Do razors normally come with a dull blade?

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07-23-2009, 04:07 AM
jroffler

Do razors normally come with a dull blade?

Hello, this is my first post. Ijust bought a Dovo "Best Quality" straight razor and put two shaves on it. The razor came with the perforated sticker over the case intact, so I know it has not been tampered with before it got to me, but both shaves I have put it through thus far have felt as if I was tearing more hair out than actually cutting off. I stropped 50 times before each shave, but after the initial stroke or two, the blade would start snagging on hair.

Is my blade just unusually dull or is it typical for razors to arrive in this condition? Would you recommend that I attempt to sharpen the blade myself, or should I ask a local barber for help?
07-23-2009, 04:11 AM
BKratchmer

Welcome to SRP! Prepare to be inundated by helpful folk....we're awfully glad you're here!

To answer your questions, YES, they come quite dull. There are a handful of very talented folk you can contact through the 'classifieds' here who can hone it for you for a price, or (I think he's still doing this) Utopian has been offering free honing to new shavers. I'm sure he'll pop in here sooner or later and let you know.

I wouldn't take it to a local barber, as many of them have never used a real straight- and even one old enough to have used one may never have honed his own razors.

Best of luck, and again welcome!
07-23-2009, 04:18 AM
JimmyHAD

Welcome to SRP. Was the blade advertised as being previously honed to 'shave ready'? Have you previous experience in stropping and shaving with a straight razor ? There is a learning curve to stropping and shaving. A shave ready razor can be made dull with a few improper strokes on a strop is the reason I ask. There are techniques of skin stretching, blade angle and beard preparation that take some practice too before the shaves become comfortable and close.

IOW, sometimes it isn't the arrow but the Indian. If it was sold as shave ready you should contact the vendor and see if he will touch it up for you. If it was not sold as shave ready you could send it off to a honemiester for sharpening. Honing your own is yet another learning curve. IME best approached after you're experienced in straight razor shaving and know that you are going to continue with it.
07-23-2009, 04:21 AM
jroffler

Quote:

Originally Posted by BKratchmer

Welcome to SRP! Prepare to be inundated by helpful folk....we're awfully glad you're here!

To answer your questions, YES, they come quite dull. There are a handful of very talented folk you can contact through the 'classifieds' here who can hone it for you for a price, or (I think he's still doing this) Utopian has been offering free honing to new shavers. I'm sure he'll pop in here sooner or later and let you know.

I wouldn't take it to a local barber, as many of them have never used a real straight- and even one old enough to have used one may never have honed his own razors.

Best of luck, and again welcome!

Wow, that was a quick reply. Thank you very much for the advice, I'll be sure to check the classifieds!

Is there any reason why razors are sent out dull? I hope Dovo isn't staffed by pranksters..
07-23-2009, 04:26 AM
jroffler

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Welcome to SRP. Was the blade advertised as being previously honed to 'shave ready'? Have you previous experience in stropping and shaving with a straight razor ? There is a learning curve to stropping and shaving. A shave ready razor can be made dull with a few improper strokes on a strop is the reason I ask. There are techniques of skin stretching, blade angle and beard preparation that take some practice too before the shaves become comfortable and close.

IOW, sometimes it isn't the arrow but the Indian. If it was sold as shave ready you should contact the vendor and see if he will touch it up for you. If it was not sold as shave ready you could send it off to a honemiester for sharpening. Honing your own is yet another learning curve. IME best approached after you're experienced in straight razor shaving and know that you are going to continue with it.

It wasn't advertised as shave ready. I'm assuming it was never touched by anyone but myself, as it was sealed with the perforated dovo sticker still intact.

I have never used a straight razor or strop before, so it is also quite possible that I botched the stropping job. In my defense, however, I did spend about three weeks reading the forums and watching youtube videos of how to do things properly. Perhaps I just need practice.
07-23-2009, 04:29 AM
JimmyHAD

Quote:

Originally Posted by jroffler

Wow, that was a quick reply. Thank you very much for the advice, I'll be sure to check the classifieds!

Is there any reason why razors are sent out dull? I hope Dovo isn't staffed by pranksters..

If you are new to straight razor shaving then you may find it difficult to get a good shave even if the razor is sharp. As a rule you are better off buying a razor from one of the vendors such as Straight Razor Designs, Vintage Blades or Classic Shaving that offers shave ready razors. IOW, pre honed after they leave the factory. Here is a tutorial from the SRP Wiki by SRP founder and honemiester Lynn Abrams with recommendations for the first straight razor shaves.
07-23-2009, 04:34 AM
BKratchmer

Quote:

Originally Posted by jroffler

I have never used a straight razor or strop before, so it is also quite possible that I botched the stropping job. In my defense, however, I did spend about three weeks reading the forums and watching youtube videos of how to do things properly. Perhaps I just need practice.

Well, if you've been studying that much you're on the right track. And yes, you probably botched it. So did I....and Jimmy....and probably Lynn himself before his first shave. :) We all must learn...and practice! I've been doing this for four months now, and I still have some days when it feels like I might as well have stropped on a sidewalk.
07-23-2009, 04:46 AM
jroffler

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

If you are new to straight razor shaving then you may find it difficult to get a good shave even if the razor is sharp. As a rule you are better off buying a razor from one of the vendors such as Straight Razor Designs, Vintage Blades or Classic Shaving that offers shave ready razors. IOW, pre honed after they leave the factory. Here is a tutorial from the SRP Wiki by SRP founder and honemiester Lynn Abrams with recommendations for the first straight razor shaves.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BKratchmer

Well, if you've been studying that much you're on the right track. And yes, you probably botched it. So did I....and Jimmy....and probably Lynn himself before his first shave. :) We all must learn...and practice! I've been doing this for four months now, and I still have some days when it feels like I might as well have stropped on a sidewalk.

