Thread: So how 'bad' are shave-ready factory Dovo's?

Hi,

As newbie I am currently looking for my first real straight razor(I have been using a filarmonica with half DE blades in them) and I an looking to buy a beginners razor(perhaps in a set with a strop and some other things) and I was wondering how bad a new Dovo(or thiers-assard for that matter) blade is honed(and if a newbie will notice) compared to a blade from(for example) the classifieds section.

The wiki warns about 'shave ready' factory razors. But I'd love to know if any one has some experience with them.

Thanks!

The factory edges are sharp but the difference is that they are honed on a flat spinning wheel and then stropped rather than being honed by hand so the edges are much less refined.

IME they're not bad, just not as good as a hand honed edge. The ones I've honed so far have had bevels set pretty much fine, and I've been able to start the honing at 3k and go from there.

I dont know if anyone else has had one that needed a whole new bevel set though?

i havent seen anyone come up and to say they got shave ready facoty edge. Usually they are so far not shave ready . How bad or good doesnt matter .not shave ready means blade will not shave confortable.hope this helps

thanks for the input, but maybe I should clarify a little bit:

So generally when I would buy a beginners kit I'll still have to get the blade honed? Or is the factory sharpened edge good enough for a newbie?

@hi_bud_gl: I meant razors in beginner sets or advertised in shops as shave ready, but not as hand honed.

Dovo's don't come from the factory in a shave ready state. They are sharp but not shave ready. Quite a number of retailers offer a honing service at extra cost for new straights that you buy from them. It will need honing before you can shave with it.

Which shop / website advertized the razors as being shave ready ? Some vendors will hand hone the blades before selling them, but it's not everyone. Maybe someone here will know if the shop / website you looked at do indeed hone their blades.

If you want to be sure you buy a razor that has been honed, most blades in the classifieds are honed & are ready to use as soon as you get them. The listing will clearly say if it's shave ready or not. You can get a fantastic quality shave ready blade for less than 50$, which is a bargain compared to new blades. If you don't mind that the blade has a bit of "history" left on it, you can get them for even less. I bought a shave-ready razor on the classifieds for 15$ recently. It has some corrosion & scratches here & there, but it's the best shaver I currently own.

If you're looking for a good deal, the best thing to do is to get your razor from the classifieds. If you're looking for a GREAT deal, be patient & check the classifieds every day.

Good luck !

I bought my Dovo from a shop and they honed it which was included in the price. If you look around at posts there are mentions of shops that have very skilled honers. I am new to this as well I would suggest buying a less expensive one to start. There is a learning curve to keeping and edge and you might not want to have your nice blade sharpened weveral tiomes in the beginning.

Thanks for all the information, I'll ask the shops if the razors are honed before sending and have a look at the classifieds, are there any particular things I should look for over there(apart from honewear, shave ready and overall condition)?

I really am a newb

edit:
looking at http://straightrazorpalace.com/class...uct/8098/cat/3 and http://straightrazorpalace.com/class...uct/8355/cat/3

Both look quite 'the same' as condition is concerned, so is there a better choice?

Hi brickbag,
have a look at the [url=http://www.theinvisibleedge.co.uk/] they hone all their razors wether its dovo/TI or whatever so your guaranteed to get a shave ready razor and they offer a sharpening & repair service & they're really quite helpful.

I have several Dovos, only one came close to shave ready right out of the box, the rest I have had to set bevels and polish edges. If I were you I would figure on getting it honed.