Thread: Japanese Frameback: Hairop

I posted about these Japanese framebacks a while back and ended up getting some. I kept one and two others now have one.

It came to me in near NOS condition. I don't know if it was ever used but it was in very good shape when I got it.

The razor is a frameback style razor that Japanese Barbers once used. The box says it is Swedish steel, I am not sure if that is true, but it is a posibility.

The razor blade portion is very thin and has a lot of flex. I honed it as I do all of my razors, a combination of lapping film and my Chosera hones and decded to finish it on the CroOx. I waited a couple of days before using it. I finally used it this morning.

Because the blade is so thin I was thinking it would be a noisy shaver but it has turned out that in not the case. Perhaps it is because it is so keen.

The razor slid/cut through my wiskers, litterally like a hot knife through butter. No noise just pure heaven. It left the first pass of my shave nearly BBS. I did my typical second pass and called it quits. My routine is WTG and a XTG only.

No irritation just a smooth slick face.

If you have the chance to try one of these I definately recomend it.

It will not dissapoint.

Where did you pick these up at? I'm quite interested.

Originally Posted by srkilpatrick

Where did you pick these up at? I'm quite interested.

I've seen one or two up on ebay, but always passed because I'd never heard anything about them. Keep an eye out, I guess.

Thanks for drawing the razor to our attention.

I just purchased a new DOVO and it is clearly labelled as Swedish steel and it is definately true.

It's a basic razor but gives a great shave.

It cost very little money it is very well made and it shaved straight out of the box. It's quite readily available.

I think it is their basic model that they sell to the hairdressing industry but to be honest you can pay ten times the price and not better the shave quality.

What's so special about the "Hairop" that has made you draw this razor to our attention?

Do you know exactly who made it and in which factory. Is it Japanese or just another a European export to Japan that has been sitting in a shop for some time?

Originally Posted by English

Thanks for drawing the razor to our attention.

I just purchased a new DOVO and it is clearly labelled as Swedish steel and it is definately true.

It's a basic razor but gives a great shave.

It cost very little money it is very well made and it shaved straight out of the box. It's quite readily available.

I think it is their basic model that they sell to the hairdressing industry but to be honest you can pay ten times the price and not better the shave quality.

What's so special about the "Hairop" that has made you draw this razor to our attention?

Do you know exactly who made it and in which factory. Is it Japanese or just another a European export to Japan that has been sitting in a shop for some time?

Well, I saw some of these for sale online and posted about them both here and on B&B and no one had seemed to have used them. So I got three and two went to members who had contacted me privately and one I wated to try out myself before I sold it. To be honest it is a great shaver and at a lower price but not my preference of razor style, and is already finding its way to its new home. I just wanted to draw attention to another type of razor that I had come accross.

I also think that these were produced for the hairdressing industry here in Japan and thus are ussually seen after they have been nearly completely used up. I have had several in auction lots that had very little of the blade left.

As for the manufaturer .... your guess is as good as mine. I would assume though that they were made here in Japan with steel that had been imported. Frankly most of the Japanese razors (that are western style) that I have come accross have been very well made and the ones I have honed were all easily honed and shaved very very well. I have a few in the classified that are made in Japan that are not framebacks but are all very similar to razors produced in both Europe and America.

Overall not expensive and good shavers.

I've just looked at the other examples you have for sale in the classifieds section.

They look great razors to me and for there age, they look in great condition. I don't think you would find the same on E Bay at twice the price. Its a shame you couldn't sell them in a shave ready condition as I have found that at that price level, many buyers are looking for a proven shave ready razor.

A quick surface polish and a sharpening and I think they are probably better than most modern razors at whatever price.

Good luck with your selling, they look to be a bargain.