Hey gang! Joe here from Vancouver, BC. Not my first trip around SRP, per se, but first day as a member. Last Christmas, my brother gifted me a straight and a strop set which turned out to be from one of the "do not buy" companies. I did my best and managed to strop it sharp enough to get through 1/3 of a shave but I lost interest in stropping 3 times per shave. My gf, seeing my eyes peruse SRD and other straight retailers, gifted me one for my birthday a couple days ago. She got me a Dovo, 6/8 Renaissance with Spanish Oak scales. Simple and absolutely perfect for my taste. I love her.

I'll jump right in with my first questions.

Are Dovo's honed and ready for the strop, right out of the package? If not, I've read that a lot of you recommend "enjoy the hobby before adopting the way of life" i.e. get it honed for me before i buy honing equipment so, would anyone be against sending it to Mr Abrams for it's first pass on a stone? What's the cost and turnaround?

Thanks so much for having me and I look forward to growing a new obsession with you all. Cheers! jP