Thread: New razor - need advice.

G'day folks,
I have just received a package containing a new Classic Dovo Razor from ClassicShaving. Basic and not shave ready but free of any manufacturing defects.
I also have:
4000/8000 Norton
Paddles with Dovo green paste and Dovo red and black bar and chrome oxide. Also a linen and leather strop. Also have DMT E (1200).
I am new to straight razors, however I am fascinated by all kind of blades and fairly experienced in sharpening knives that I collect.
I am aware of the advice given to novices to have their first razors delivered shave ready, however I am confident I can sharpen my own blades given enough time.
With the above described set up what would the more experienced amongst yourselves do to bring this blade up to scratch? Yes I used the search function and there is plenty on the subject but quite a lot to digest in one go. Any advice, especially from the esteemed honemeisters appreciated.

You guys are going to cost me a lot of money but I can't help myself. I know that after a month or so a few more razors will end up in my house and that I will constantly have to come up with excuses to convince my wife that I actually need this stuff.
Looking forward to your responses.

First forget anything you thought you knew about sharp edges, a razor makes the sharpest knife look like bar stock.

Second forget any sharpening techniques you have used in the past, razors are a breed apart.

Once you have watched the videos here on sharpening so you have the stroke right, I would go with the pyramid approach.

On a new razor usually a conservative pyramid using your Norton will get you really close to a good shaving edge. Any edge better than that you have to sneak up on using you Norton 8000 or the paddle. Any wire edge on a razor and your back to square one.


Good luck!

Man, that was quick. Thanks. The pyramid is the go I guess.

What you miight want to do is to first strop that razor on a plain leather hanging strop for 30-50 round trip laps and perform a test shave. This will give you a starting point of reference for future comparison.
Try the conservative pyramid for 2-3 times followed by a stropping and test shave after each honing session. This will tell you the rate of change occurring with your razor and how close you are.

Hope this helps,

Thanks folks. If you excuse me I'm off to hone.

Also have DMT E (1200).

Be sure to "break in" that hone before you use it on your razor. Take a chisel and lay it flat on the hone, and go nuts on it, back & forth with light pressure until the finish it is left with is no longer flat matte, but a bit shiny.

If you use it without breaking it in, the diamonds will be so aggressive as to take nicks out of your edge as you hone with it. After break-in, it removes the metal quickly and evenly.

+1 on the advice re the DMT1200. I tried mine out on an old blade without 'breaking in' just to see what it would do. It took BITES out of the edge. Even now after 500+ bevels cut on it it still cuts faster than anything I've used!