Thread: Out of the box readiness

I recently purchased a Dovo straight razor carbon with ebony wood handle. While doing my research on a razor to purchase, I read some posts that indicated this razor is ready to go out of the box, some that said this razor needs to be stropped prior to use and some that indicated it needed to be honed then stropped prior to use. I'm looking for the definitive answer on this, or, should I go ahead and hone and strop it prior to use to be sure it has the appropriate edge?

you would be better served by sending it to a pro so you can have a better chance at learning this activity, they really aren't a very good edge straight form the factory , that is why those who pay attention here know to buy from a reputable vendor who sells them honed. but you can still send it out, until you learn to shave honing is another mountain to climb without even knowing what shave ready is.. give it a good stopping and try ,, but then again your stropping skills aren't there yet if you just started. get it honed and have a god starting point TC

From where did you buy it?

A few new Dovo's have crossed my bench.
They were definitely not shave ready out of the box - needed touch-up honing and stropping.
Some of the better vendors offer the option of honing - or you can sent it to the many experienced craftsman available thru this site.

You should always shave with it and access if it meets your expectations. If it does not then you send it out.