Thread: Starting out

Greetings!!

I am new to straght razor shaving and this website. After reading for several weeks I purchased a Dovo Special as my first razor. I'm not certain if it comes shave ready or it needs to be honed and stropped before it is used for the first time.

Welcome, could you help us answer your question and mention where you bought it from? Good luck.

Unless it was specified as shave ready, more than likely it's just sharp. Look at the item description or even call your vendor. If you don't know & wish to guarantee that it's shave ready, send it to one of the vendors in the classifieds & then you will "know". If you are starting out, a true "shave ready" SR is the only way to go since you will be dealing the plenty other stuff, at least you could rule the blade out. If you do send it off, don't strop it or anything, just shave wiith it for the first time.

Welcome!!! where did you get the Dovo at? Its an excellent razor, was my first as well and is a great shaver!!!

If you ordered from somewhere like SRD or Classic Shaving it will be shave ready. If you ordered from a lesser known vendor or a small store, the chances are that it wont be.

The way to find out is to give it a test shave. One pass and you'll know...!

If the razor pulls at all, or does not remove hair then it is not shave ready and you'll need to send it to a pro. Check the classifieds for member services to find a honemeister in your area.

If you're not sure it may be best to send it out and then you'll know for sure that its good to go...!

Thats a good razor you have there and it will give you great shaves when it is properly honed.

Good luck!

+++1 On the previous posts. It would help to know what merchant you bought your razor from before your question can be answered. Dovo advertises their str8 razors as "shave ready" right from the factory and a merchant who does not know much about srt8 razor shaving will assume that it is. It's not...Make sure that it was "professionally honed" by a honemeister such as Lynn Abrams or any of the SRP members who offer their services for this purpose in the SRP "Classifieds."

You've got a great razor there chief. Make sure that the blade is sufficiently sharp for your beard to insure that you will have an enjoyable shaving experience.

Thanks for all the replies.

I made the purchase at a small place in NYC called the New York Shaving Company. I drove into the City this morning because I wanted to speak to someone who knew about straight razor shaving and I wanted to "touch" the razor I purchased since everyone on the SRP boards indicates the razor should feel good to the user.
So I went in and had a great morning. I was treated to a wonderful shave and mudpack, some instructions from the gentleman who shaved me on how to hold the razor and the best way to shave.

I was told it was ready to shave but don't know if that includes hone an stropping. I still have much to learn. I bought the Dovo due to all the recommendations here on the site.
Thanks for all the advice.

I'm going to take a shot on this thread, as now is as good a time as any. It seems like you probably have a potentially shave ready razor in your mitts. That was a lucky call. If they actually use real straights chances are good it'll be shave ready, or they will make it that way afterwards.

All razors need honing eventually and all razors need to be "tweeked". Read up, enjoy the info. Get yourself a hone and strop and start shaving.

Keep the whole "shave ready" thing a good starting point. But, just a starting point.

We put a lot of emphasis on "shave ready" but by itself it won't get you a good shave.