Thread: Test shaves done with "new" razors?

I can recall sending out my first razor for restore many, many years ago. The job was to be removing the blade and polishing the blade and scales. The blade was quite pitted and I didnt feel comfortable at the time trying to salvage it. I was going to hone the razor myself but the person said it was included in the restoration. Ok fine I was cool with that as if I didnt like it I could re hone it. You see a shave test is a subjective as any other.
Anyway upon corresponding that the razor was done the person commented that the blade was popping hairs off his cheek like nothing. I remember thinking hmmm he shaved with my razor?
I understand the original posters question perfectly and much like his has (it seems) my position on shave testing has since changed. If a custom maker or restorer chooses to shave test a razor, thats fine. Their experience with it means little to me, though I can see where it may mean something to them as far as feeling any issues the razor may potentially have. I kind of think it should be made known that the razors are going to be shave tested, it should be mentioned, not understood by all parties. While I dont care if they are shave tested either way, I feel it should be made known that it will happen. That way if a customer does have an issue with it they can let it be known.
I now do almost all of my own restorations, in fact I dont buy any razors I do not feel I can restore so really I do them all. I also do some restores and some honing for some local friends and a couple people I met on the net have sent me razors to restore and hone or just hone. I tell them what I would like to be told as well, that I like to shave test the razor to make sure it at least feels good to me. I also let it be known that post shave test the razor is sanitized, re-stropped and oiled and is returned shave ready and please dont strop before shaving.
To each his own I suppose but I certainly am not appalled by the initial inquiry in the thread & even if I was I probably would stick to my personal opinion and experience on the matter rather than question or judge the poster asking the question about theirs.
YMMV..

Any Honemeister worth his salt will test shave a blade,I just got three of my Palmeras back from being honed,they are all perfect
Did he sterilize them? do not really care.

I've bought a few brand new customs over the years and never given a second thought to whether the maker test shaved with it or not. It's not something I consider important. All the razors that I sell that are listed as shave ready have been test shaved.

I'd expect the maker to test it out,actually I require it.razors,knives,firearms etc.test it before shipping to me .just my opinion of course .cam.

Personally, I would be very angry if I got a factory-new straight razor that had been "shave tested!" I strongly feel that shave-testing is both unnecessary and unsanitary.

Originally Posted by JeffR

Personally, I would be very angry if I got a factory-new straight razor that had been "shave tested!" I strongly feel that shave-testing is both unnecessary and unsanitary.

Do you realize, all new tooth brushes are tested before being shipped,they use goats to test them

The only time I would test shave a razor I honed for someone is if I liked the look of the razor, but honestly if that steel is tempered correctly then you dont need to test shave a razor to see if it will shave well, if you are honing razors on a weekly basis for paying clients then you should have enough confidence and know how in your own ability to produce a shave ready razor.

Originally Posted by celticcrusader

The only time I would test shave a razor I honed for someone is if I liked the look of the razor, but honestly if that steel is tempered correctly then you dont need to test shave a razor to see if it will shave well, if you are honing razors on a weekly basis for paying clients then you should have enough confidence and know how in your own ability to produce a shave ready razor.

and there you have it.IF it was a rehone,IF it was already in use ie already proven to be quality .however a new made is unproven imo ,so yes I'd want it proven/tested.ymmv. CAM

A ‘hair’ off topic re ‘testing’...but..

A while back I acquired a Dream Gun for competitive trap shootin. An investment about like a down-payment on a castle. Damn thing didn’t shoot straight. I mean to tell ya a Whole Bunch of Professional shooters weighted in figuring that gun out. I could detail all the stuff we went through but yer eyes would glaze fer sure.

Bottom line was the Maker, arguably the most venerated and storied ’name’ in hi-grade guns didn’t ‘Test Shave’ [ pattern ] my gun prior to delivery. They said they did..but it didn’t shoot straight..period. About like a brand new or newly reconditioned razor pullin hairs. Main difference being shootin straight was about the money.

I’d have given anything if their test drive had uncovered the faults..on their time. The maker made it right, but, the gun received three [ 3 ] barrels, and two [2] sets of wood [stock-foreend] before I could shave hairs off my scores..ha

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Do you realize, all new tooth brushes are tested before being shipped,they use goats to test them

Well that explains it! Always wondered why my breath always smells like an old goat! :-D

Knowing what guys like Lynn, gssixgun & 10Pups look like, if some of their looks rubbed off on me from a razor they shave tested it might be worth reconsidering my opinion...