Thread: Buying My First Straight Razor

so i have been thinking of buying my first straight razor and so far i like this one


Dovo Straight Razor with Faux Mother of Pearl Scales, 5/8"


It says its pre-sharpened but it still needs to be honed apparently? what is the difference. All i have is a strop so far and a separate strop with some dovo red paste so will i need to have this sent out for someone else to do?

The Dovo Perlex is a very nice razor. No, I wouldn't count on it being shave ready, just because it says it's pre-sharpened. Very few razors (like 0.1%) are. There are some fine honemeisters on the site and those I've used are reasonably priced. I would send it out for honing and upon receiving it back, enjoy your first shave without stropping first. For subsequent shaved, go ahead and strop but not with the red paste. Paste is used for touching up a blade that's loosing its edge, not for daily stropping. And if you haven't already, viewed Lynn's video on stropping (and shavng for that matter), by all means, go to the main page and do so. Good luck and welcome to the fine art of shaving!

Originally Posted by Linebacker4753

It says its pre-sharpened but it still needs to be honed apparently? what is the difference. All i have is a strop so far and a separate strop with some dovo red paste so will i need to have this sent out for someone else to do?

The difference could be substantial, depending on the particular razor. Most are not very sharp, occasionally there are some that are.
I don't know if your strop will be enough, I don't have much experience with pastes.

Originally Posted by Linebacker4753

so i have been thinking of buying my first straight razor and so far i like this one


Dovo Straight Razor with Faux Mother of Pearl Scales, 5/8"


It says its pre-sharpened but it still needs to be honed apparently? what is the difference. All i have is a strop so far and a separate strop with some dovo red paste so will i need to have this sent out for someone else to do?

I just bought a razor at Straight Razor Design. They had the best price, especially when you consider it includes 2 free hones, once when you buy it and a second when it gets dull, just ship it back to them. Hones normally cost $20 so thats why I went with them. In addition, a number of ppl recommended them here. I have no affiliation with the company, but if you want to get it at the place you listed then pay them to hone it if they offer the service otherwise you'll have to ship it back out to someone who does and thats a hassle.

I don't get why retailers don't make it clear that they really aren't shave ready and need to be re-honed. Its common complaint I noticed when I read customer reviews complaining about razors being dull.

Here's another vote for making sure the razor is "shave ready." Few are that come from the factory, so either buy it from a dealer that hones it before you get it or send it to a good honemeister before you use it.

The strop will keep it sharp, but won't do much to get it shave ready if it's not. BTW, really nice razor. Enjoy it and welcome to the club.