in 5/8" or less would be the better place to start.
Because the more hollow the ground, coupled with the more wider the blade,
means maximum flexibility. While a wider and more flexible edge can make for the ultimate in closeness, it also takes an experienced straight razor shaver
to reduce risks of undue injury. With the
narrower and less hollow blade ground it is easier to see, and to know,
where the blade edge is actually going to shave. In other words, as you go up in width and
degree of ground hollowness, it is more difficult to know where the blade edge will actually
cut - this is because the edge has much more flex, thereby making for more difficulty in the shave.
Therefore until you gain some experience you may want to stay away from, or re-think, starting with a 6/8" extra
hollow ground carbon blade razor for example.
What else is needed to start
- A strop to refresh and sharpen the blade before daily use and a strop
paste/fat for priming a new strop. When selecting a strop the wide model is
easier for starting out as the blade will not need to be stropped in a
diagonal "X" pattern. This will be adequate for many shaves, and more supplies
can be acquired later as desired or needed.
Additional info:
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Straight razor general use
information
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Strop use and care
With patience and practice you can enjoy some of
the closest shaves possible.
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Straight Razor Disclaimer and Notice:
Straight razors are sharp and cuts can occur. Educate yourself and start by
shaving small, easy to reach areas first and exercise caution. The use of a
straight razor, or any shaving product, is at the user's own risk. Em's Place
assumes no liability or responsibility for any person using razors, blades or
any other shaving or sharp products. Always keep these instruments out of the
reach of children and pets.
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