Does it make a difference???

Hi all

I've just purchased a new Thiers Issard razor as my second straight (I already have a Dovo) and I was reading through some of the information that come in the box, the razor comes shave ready (I know shave ready is down to the individuals take on what shave ready actually is, but anyway thats a different discussion) and the leaflet says not to strop the new razor until after many shaves, I think I can guess why it may say this but can anyone shed some further light on this suggestion as to exactly why it may say this? Secondly it says that putting at rest your razor every other day allows it to get its sharpness back. Exactly how accurate is this, im a bit sceptical as once stropped and put at rest how can my razor get any sharper? What ever the outcome/answers to my questions I really really like my new TI Razor and I cant wait to have my first shave with it tomorrow.

Thanks in advance to all of you

I had a newer ThiersIssard razor a couple of years ago. It was nowhere near shave ready. As a matter of fact, the factory edge needed to be repaired by a professional honer. I can't say why TI says the razor shouldn't be stropped for many shaves. I definitely don't agree with that statement.

Do a search here at SRP about resting the edge. There are several threads about the subject. Here's a link to one:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...azor-rest.html

There are Vids out there from Dovo, TI, Revisor, and Wacker

They actually show what these companies do for Factory Honing, there is not ONE person that hones seriously that considers that a viable system to attain shave ready

Every now and then the razor Gods smile and a razor has a full shaving bevel... Cue: The person that gets one and now jumps in saying so

As to the stropping, I don't know what to tell you, I have read them and smiled thinking to myself "Yeah right,, and you also said the razor was shave ready" :p

i have no idea what they are talking about with the stropping. Just strop as you usually do.

Thanks guys, ill check out those threads and take a look at those videos, I think I will be stropping as usual, Ill also give it a test shave and if I'm unhappy ill send it off for honing, ill have a pretty good comparison as ive just had my Dovo honed by a member on here.

Thank you again for your knowledge.

Guessing they are thinking about someone who has never stropped before. As you know, an improper stropping will damager the edge and cause for a bad shave. And they dont want you calling them to blame the razor they sold you. This is just a guess. As far as resting??? Im going to have to real that thread myself. Good luck on the edge. I hear most the time they need sent out for a real honing. Just what i hear. I dont own one.

This my only experience with a new TI razor. When I got the razor I thought I would try the factory edge after I stropped it to see how good it was. For some reason I decided to take a look at the edge with my loupe first and quickly decided to hone it from the bevel set up. I did not even want to put it to the strop. If I get another new TI, they shave well with a good edge on them, it may be a completely different story. I would at least visually inspect the edge with a loupe before doing anything and go from there.

Bob

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MRutter8671

Hi all

I've just purchased a new Thiers Issard razor
.... I was reading through some of the information that come in the box,
... and the leaflet says not to strop the new razor until after many shaves,
....

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The Thiers Issard razors are darn fine razors....
Depending on the razor and the date it left the factory it might be dull as a butter knife
or it could be a wonderful shaver. Lots of makers used to ship badly honed razors and
as a result a cottage industry of honemasters began (after barbers bowed out... ).
Many makers now do a much better job.

Advice... lather up and shave test.

There is common knowledge that a beginner (novice) will damage a
good edge through inexperience at stropping.
I cannot tell if the seller honed the razor or if it is the factory in France
but it does not matter... the truth is in a shave test.

Stropping... slow and smooth.
You are only shaving once a day and stropping a single razor. Speed is not needed.
Pressure is not needed.

Stropping is necessary to keep a shaver shaving.

As member of the CCC french forum, I read a lot about new Dovo and new TI. It seems that the shavereadiness of TI has well improved these late two or three years. Some just need to be stropped, other stropped with green Dovo pasta but not a lot. No honing.
For the rest time,just imagine a barber with 16 patrons a day. He needs 32 SR !

The one recent experience I have had with a brand spanking new current production TI tells me they still do leave the factory with an iffy edge some of the time. Even when I honed mine with a single layer of tape the bevel was wide which would also indicate to me the blade geometry was not quite what it should have been. Regardless of all that once honed it is a fine shaver. I'd still recommend doing a visual inspection before deciding on a shave test.

Bob

I agree with most of the comments here. With new production razors, just carry on as usual if you know what you're doing. I would guess the suggestion to not strop would be so that a newer person to stropping wouldn't botch that razor sharp factory edge it came with :rofl2:

I've personally never gotten a "shave ready" razor that wasn't hand honed. So I just assume they all need to be honed when they come to me. One man's opinion...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Butzy

I agree with most of the comments here. With new production razors, just carry on as usual if you know what you're doing. I would guess the suggestion to not strop would be so that a newer person to stropping wouldn't botch that razor sharp factory edge it came with :rofl2:

I've personally never have gotten a "shave ready" razor that wasn't hand honed. So I just assume they all need to be honed when they come to me. One man's opinion...

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The only time I know of an insert to shave first and do not strop is on a hand honed
razor by the seller not the maker.
Yes give it a hard look...
Enjoy it... their steel is quite good no matter what the model.
There are differences in steel, grind etc between the sub $150 razor and
the top of the line all shave well.

I fell the statement to let a blade rest has to ddo with sales. if you must rest it then you need 2 razors Tc but I call Bs on that need to rest, and that's easy to prove when I shave its just as good 24 hours later or if I do it again at 12 hours

Only you can test as you are in possession of it.

I would nothing and do the first pass with the TI and if needed back it up with the Dovo for a second.

If that passes try a second day without stropping....

I do no feel that no stropping or resting is productive but that is my opinion and none of us can test it like you can.

Let us hear your results!

TI's intent with the instructions leaflet is mysterious to me. I will say that while a good, well-honed razor can continue to shave for a while without stropping, it certainly isn't ideal. We're all chasing the ultimate shaving experience, so of course the consensus is to make sure it is honed and then to strop it before (and a few laps after) every shave. That is what produces the best results for us. All that said, if you shave with it and are happy with the results, you're already winning in my book!