The formative company in Solingen, Germany.
»DOVO« Solingen – a name and a place which stand for quality, design and experience. Since 1906 we engage daily in development, presentation and production of premium straight razors and grooming items. All over the world our products are valued highly, and they often last a lifetime.
Ten chapters, from the founding year 1906 to the present day.
The founding year of the company "DOVO" Stahlwaren is 1906, according to documents from the district court of the then free municipality Wald near Solingen. In the beginning the company »DOVO« was a pure razor factory with forge and hollow grinding. The founders were Dorp and Voos.
In 1930 Solingen had become larger through incorporation (including the community of Wald) and the regulation on the protection of the name Solingen in 1938 gave pride and security and an even greater sense of home.
When Dorp and Voos wanted to retire, Fritz Bracht took over the company »DOVO« shortly before the 2nd World War started. A good grip, since the little knight with sword and hammer had conquered markets in Western Europe and North America in the meantime. Even during the war the knight symbol managed to find and consolidate its way abroad.
With the introduction of the electric shaver, Fritz Bracht had to secure a second foothold with hair scissors. He talked shop with the users in the salons of his hometown and elsewhere and learned what he wanted and needed to know about hair scissors. EUREKA, a hair and scalp scissors with a curved edge, brought new momentum to post-war operations.
In 1951 the young technician Mertens joins the company. He forges ahead with the production of scissors with the "old hands". Ernst Kirschbaum, who studied law and earned his doctorate, joined the company in 1953 as son-in-law. The need to catch up after the war and additional young workers allowed the company to grow with temperament.
“New brands for new markets.”The motto of the 1950s
The following brands were taken over by »DOVO« in the 50s:
The products in the 1950s catalogues were drawings and kept in black and white.
The following brands were taken over by »DOVO« in the 60s:
The products in the 1960s catalogues were still drawings, but were printed in colour for the first time.
The following brands were taken over by »DOVO« in the 70s:
In the 70s, advertising still looked a little different than it does today.
In 2006 »DOVO« celebrated its centenary. For the anniversary the company went through its archives and published a jubilee brochure – a look back at one hundred years of razor making in Solingen.
Since 2013 »DOVO« has concentrated mainly on its shaving products. Wet shaving is once again the most important topic in the company, and a new range of straight razors is introduced.
Razor production in Solingen is brought up to date – the work itself stays what it has always been: grinding, honing and finishing by hand.
After insolvency in 2020, »DOVO« makes a new start under new ownership.
The company refocuses on the product it was founded on in 1906: the straight razor – forged, hollow ground and finished by hand in Solingen.
120 years after its foundation, »DOVO« presents the Declaration of Independence Collection: 262 numbered straight razors, one for every year of American history from 1776 to 2026.
The 27 constitutional amendments each receive their own blade, fully plated in 24K gold. Every razor is engraved and certified in Solingen.
Quality, design and experience — in every straight razor and grooming item that leaves Solingen.
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