Thread: Is this combo kit enough to get “shave ready”?

Hi Everyone,

I am new to this, but I’ve been doing a lot of reading and I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my first razor. Unfortunately I placed my order before I found this site and I am wondering if I got the right stuff.

I ordered coolshaving.com/detail.cfm?ID=24 which includes a Dovo razor and strop and a stone. From what I’ve read here, I assume that I will need to hone the blade first, but is the stone that comes in the kit a high enough grit count?

Also, can I start out using the strop as-is, or do I definitely need to order some abrasive paste for it?

Thanks a bunch.

That stone is only usable for setting the bevel. Making it shave sharp will require higher grits. Otherwise you're off to a good start.

X

welcome to srp


should be ok, i believe these are col conk razors made by dovo. i haven't heard stellar reviews, but should be adequate. you need to have somebody hone it.
i don't think you want to use that hone on a razor, unless you plan to use several other hones after it.

Originally Posted by xman

That stone is only usable for setting the bevel. Making it shave sharp will require higher grits. Otherwise you're off to a good start.

X

Hey! You got one right!

+1 on sending the razor out to be professionally honed.Just look in the classifieds under "member services" and pick a honemeister close to you.That and proper stropping method(check the wiki)should get you going.I wouldn't worry about honing for a while.Try straight shaving for a month or so to see if it's for you.

Hi MuzzleVelocity,

Welcome to the forum!

Yes, you got the right stuff; that kit should serve you well. The hone is sufficient for maintaining the edge on your razor. Later on you'll likely want to get an even finer hone, or a pasted strop to get an even finer edge.

New DOVO razors generally have an ok edge. However, such "factory edges" really aren't as "shave ready" as they claim. You'll probably only need to use a few dozen passes on the strop to get the razor ready to go.

You probably won't need to hone your razor for a while. It is definitely a skill that takes time to learn, though. Much more important at first is learning how to use the strop. Using it properly can make all the difference.

If you know someone who uses a straight razor, by all means ask him to show you how. Or, if you can find a barber nearby who can show you the ropes of straight razor shaving, pay for a shave and for a lesson - then give him a nice tip! It will be money well spent.

Best Regards,
Jeff

I want to echo the suggestion to send it to someone to hone and make REALLY SHAVE READY.

The proper sharpness of the razoris so VERY IMPORTANT to the success of your shave = enjoyment.

It will be an extra pain in the ass step to send the razor off and pay the shipping...BUT I believe it is vital.

The BEST advice I received on shaving was
"FOCUS ON TECHNIQUE, THE HAIR WILL FOLLOW"

So true..Take your time...You'll not get good at shaving for ~ 6 months of practice.

So start off with the proper shaving tool.

Best wishes on this new pleasure.

Tom

I reckon you got a deal on the razor and strop.

Sending it off to Lynn to be honed would be the first step to shaving. Study the wiki and the forums while the razor is out.

MuzzleVelocity
Junior Member





Asks????


Is this combo kit enough to get “shave ready”?



Short answer ????
No, not even close, but they keep selling it anyway... Nice huh???

The stone I think somebody nailed them down and it is a 3k something????

The strop is usable but very, very, small so it is going to take a ton of extra laps to get there...

The razor is good however, not great, but a good solid shaver...

You just learned why this forum exists in the first place.. we help each other out as best as we can...

Your razor is going to need to be "Honed to Shave Ready" most of us have ads in the classifieds for that....

Good luck, welcome aboard and Great Screen Name !!!!