Thread: Professionally honed razors

I am currently looking to buy a new DOVO Renaissance or Grenadille. Unfortunately, the 2 websites I usually purchase from (VBLLC and SRD) do not carry these particular razors. I have found them for sale on Royal Shave and Classic Shaving. I know Classic Shaving sends their razors to be honed by Hart or Tim Zowada's shop. Has anyone purchased a "professionally-honed" razor from either of these websites? What was your opinion of the condition of the edge? Thanks for any info you can give.

In addition, if anyone has either of these two razors and would like to comment on them....by all means

Visiting Royal Shave I see this:

All of our blades are expertly pre-sharpened in the Dovo factory, and their edges scrutinized for keenness before shipment.

At Classic Shaving I see this:

PROFESSIONALLY HONED razors are razors which have been honed at the factory and are then re-honed by razor experts here in the states. These razors are absolutely shave-ready straight from the box. This is the better choice for the straight razor novice.

Personally I would go with the Classic Shaving.

The Renaissance is terrific. It's my go to razor. It took some effort to get it honed correctly.

I would look again at SRD. I thought they carried that blade. But if not, and you really want a pro honed blade, I'd go with Classicshaving.com. You might call them also.

I'm going to be very controversial here, but if the blade was going out to Zowada. I wouldn't buy it. Please don't get me wrong, the honing would be terrific, but it might be a double bevel. That would be annoying when you need to update the blade.

If you buy either one and are unsatisfied, you can send it to me for corrections.

SRD has some good razors, like the Micarta I think it's called, that are identical in shave quality and look pretty darn cool too. An accurately honed blade is the most important aspect of any straight razor.

Tim Zowada actually claims he does not create a double bevel tho I'm sure a lot of people trying to emulate his process would.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/709701-post7.html
http://straightrazorpalace.com/600813-post16.html

Steve Dempster at www.theinvisibleedge.co.uk sells them shave ready.

A bergischer lowe is going to be my next purchase.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Tim Zowada actually claims he does not create a double bevel tho I'm sure a lot of people trying to emulate his process would.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/709701-post7.html
http://straightrazorpalace.com/600813-post16.html

Yea, I heard he has stopped doing that. I appreciate that. Although, I must also point out that a razor stropping normally is not a good indication that there isn't a double bevel.

And as soon as you say you hone with tape . . . well . . .

It's always nice to watch the evolution of honing knowledge.

I'm curious how the reference came up that he was honing for Classicshaving.com?

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

And as soon as you say you hone with tape . . . well . . .

I'm curious how the reference came up that he was honing for Classicshaving.com?

I hear ya, especially when there's like 3 layers of tape

No idea re the connection with Classicshaving

I'm not sure but I would be surprised if Tim Z honed Classic's regular output. Dovos, TI and such. My impression is that he trained the technicians who craft the Hart Steel razors and perhaps they hone those as well as the Hart steel ? I think Tim's contribution to the honing is only on his custom Damascus production but I could be wrong.

That was my impression too. Either way, he is good, and Classicshaving is a great producer of quality shaving products.

I see a reference in the OP to sending the razors out. Technically, that is one of the better, of very few, options out there for honing. And if they are just using tape for a pass or two, that probably wouldn't be all that big a deal.

I think Glen or Randy once said it only took like 8 additional passes to overcome a single tape layer.

I would easily recommend Classicshaving.com any day of the week.

I'm a little bias though. Personally I'd rather have a razor honed by myself.