My first razor... am I worried about nothing?

As some of you already know, I'm a church planter up here in rural Alberta, and since I can't afford much on my own, a bunch of folks got together and ordered me a presharpened Dovo Ebony Square from classicshaving.com... which is amazing seeing as a lot of them are unemployed - they really gave a lot.

Well, I got it in the mail today, and I was very excited to give it a try... but then I took a closer look at the blade and was concerned. It seems to be honed/worn more than a new razor should... but maybe I'm overreacting? Here are some pics (the best I could take with my camera):

First off is the heel on both sides... the bevel seems to be uneven, there looks like a lot of wear on the spine, and some good scuffs where the spine and tang meet.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3214/...4a714355_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3005/...0c2320ca_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3036/...85ba0d80_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3219/...0e2d7765_b.jpg

And then on the tip, there is the same wear on the spine, and the bevel on the tip seems to curve up a good deal.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3233/...9f0a73b9_b.jpg

So, am I worrying about nothing? Am I being too picky? Remember, this is my first straight razor, so I don't really know any better :-). I need your opinions!

~m

First off, I would say the toe looks fine. I have a few spikes and the point "smiles" a little on all of them. As for the heel, I think it is okay and honing with out tape, it would be expected to take some damage. As far as the hone wear. I have to believe that it was necessary. If this one came from classic shaving, then Lynn honed it and no one has honed more razors than he has. Bottom line, nothing I see gives me any great pause, and shave with it. That is the only way to tell if it is not honed properly.

Let us know how you make out!

-Rob

Agreed. Also, regarding the scuffs on the tang, that's the problem with gold on razors--if you use it you'll lose it.

Thanks folks. I thought I might be making a mountain out of nothing at all... that's why I thought I'd ask. Off to the shower and the first shave! I'll let you know how it goes!

~d

Hmmm. I didn't think that a razor purchased from Classic Shaving came with Lynn's sharpening service included. I understood it to be an additional charge above the razor price. If I am wrong, I am very happy to hear that...

He said it was ordered presharpened, dward. You can order them either way. Just to claify, the presharpened razors have a sticker on the box indicating so.

You are correct jimmyray. I missed that one...

That razor looks good to me. If it not for the gold plating, you probably wouldn't even notice the wear-which is unavoidable-unless you use tape...Having received Razors presharpened from Lynn-I can assure you that it is SHARP!.

My only caveat would be for you to be very aware of that square point and EXACTLY where it is at all times-lest you inflict a blood letting:). Give it a go and let us know how it shaves.

You see, that's why I love this place. Great advice, great insight, great info... now I know more than I did before. Thanks everyone, seriously.

And here is the first shave with it...