Thread: 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?

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!

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.

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..

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.