Thread: "Shave Ready" in the Classifieds

Yes, newbies probably complain the most about receiving a "shave ready" razor that isn't shave ready, and yes, it is probably most often a matter of technique and expectations, but how are they/we supposed to know which it is, when we as newbies read about some of the pros receiving "shave ready" razors that they claim are not shave ready. When we read this, it puts doubt in our minds about the edge of our razor.

It sounds to me like a solution to this problem might need to involve several steps. Perhaps the first could be something simple, such as adding a second field under the "Shave Ready?" field where it says "Shave Tested?" If someone checks both shave ready and shave tested, as a newbie, you can have some more confidence buying that particular razor. Someone else has shaved with the razor you are using, and after that shave, they still checked "shave ready," so it really must be shave ready. If it just says "Shave Ready: Yes," and the seller hasn't actually shaved with the razor, while it may be perfectly honed and perfectly sharp, there is some chance that something has gone awry with it and it just doesn't shave well. I suppose sellers could just be dishonest and check yes to shave tested even if they didn't, but that wouldn't be a whole lot different than saying it's shave ready using the current system, when it's not.

Another thing the "shave tested" field would accomplish, IMO, is to make sellers take a second and closer look at the sharpness of the razor. That is, it is likely, IMO, that many sellers, in order to stay competitive and make a fast sale, would want to check both shave ready and shave tested, and being the honest guys that they are, they would actually shave test the razors. Perhaps during these shave tests they may realize a problem that needs to be addressed.

For most sellers, even on the current system, when they check shave ready, they probably have already shaved with it, so this would be transparent to them. It seems that a big sticking point to the whole "shave ready" thing is that it varies from individual to individual, but I'm curious, is it generally accepted that if one person can actually complete a shave with the razor in question, that even though the edge might not be up to the next guy's standards, they too should at least be able to complete a reasonably comfortable shave with it? If so, maybe instead of having a "Shave Ready?" field, it could just be changed to "Shave Tested?" Because, as a newbie, that's really what you want. Some confidence that someone else has used the razor you are using, and that they had no problem shaving with it. If they could do it, it must be you, not the razor. And if there are some people who hone razors who have been doing it long enough to know when the razor is shave ready, without test shaving, then they may feel free to say "No" to the shave tested field, but explain some further details in the description, such as "I didn't have time to actually shave with this razor, but I'm an accomplished honemeister for forum members, and the razor is definitely shave ready. If you aren't satisfied with the edge, please contact me and we can work it out." In a case such as this, it's likely that the honemeisters forum experience will speak for itself anyway.

Just some thoughts.