Question Re: Boker Edelweiss from SRD

Hey folks. I was lucky enough to be the recipient of a Boker Edelweiss razor from Straight Razor Designs. It's my first new razor, as my other two are old antique shop finds.

Am I correct in saying that razors from SRD are honed and shave ready? The site says so, but I was looking at the razor and it didn't appear to have the same "size" of bevel that my other razors have. On the vintage razors, the bevel is clearly visible to the naked eye, but on this one, I don't see the same thing. I'm sure it's just the difference between a brand-new razor and a 80-100 year old one, but I just wanted to be sure. I already shaved today so I'll be waiting until Monday to give it a go.

I'm very excited overall.

Yes all of SRD razors are honed by Lynn and shave ready by any and all standards!!

Yes, all razors from SRD come honed by Lynn. Just wipe off the oil and you're good to go for your first shave with it.

Don't let the size of the bevel fool you, I felt the same way about the first professionally honed razor I got too. Now I've come to appreciate and seek out the smaller bevels. Somehow they seem to indicate a better edge style; one that didn't require excess pressure to achieve. That's not true of course, just my impression. Trust that the SRD razor is indeed sharp and shave ready, small bevel or otherwise.

Ok so I shaved with it tonight and it was spectacular. I know I only have 3 razors but this is head and shoulders above the rest. Smoothest shave I've ever had.

The scales are very heavy, which felt great when I was shaving, but gave me issues when I stropped a little afterwards. I felt a few strokes go "sharp," and it felt like the scale weight kept pulling the razor off kilter. I hope I didn't do anything to the edge...should I maybe give it a few extra linen laps before I use it again?

also, I noticed that once the scales (bone) got wet, some brownish discolorations appeared. Is that normal? I assume it might be because it's a natural, porous material. I rather like natural materials for that reason.

But otherwise I took care to dry it off really well when I was finished and I was extremely pleased with it!!

With any razor, especially those with heavy scales, it is important to strop with your wrist and elbows level or slightly higher than the strop. We have the tendency to drop the wrist/elbow a bit while stropping, which will do two things: the entire edge will not be stropped, and your strop will be nicked. Of course this effect will be moreso if the razor isn't well balanced. Just food for thought...

Well I did eventually even it all out after about 10-12 strokes. It was those first strokes that were all messed up. And then, like you said, I figured out to raise my arm and elbow up a bit to compensate and I then I was back in business. I was just concerned that it sounded like the spine lifted on a stroke or two in the beginning there.