Hahah, thanks for making it sound like a right of passage :)
07-23-2009, 04:59 AM
JimmyHAD

Hang in there. It is good that your already studying. Get the razor sharpened and then more practice and you'll be enjoying the shaves sooner than later.
07-23-2009, 06:41 AM
Leighton

Quote:

Originally Posted by jroffler

Is there any reason why razors are sent out dull? I hope Dovo isn't staffed by pranksters..

They aren't dull. They just aren't sharp. IMHO.

Making them shave ready would require too much time and costs on their part to make it worthwhile. Plus, theres no guarantee the nice edge they put on the blade would survive the shipping and storage. Theres also the question of whether they can even find enough people to properly hone the sheer volume of razors they produce. I kind of doubt it.

As for the other stuff, good replies so far. I'm also offering free honing right now. No one on this site will steer you wrong though.
07-23-2009, 08:05 AM
Utopian

Quote:

Originally Posted by BKratchmer

To answer your questions, YES, they come quite dull. There are a handful of very talented folk you can contact through the 'classifieds' here who can hone it for you for a price, or (I think he's still doing this) Utopian has been offering free honing to new shavers. I'm sure he'll pop in here sooner or later and let you know.

Well, I feel obligated to "pop in." Yes, the odd thing about the semantics of Dovo razors is that they come from the factory "sharpened." The razor in this state should be considered to be dull. If you buy a Dovo that is not described as having anything beyond what was done at the factory, that razor is dull. Several sites sell Dovos that are then "pre-sharpened," and this occurs AFTER they have been sharpened.:thinking::shrug::banghead::beer2:

These razors that are described as pre-sharpened, or shave ready, should in fact be ready to shave. If you are struggling with a razor, you have to sort out the issue of is it you or is it the razor? If the razor is dull, no amount of technique is going to give you a good shave. If the razor is sharp, poor technique will still give you a poor shave. You have to start with a sharp blade.

I am still doing the free honing. If you're interested, just send me a PM.
07-23-2009, 08:44 AM
AFDavis11

Yes! And guns usually come unloaded.
07-23-2009, 09:19 AM
Rajagra

Quote:

Originally Posted by jroffler

I hope Dovo isn't staffed by pranksters..

Haha I like that thought.

The reality is that Dovo don't need to do a better job of sharpening their razors - they already sell as many as they can produce. And as crazy as it sounds, if they sent them out as sharp as possible, they would probably be at risk of being sued by people who cut themselves.:gaah:

Along the lines of:
"Whaaaaa! My coffee was too hot! Where's my lawyer?"
"Whaaaaa! My razor was too sharp! Where's my lawyer?"
07-23-2009, 01:19 PM
Bruce

jroffler,

I'd take Utopian up on his offer to hone the razor for you. He won't hone a razor for me ;) but I understand he does very good work and at a price you can't beat. Once your razor is properly sharpened then the question of "is it me or is it the razor?" can be easily answered. If you are starting out with straight shaving, the answer for your new DOVO question is probably a bit complex as even with a sharp razor, there likely are issues with technique that may may the razor seem to be uncooperative.

After the grinding process at the factory, the blades are given a lick and a promise on a hone. It's just not enough for good shaving edge - at least I haven't found it so. Then again, I don't win door prizes either. :shrug:

good luck, good shaving,
07-23-2009, 01:34 PM
JimmyHAD

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rajagra

Haha I like that thought.

The reality is that Dovo don't need to do a better job of sharpening their razors - they already sell as many as they can produce.

This reminds me of NY city tattoo legend Professor Charlie Wagner who tattooed on the Bowery from 1897 to 1953.

When San Diego tattooist Doc Webb was starting out he read an ad in Popular Mechanics and bought a mail order tattoo machine from Wagner. When the machine arrived it was in pieces. A box of parts that needed assembly.

Doc Webb wrote the Professor a letter asking how to put it together and Wagner replied that if you don't know how to put it together and tune it up you have no business having it. :D
07-23-2009, 01:40 PM
JimmyHAD

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce

jroffler,

I'd take Utopian up on his offer to hone the razor for you. He won't hone a razor for me ;) but I understand he does very good work and at a price you can't beat.

With Sham, Utopian and now Leighton offering free honing I guess the only way for me to break into it is to offer to pay the customer for allowing me to hone their razor . :banghead:

I'm trying to work out an equitable amount to offer. Stay tuned, once I decide what the amount I will pay will be I will post it and you can earn while I hone. :roflmao
07-23-2009, 06:34 PM
John Crowley

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Welcome to SRP. Was the blade advertised as being previously honed to 'shave ready'? Have you previous experience in stropping and shaving with a straight razor ? There is a learning curve to stropping and shaving. A shave ready razor can be made dull with a few improper strokes on a strop is the reason I ask. There are techniques of skin stretching, blade angle and beard preparation that take some practice too before the shaves become comfortable and close.

IOW, sometimes it isn't the arrow but the Indian. If it was sold as shave ready you should contact the vendor and see if he will touch it up for you. If it was not sold as shave ready you could send it off to a honemiester for sharpening. Honing your own is yet another learning curve. IME best approached after you're experienced in straight razor shaving and know that you are going to continue with it.

This is something that makes it difficult for the person doing the honing too. Often a new straight razor shaver who has not paid attention to stropping technique will take a well honed sharp razor and round off the edge through poor stropping technique. Another mistake new straight razor shavers make is assuming that a sharp razor is the only key to a good shave. The tougher your beard the more you have to pay attention to beard preparation. If you don't soften it up it doesn't matter how sharp your blade is, it won't shave you properly.:)