Thread: Shave Ready

If you enjoyed the shave and felt that the edge is there strop before the next shave, actually most strop after the shave to ensure the edge is clean and dry. Then give it a good stropping again before the next shave.

Originally Posted by RezDog

If you enjoyed the shave and felt that the edge is there strop before the next shave, actually most strop after the shave to ensure the edge is clean and dry. Then give it a good stropping again before the next shave.

My current method is 20 on linen or Kanayama cotton and 40 or so on leather for the preshave and then just 20 on linen or cotton on the post to dry the blades edge and so far it’s been working out nicely

I received a "shave-ready" Dovo Bismarck as a gift several weeks ago. It was purchased from TSS and the edge is excellent.

The seal on the box was unbroken, so I'll have to conclude that the edge I shaved with is what came from the factory, and it truly was shave- ready.

Very sharp, and a very smooth shave. A real pleasure.

Originally Posted by FWiedner

I received a "shave-ready" Dovo Bismarck as a gift several weeks ago. It was purchased from TSS and the edge is excellent.

The seal on the box was unbroken, so I'll have to conclude that the edge I shaved with is what came from the factory, and it truly was shave- ready.

Very sharp, and a very smooth shave. A real pleasure.

You could always contact Jarrod from TSS and ask him if he touches up edges before they leave his shop or if you know what to look for under a loupe you can look for that scratchy coticule edge as Jarrod uses coticules solely, he used to offer a service where one could send him a razor of good quality and he would put a coticule edge on it free of charge which included free return shipping it was his way to let the user know what a coticule was capable of and he could sell you a coticule but I don’t believe he does this service anymore.

Whether Dovo blades are "shave ready" from the factory is a matter of debate. I read somewhere that Dovo will not honor the warranty on their razors if they have been honed after they leave the factory.

Jarod of TSS posted a video in which he removed several Dovo blades from their factory sealed cartons, stropped them and then performed an arm hair test. He concluded that they were "shave ready". However, others have stated that they are not truly shave ready. I purchased a Dovo Bismark and did not find it to be "shave ready" using my criteria. However, I did not have any difficulty honing it to a nice edge. I believe Dovo uses Coticules for honing. If you like Coticule edges, you may find the Dovo factory blades "shave ready". Personally, I do not find Coticule honed edges to be keen enough for my beard without further refinement on another hone or pasted strop.

As long as your honing technique is good, there is no reason to avoid stropping a blade. Sometimes absolute beginners are advised to shave with a newly honed razor without stropping. Improper stropping technique can damage a blade, but once you develop a decent stropping stroke, the chances of damage are pretty small.

I’m glad you were happy with the sharpness According to the description the razor in opened box comes sharper then the unopened since it’s honed after factory sharpening

Just watch the Dovo Vid

It is quite clear to anyone that hones SR's as to why this is even a discussion ~

It is also quite clear after watching their vid (and most any other TI Wacker or Revisor vid) why we say

"I have never met a Factory edge that could not be improved on with the judicious use of Hones and Skill"

I have not yet opened a Dovo that I was unable to shave with. I have several.

Some of the edges needed improvement for my personal comfort, but each and every one 'worked'.

Originally Posted by FWiedner

I have not yet opened a Dovo that I was unable to shave with. I have several.

Some of the edges needed improvement for my personal comfort, but each and every one 'worked'.

Sounds like that is the difference between being shave able and shave ready. Close but no cigars.

Bob

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Just watch the Dovo Vid

It is quite clear to anyone that hones SR's as to why this is even a discussion ~

It is also quite clear after watching their vid (and most any other TI Wacker or Revisor vid) why we say

"I have never met a Factory edge that could not be improved on with the judicious use of Hones and Skill"

Aloha!

My thoughts exactly. I have never received a razor from the factory that could not be improved. Of course, I have not yet ordered from any of the honemeisters here. I'm sure their blades are done to perfection, as would be expected. When I order from Amazon or a supplier of "factory" blades, that their so-called "shave-ready edge" leaves a lot to be desired. At least that's my experience.

Mahalo!

-Zip