Dovo Shavette Razor Review – Shaves Like a Dream
Dovo Folding Shavette Razor
The Dovo Shavette is like a folding Shaving Razor with two kinds of replaceable blades: One long blade and one short blade. It’s designed to be used like a straight razor with disposable razor blades.
Pros
Sturdy and Solid metal Components
Easy comfort grip
Sleek Design
Easy to keep clean
Smooth and clean shaves
Works like a Straight Razor
Cons
Acquired Skill
Awkward to change the razor blades
The next step on our Shavette journey is the Dovo folding Shavette. At the risk of spoiling everything before we get way too deep into the review (if you couldn’t have figured it out from the title), this is probably one of the best shavettes I have tried. It combines the best feelings of German engineering with the prime comfort and style of something made state-side.
Makes it sound like I am talking about a car, but that isn’t too far off.
This is a prime example of the market adapting. The Dovo Shavette is an inexpensive (not cheap) option to either be a stepping stone to getting a high quality straight razor, or just a good place to stop and invest in.
Dovo uses a similar design like this one for their other shavettes. For the most part, any variations are in the scales and handle. Typically the variations are either wood or plastic. In this case, I decided to go with the metal version.
Brand/Company:
Dovo, also known as Dovo Solingen, is an old-time brand. They have produced shaving products from their factory in Solingen Germany since 1906. Their names are right up there with Muhle and Merkur as prime examples of German Shaving Products.
Beyond Shaving products, Dovo also produces other cutlery in the form of Scissors and Manicure clippers. They own several other shaving companies under the Dovo brand, including Merkur itself. In recent years though they have tried to focus more and more on shaving products rather than other cutlery.
Their high quality speaks for itself. Any chance I have to look at Dovo and Merkur products, I take.
Dovo Folding Shavette Features
- Stainless Steel with Matte Finish – Sleek design with a nice brushed metal look.
- All Metal parts – Strong Metal that won’t bend or break easily.
- Slim Profile – Takes up a very small amount of space,
- Two Replaceable Blade Lengths – Accommodates two different types of disposable Razor blades, one shorter blade the size of a normal razor blade and one meant for longer blades produced by Dovo.
- Plastic Insertable Blade Housings – Comes with 3 different plastic blade inserts. Two for the longer blades (one with a comb toothed edge and one smooth), and the other smaller insert for regular disposable razor blades.
- Dovo Logo – Dovo logo subtly stamped on the metal scales.
- Approximate Dimensions: 6 inches by 1 inch when closed, 9 inches by 1 inch when opened fully.
How does it Look and Feel?
The Dovo shavette looks really sleek and purposeful. There is almost a minimalism to it that makes it have a futuristic design. There are very few frills on this thing, and it feels very compact.
That is not to say that it isn’t comfortable to use or hold. There is a really nice rubberized grip on the shank and tang of the blade. While that may seem needless to most boomers who have been shaving for a good while, it actually makes the razor so much easier to hold. It also helps keep your grip steady when going for those smaller and tighter cuts.
The metal finish and material makes everything a great deal easier to clean as well. After the four shaves I have done with this razor, I’ve been easily able to rinse it off and let it air dry with no issue. Unlike some other razors I have used, there is no corrosion or water spots. The hinges are also really tight, keeping the blade from flopping open or closed while you are using it.
The only real downside to the look and design comes in the form of its very compact nature. If you are a guy with larger fingers, then you might have issues holding this razor, but that can be overcome.
The whole unit is very light as well, owing to its almost hollow design. It almost feels like a surgical scalpel in how light and balanced it is. If it wasn’t for how sturdy the construction was, I would almost assume I was holding nothing at all.
How does the Dovo Shavette perform and Shave?
In the process of reviewing this razor, I took about a week’s worth of time shaving. Every other day, using three passes each session: one with the grain using pre-shave oil, one across the grain using proraso pre-shave cream(red cap), and one against the grain using another proraso pre-shave cream (white cap).
The first two shaves were with the longer blade made for the Dovo shavette by the manufacturer, and the second two with the shorter blade which was from Muhle razors.
Long Blade (2.5 inches or 63.5 mm)
The Long Blade was a dream of an experience. The blade was nice and easy to control over the cheeks and down over my neck. Unlike other shavettes, the longer blade makes it much easier to avoid getting your skin caught on the corner of the blade.
This was just nothing like I had experienced from a Shavette so far. Believe it or not, I didn’t even NEED the other passes, mostly just doing them for completeness sake and making sure to catch places I might have missed.
The downside of the long blade is that it sometimes has issues if your face has a lot of contours to it. I sometimes have issues getting it down around my Adam’s apple, directly around the back of my jaw, or over my fat guy chins.
