I visited a local mens shop here in Baltimore that sells Trumpers items along with a few Dovo razors. They don't stock strops (yet<g>) nor know anything about the razors they sell. While there a previous staright razor customer of their walked in and told me about the worst shave of his life with a dull razor he bought there.
It made me think.........how many newbies buy razors from the local knife shop, internets knife stores etc... only to find they are not shave ready when they arrive.

There must be dozens of places to buy razors now, knife stores, Nordstroms, fancy shave emporiums, etc..... but very few other than Shaving Shop, Classic Shaving and myself offer to sharpen them. Most of those other retailers don't even sell tools to get them sharp if the buyer needed or even knew he needed them. I wonder if these retailers even give it a second thought.

I know I agonize over every one I sell, wondering if it will be sharp enough for the buyer or will I leave him disapointed. I know Lynn takes the same care and pains as well with those he sharpens for Classic.

I am sure there are plenty of newbies out there that give it one try and never turn to it again.

Tony