Hi guys just joined the forum as I'm keen to start straight razor shaving answer this seems like a good start to my educational needs. I currently have a dovo 5/8" Full Ground, Carbon steel blade straight razor that was a gift for Christmas. I'm afraid to start using it as I don't know if it's shave ready or not.
I started out straight razor shaving a few months ago with just a dovo shavette. I figured I didn't want to spend much money on a razor firstly until I learned how to do it and if I even enjoyed it or not. I've been enjoying it very much and have been getting very good shaves with the disposal long blades for the shavette.
Now that I have a proper straight razor I read that them come from the factory already honed and that all of would need to do was strope it so I bought myself a dovo cowhide leather strop as a beginner strop. I have stopped he razor but I don't feel as if it is shave ready. I tested the blade gently on the hairs on my arm.
My question is should the razor be honed straight out of the box or should a stroke be sufficient for a while. I'm busting to have a shave with it but don't want it to be unpleasant