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!

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 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 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.

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.

Along the lines of:
"Whaaaaa! My coffee was too hot! Where's my lawyer?"
"Whaaaaa! My razor was too sharp! Where's my lawyer?"

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.

good luck, good shaving,

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 .

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.