Thread: Thier's-Issard shave ready?

So i'm new to straight razors and i recently bought a TI and i was wondering if these usually came shave ready or if i would have to hone it myself.... kind of new to straight razors and the shop said it was shave ready, but eh... can't really trust people who just want to sell a product.

Welcome to SRP. If it is a reputable shop, such as Straight Razor Designs, it is truly shave ready. There are other reputable shops. The only way to know is to try it. Remember that there is a learning curve with straight razors, so it may not necessarily be what you're used to with whatever you're shaving with now.

This is true, since i bought it at "The Art of Shaving" in NYC I've actually nicked myself twice already haha *sadface* and ty for the kind welcoming ^_^ hope to learn a lot here

I actually had a TI that was "shave ready" right from the factory.

I was visiting Phil of the Classic Edge here in Ontario a few years back, and he wanted me to try the factory edge, he said if it wasn't up to snuff, he'd hone it as he usually does new razors.

Took it back, and had to admit, it was a very nice edge, had no problem with it.

Now Dovo on the other hand, never had a shave ready edge with one, and frankly, after having one honed by a couple of different pro's, still didn't really have a shave ready edge - never had good experiences with Dovo, but then hopefully they're QA has improved from a few years back...my opinion only...with the obligatory YMMW.

I have 3 TI and 2 Dovo. Each purchased new from various suppliers. None were honed by the supplier. No matter, I honed them myself and each gives a great shave.

Just my experience.

It's a lucky dip from the factory but possibly the higher end ones are honed.
I had a "Special Coifeurr" in last week that was nowhere near bevel set let alone shave ready.

This one, a Spartacus, with the factory edge was pretty much perfect, sang a beautiful song...only thing it's had outside the factory was a thorough refresh on a Escher....

Yep, just depends on where you buy it from. Some shops will hone it again as they receive it from the factory. This honing is typically more detailed and done on actual whetstones rather than the factory wheels they also use during mass production.

Originally Posted by quicksilver

Yep, just depends on where you buy it from. Some shops will hone it again as they receive it from the factory. This honing is typically more detailed and done on actual whetstones rather than the factory wheels they also use during mass production.

Both DOVO and Thiers-Issard finish hone their razors on whetstones, then strop them. It's definitely a matter of personal preference and a good sprinkling of YMMV regarding perceived shave-readiness.

From my experience, they could use improvement out of the box. Im thinking now if a simple shot of CromOX would be enough ... its been a couple years since i got my last TI though they will most always be in my collection.