I got my first razor about two months ago from a guy who said it would be shipped 'shave ready'. Talking to someone here today I realised for a beginner how important that really was. Thought I'd just post the email I just sent him just to share how important I think a truly shave ready blade really was for a beginner like me...

Hi,
You wouldn't’t remember, but about two months ago I purchased a Burrell Top Flight razor from you from eBay. Since receiving it, I’ve shaved with it EVERY day. I remember you telling me that it would be shipped ‘shave ready’. I was talking to someone today on the Straight Razor Place forum about new Vs Vintage shavers that had been honed by someone that knew how. I said really, I could not imagine how hard it would have been to learn if the razor had NOT been shave ready, and I had to work out for myself exactly what that meant. I mentioned on the forum how you did me a real favour ensuring the blade really was shave ready, I said I’d email you and thank you. So here it is, thanks so much for taking the time to help out a newbie and get me started; ensuring the blade really was shave ready helped me more than I understood at first!