Keith,
Caesar's razor was actually sharpened by me before sending but without actually shaving with it I could nt be sure it was really ready. I gave him some instructions on using the pre-pasted paddle he bought and all is well now.
This is exactly why I always suggest a paddle strop for a beginner. If your razor is not ready when it arrives they will already have the tool they need to get it there. If a beginner goes the hanging strop route first he would already need to go out and buy more gear. I try to get them started with the minimun needed to have sucess and figure they can build from there.
Tony