Unless you paid for the razor to be hand honed, it almost certainly is NOT shave ready. You'll need to get that done. There are plenty of gents here who can provide the service.

Assuming good beard prep, the blade should cut like a hot knife through butter. DON'T EVER FORCE A STRAIGHT RAZOR THROUGH YOUR BEARD! Unless you want to be called Scarface.

The hollow ground razor will always sound as it pops the hairs of your beard.

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