Originally Posted by
honedright
This is why I don't sell my razors on eBay as "shave ready." Shave ready is too subjective. It's like giving a guy who's never played golf a top of the line set of clubs and then expecting him to win a tournament his first time playing just because the clubs are "golf ready." Or putting a non racer behind the wheel of the same car that won the Indy 500 and expecting him to do the same because the car is "race ready."
Even though you have the best tools, it takes time to learn to use them to their potential.
Scott
(Edit: In addition to the above, I think the term "shave ready" is somewhat misleading as evidenced by the experience of this OP and several other new posters/ SR users. Somehow, shave ready implies that the razor can just be picked up and deliver, at least, a good shave. But, as of late, and maybe even further back, I've read many posts by guys who have purchased a shave ready razor only to report "the worst shave of my life", or "worst shave ever", etc.
So, I will hone and strop a new razor for a customer, if requested. But I always advise that it will take considerable practice to get that best shave experience.)