Honestly though, when I say it is a dream I mean it. My first time using this long blade there were zero nicks or cuts at all. My alum block had nothing to do at the end of the shave.
Short Blade (1.5 inches or 38.1 mm)
The short blade was somewhat of a different story than the long blade. Honestly, I might have wanted to do this one first, considering it only took me two shaves to get used to the length of the longer blade.
The shorter blade doesn’t seem like it would be much of a difference, but it really does. The bottom corner of the blade sticks out sort of awkwardly, and (like many shavettes) can bite if you are not being careful with it.
After getting used to the long blade, it is very easy to forget how much actual blade you are using, and might move too quickly. This gives you plenty of opportunity to bite into your skin. This one left a few marks until I got used to it.
The major upside to the short blade is that it can get in where the long blade can’t. It’s perfect for touch-ups and getting around those contours on your jaw and down around your Adam’s Apple.
Switching in and out is easy as 1-2-3 if you have the blades preloaded. This one razor is very adaptable.
Which leads us into…
How Easy is it to Use?
At the risk of sounding like a broken record in every review, the biggest ding in the score of this shavette is the same as the Bluebeards Revenge Cut-Throat Shavette Review. This razor works almost exactly like a straight razor, especially when you are using the long blade.
Why is that a complaint against the Dovo Shavette? As much as many people wouldn’t like to think about it, shaving with a Straight Razor is a skill you need to build over and over with practice. You can’t just flick out the razor and go to town, unless you want to be bleeding from a 1000 cuts on your face and neck.
All that being said and taken into account, once you have those skills this razor is great and really easy to use. It glides smoothly over your face, and works just as well as any straight razor could. I would say it even shaves smoother than a normal safety razor.
I would recommend this shavette to anyone who wants to get started with shavettes as well.
The only other issue that really comes up when Use is concerned is loading a new blade. Not loading it into the razor housing itself. That one is relatively easy. The issue is enclosing the blade in the plastic insert itself.
Like with other Shavettes, to load this thing, you need to have the blade prepared first. Keeping the blade in the paper wrapper, just bend it in half lengthwise. After a few seconds of bending, there should be a nice snap. Then you have your blade to load.
Unlike other Shavettes I’ve used, these don’t really click in place or latch closed. You place the blade in between the two halves of the plastic insert and fold them closed. In this case, they are held closed by the razor housing itself. Having a loose razor that can fall out of its plastic housing can be an issue.
Once it is put together in the razor, there are no issues, but if you have random blades sitting around in the open, that could be a safety hazard.
Consumer Complaints, Issues, and Overall Reviews
This Razor reviews very well on almost every site online, getting 4 or 5 stars. It’s easy to see why with all the glowing praise I have been heaping on it. However, my perspective isn’t the only one to take into account.
Some negatives that I noticed and are touched on by others online is that there are no real instructions for how to use the razor. As I mentioned above, the plastic housings don’t “click” or anything, so figuring out how to get them to fit requires some trial and error. That’s good for some things, but not for razor sharp steel. There is a QR code to scan on the package, but that just made me get ads on my phone.
A second issue that people comment on, and is very legitimate, is that the long blades are specifically proprietary Dovo blades. It might be possible to find blades that could fit that aren’t Dovo blades, but I haven’t been able to really find them easily. Dovo blades run around $20-$30 USD for a pack of 10. The blades are double-sided so that technically means 20 blades rather than one. That is on the expensive side for blades.
Others do complain the plastic inserts for the blade are flimsy and breakable. I can see their point, but overall they won’t break unless you are specifically attempting to snap them. Extended use could cause them to break if you are using a soap or pre-shave that has an acid base. Though, I wouldn’t see that happening unless you really soaked the thing constantly.
The final point to bring up here would be its price point. Honestly, it is relatively inexpensive, but still on the high end for a shavette. Most places I have found it, have the razor for between $35 or $45 USD, which is a bit much for a shavette. However, when you compare it to a straight razor, this one is a steal.
Final Thoughts – Who is the Dovo Shavette Best Suited For?
The Dovo Folding Shavette is for anyone who likes wet shaving. That is pretty much it. Anyone who enjoys wet shaving would probably really enjoy this product.
Overall though, this shavette is great for people who want to practice shaving before moving to a straight razor. This is even better for people who are just wanting a high-quality razor. I wouldn’t recommend it for shaving your scalp, but this is definitely great for guys who have thick facial hair that needs a blade that is on the aggressive side.
If you are reading this, buy the Dovo Shavette now. However, if you are on a budget, wait for sales or a coupon. It often comes up on sale or as a part of coupons.
Related: See all other Shavette Razor Reviews and Dovo Shavette vs Parker SR1 – Which is best for You?
