Thread: Is this razor shave ready?

I have a question. I just got a brand new Dovo from straightrazorplace.com. I understand that these come shave ready and pre-tested. Here is the problem. right out of the box it's performance on the hanging hair test is not as good as on the Lord disposable blades that i used for the disposable stra8 razor that I've been using. I stropped it after the first shave and it passes the HHT, but again, not as well. The Lord blades will slice the hair almost before it touches the blade. The dovo will require a few passes and will eventually catch the hair and then cut.
So my question is; does this blade need to be re-honed, or is it supposed to be this way?

I doubt that a straight razor will ever be quite as sharp as a disposable...they have different angles of attack. That said, Lynn tests every razor when he's done honing...so I doubt seriously that he flubbed up. How does the blade shave? That's the real test for a straight.

Sorry if I missed it , but have you shaved with the razor yet?
Also did you strop before shaving right out of the box?

HHT is not a barometer of shave ready IME. Some of my razors will pass HHT and some won't but even those that don't will generally shave well. Technique is as important as keenness and than there is preparation. IOW, the whole is the sum of it's parts and there is more to a good shave than whether the razor will pass HHT or not.

Salazch,
As I recall you are fairly new to straights... you will find (as many of us do) that your razor will seem sharper and sharper with each shave as you learn the specifics of the razor and its technique. A disposable is not quite the same as a true straight in its sharpening nor its handling...

...trust in the shave-readiness of your razor for now, and manipulate your angle of attack and other technique points until it functions properly.

Good luck!

If it was honed by Lynn, then it is shave ready. You can bet your beard on that.

+1 to JimmyHAD and BKratchmer. Technique is of great importance and you will notice your razor shaving better and better as you get used to it. This is all part of the fun!

Hello, Salazch,

I think you're relying on HHT just a tad too much. Jimmy's point is excellent on this idea of HHT. Also, the Lord disposable and a straight razor are two different worlds.

If Lynn honed your razor, and if you strop properly, then your razor is shave ready. Forget the Lord comparison and concentrate more on straight razor technique.

Most of all, sharpen your focus and be patient. You will get there. Good luck and enjoy.

Regards,

Obie

The angle may be wrong and causing the irritation. Here is one thing though.
One thing that I was looking for is the classic 'buttering toast' sound that jocky's talks about, and the only way that I can duplicate the sound and the look of the razor angle from the videos is with what appears more like a 40 - 45 degree angle. Anything less that that doesn't sound right, and and doesn't seem to take the hair off quite as well. Am I goofing something up?

My dear Salazch,

The "buttering toast" sound on your face may have a different tone than that on Jocky's. (By the way, his video is excellent.) Duplicating his sound, therefore, may be unrealistic. Concentrate on the sound on your face.

As for the razor angle, the general rule for the razor is 30 degrees. General rule, I said. There, too, you may have to vary your angle (you do in different parts of the face, anyway).

You can't force technique. Your personal technique and style will develop through practice and experiment. It will develop naturally, I might add. Keep trying different moves and angles. Also concentrate on stretching. Vary its angle according to need. Keep at it. Focus, experiment and have patience. You're on your way.

Regards,

Obie

I doubt that a straight razor will ever be quite as sharp as a disposable..

I'm not sure I agree with this statement. I'm of the mindset you can get a straight well certain straights ridiculously sharp as sharp as a Feather I have found. Not all blades will do this type of sharpness depends on blade, but niethe determines smoothness and comfort for shaving well.

I honed a Engstrom frameback that took a wickedly sharp laser edge, shaved god awful but was scary sharp. Again, sharpness doesnt mean smoothness for shaving, but I think a straight can get just as sharp as a disposable.

Cheers
David