I bought a Thiers Issard Le Grelot, Dovo Bismarck, both new that came allegedly shave ready so I sent them to Neil miller of the Strop Shop for honing and also bought a vintage CVH from Neil which he honed so they are all certainly sharp enough. I mapped my face when I started DE shaving so I know what direction my hair is growing in and I made sure I was stretching my skin as I do thet with my DE anyway. I just couldn't get a close enough finish. I'll be selling my straights and Big Daddy strop as it's just not working for me