Without meaning to hijack this thread, I have a question I'd like to ask the collective.

I bought a Dovo from Taylor's of Old Bond Street when I was in the UK a few weeks ago (I actually got it from their unit in Selfridges), and I was told it was shave-ready by the girl there. I wasn't convinced so I found my way to their shop in Jermyn Street and they told me (without looking at it) that it would be shave-ready. Now, I understand that as a rookie my technique is going to play a large part in the sensation from the blade, but I was wondering what the view is regarding these razors REALLY being shave-ready straight out of the shop. Do I need to get it honed professionally before it feels better or am I best off carrying on learning to shave (and strop) and improving my technique before I send it away to be salvaged?