Thread: Pre-Sharpened New Razors

Hi Guys,

For a while we have seen confusion when a new person purchases a razor that is advertised as pre-sharpened and then have problems with the razor. For informational purposes, if you are looking to purchase a new straight razor, ask the vendor if it has actually been honed. Both Dovo and TI do final grinding on a plate or wheel, but it is a rare occasion when one is actually shave ready out of the box.

There are some vendors who only sell honed vendors.

When in doubt, Ask! When not in doubt, Ask!

Have fun,

Lynn

What about the claims that the new TI's are shave ready from the factory? I've doubted that but I'm not in a position to find out yet. Anyone know if this is true?

Originally Posted by Cove5440

What about the claims that the new TI's are shave ready from the factory? I've doubted that but I'm not in a position to find out yet. Anyone know if this is true?

Check Lynn's post above...he is in a position to know.

Originally Posted by Lynn

Both Dovo and TI do final grinding on a plate or wheel, but it is a rare occasion when one is actually shave ready out of the box.

So Dovo and TI no longer hone on a coticule, and strop on leather like they claim (and the documentary videos showed)?

Ive seen Dovos strop and shave right out of the box, and Ive seen Dovos that wouldnt cut butter!

The bottom line is if you buy a new Dovo or TI and it is TRULY shave ready out of the box from the factory you are very lucky. Some will come in a state approaching shave ready but most here wouldn't like to use it that way.

Just be sure to ask the seller "who has honed this razor?" If they say "at the factory" then it will, most likely, need to be honed by someone from here.

Just my $.02,

I've seen the documentary in question and I have to ask myself... where's the personal touch? Sure after honing 10,000 razors in a factory you might be good at getting them there or almost there consistently, but if you've honed 10,000 razors by hand (like Lynn) and adapt your style/technique/strategy based on each individual razor, and shave test each one, I would think that this would achieve a better all round edge, all the time.

Oh no doubt that the edge quality that honing experts like Lynn produce far exceed that of a factory edge. But that's not what I asked. I was wondering if the edge is still being honed at all at the factory, or simply being sharpened like any other factory-made knife. If I'm understanding you all correctly, the answer to that question is that the razors are indeed honed, but not good enough to simply be stropped and shaved with. It shouldn't be a surprise, I suppose, but it is sort of disappointing, considering the factory claims of shave-readiness.

I am glad there are a bunch of skilled folks who offer honing services. Regardless of how sharp new razors are when they leave the factory, it's comforting to know that one can send them out for a proper honing when needed. It seems to me that $20 or so for that service is a true bargain!

Cheers,
jeff

Originally Posted by JeffR

I was wondering if the edge is still being honed at all at the factory, or simply being sharpened like any other factory-made knife.

Bingo !!!!

Now you have it right there....