Dorco PL-602 Plastic DE Razor

[WhoRu]

While slumming through the local discount/cheap-o stores looking for shaving gear, I run across this little gem in a $.99 cent store.

A plastic 2-piece DE razor by Dorco.

Front of Package


The design is what really caught my eye. Usually 2 piece razors tighten from both end onto the tube of the handle. Over time, this probably causes the handle to crack slightly.

The Dorco is different as it uses the handle as the tightening mechanism.

Back of Package


There is also a little dot of plastic that sticks out on either side of the handle.
I have assumed this is used to indicate when the razor is properly tightened.
I just lined it up with the raised plastic bit below the blade guard.

You could probably tighten it a little less for a more aggressive shave.

(Sorry for the blurry pic. The macro mode on my P&S isn't the best)

Lining Up the Dot


It is decently constructed. There are indentations on either side of the blade to facilitate the removal of the blade, because the blade cap completely covers the side tabs of the blade.

Separated


Side tabs are completely covered.

Loading Blade


The blade is well centered and the exposure is even. There is no play in any part of the razor once everything is tightened.

Blade Loaded


Shaving With It:
I loaded up one of the included blades, lathered up with Arko Cool Shaving Cream.

First pass for me always tugs a little no matter the prep, blade, or razor used. The Dorco razor & blade were no different, but it doesn't really bother me.
The rest of the passes were fairly smooth. It did a better job on my neck than any other razors has! But not as well as some on the jawline.

By the end of it, I had a nearly smooth shave. Definitely rate it at DFS.

Conclusions:
This razor is light. Very light. Adding the blade most likely doubled its weight!
The lightness makes you want to apply more pressure, so you gotta watch out for that.
The Dorco blade was pretty smooth IMO. Not as sharp as a feather. Maybe around the same sharpness as a Shark SC, but YMMV.
It is a little more aggressive than, say a Super Speed, but less than any open comb I have used.

Overall a great little shaver!

My only complaint is the bottom of the handle still has rough bits of plastic attached. Everything else was pretty professional.

I will definitely head back to pick up some more!

[WhoRu]

Just had my second shave with this lightweight, and it went smoothly!
I just had better control this time around since I knew what to expect.

While I was shaving I had some ideas! Since it was plastic, and it threads at the top, AND its cheap, why not modify it?

The handle is hollow, why not fill to add more weight?
The threads are at the top, why not trim the handle down for a cheap travel sized razor?

I think there is potential here for slightly customized razors on the cheap.

Also, I should mention the handle is pretty long. Longer than a Slim. It is officially the longest razor I own. It fits well in my hand.

[CB_DoubleEdge]

Great. First it was antique malls and flea markets. Now I'm going to start scavenging dollar stores for shaving gear?

Damn you!!!

[talibeard]

That razor looks like the successor of the PL-501 which is reviewed here (by me too). Certainly not bad for what it is with only one minor design flaw; it is kinda tricky to get the used blades out.

[taffy]

Looks a bit like the boots razor, and a similar design.

[talibeard]

Looks a bit like the boots razor, and a similar design.

Never could take a close look on one of those but I think the Boots razor is Pakistani made while the Dorco is Korean. Which doesn't mean that there can be similarities in design of course.

[taffy]

Never could take a close look on one of those but I think the Boots razor is Pakistani made while the Dorco is Korean. Which doesn't mean that there can be similarities in design of course.

Yes I think I read somewhere it was made by treet.

[iamdarkangel2005]

This is the first one I have seen on that type of presentation.

There use to be one called PL-150 and came in a clear case. Yellow Color outside box. Haven't tryed those yet.

One thing I did noticed it says : Manufactured in Ningbo. There is no Chinese Factory there yet. So I might thing this is not authorized to be sold by Dorco.

I also noticed it has the St300 design on it. I am really doubting this is made by Dorco now........

..

[Masterblaster]

While I was shaving I had some ideas! Since it was plastic, and it threads at the top, AND its cheap, why not modify it?

The handle is hollow, why not fill to add more weight?

perhaps you coul unscrew the handle from your $150 Feather Stainless DE razor or your Muhle

This R42SR Muhle handle (at $195) would look pretty good on the Dorko :)

[AmishFury]

wouldn't be too bad as a travel razor for those who get a bit worried about leaving their razors behind in a hotel room

[WhoRu]

perhaps you coul unscrew the handle from your $150 Feather Stainless DE razor or your Muhle

This R42SR Muhle handle (at $195) would look pretty good on the Dorko :)

The part with the safety bar doesn't come off. It is attached at the collar piece below it. I gonna buy more and see what I can do with them. :)

[Telecaster52]

Which dollar store was it at?

[WhoRu]

Which dollar store was it at?

I found it at a 99 Cent Store.

This is the first one I have seen on that type of presentation.

There use to be one called PL-150 and came in a clear case. Yellow Color outside box. Haven't tryed those yet.

One thing I did noticed it says : Manufactured in Ningbo. There is no Chinese Factory there yet. So I might thing this is not authorized to be sold by Dorco.

I also noticed it has the St300 design on it. I am really doubting this is made by Dorco now........

I am only going by what it say on the pack. :)

::edit::
Found this link for a Russian Dorco store

Don't know how legit it is.

[Presbyteros]

Heck, I'll buy a sack of manure if it's only $2.

[Jooky]

I keep hitting all the dollar stores in my area in hopes of finding something like this. No luck so far. I guess I will keep looking.

[RSC]

I bought one of these yesterday for $1 at the Escalon Dollar Plus store in Escalon, CA. Also for $1 a 10-pack of no name twin blade cartridges *without* the lube strip. I haven't tried either yet.

[Jooky]

Would anyone that has these locally be willing to pick up a few and ship them? My stupid dollar stores never have anything good.

[MajorTom]

Would anyone that has these locally be willing to pick up a few and ship them? My stupid dollar stores never have anything good.

Pretty sure Garry's Sample Shop has them for sale. Probably your best bet.

[RSC]

Would anyone that has these locally be willing to pick up a few and ship them? My stupid dollar stores never have anything good.

These aren't actually local for me. I was on my way to the Bay Area and Escalon is about a one and a half hour drive away for me.

[Jooky]

Pretty sure Garry's Sample Shop has them for sale. Probably your best bet.

Hey, thanks for the tip, I will check his store.