Newbie awaiting first razor.

**Moog101** · 03-30-2008, 02:23 AM

Hi Everyone

Im Martin from the UK and after a good few days reading everything I can get my hands on regarding Straight Razors I finally took the plunge and ordered one along with all the bits and pieces i'll probably need.

I've ordered a brand new DIVO Bismarck razor. I think i've got RAD before i've even bought my first one :)

One question that I have though, I've read a lot about blades not being "Shave Ready" out of the box and even the brand new ones will need a bit of work.

With a brand new DIVO do you think that this would just require using the stop or possible also honing too?

Thanks all...

Martin

**Monkeyboy** · 03-30-2008, 03:54 AM

My new Dovo was certainly not shave ready after just stropping - not even close. I honed it lightly on a norton stone - still wasn't quite there. I then picked up a two sided paddle strop and hit it with 1.0 and 0.5 micron diamond pastes. That did the trick for me.

I would recommend, as many here do, having a skilled honemeister get it shave ready for you before your first shave attempt. Shaving alone with one of these will likely take you some time to master - worry about learning to hone and assess edge sharpness later on.

**Moog101** · 03-30-2008, 05:16 AM

Hi Monkeyboy

Thanks for that. It was sort of what I was expecting. I just wasn't quite sure exactly how much work would be required on a brand new straight razor.

Anyone know any good honemeisters in the London area?

M

**crichton** · 03-31-2008, 06:57 AM

Welcome to B&B.....sorry I can't help you with a contact in your area.....best of luck to you and happy shaving!

**letterk** · 03-31-2008, 09:18 AM

Send it to a honemeister just to make sure. I had no clue what shave ready was when I got my first straight. Even those that aren't shave ready, still feel sharp.

**Schaefo** · 03-31-2008, 10:15 AM

Welcome to the B&B community Martin. Glad to have you with us!

**shavEddie** · 03-31-2008, 08:31 PM

Welcome to B&B!

**SilkySmooth** · 03-31-2008, 09:05 PM

Welcome aboard!

==Tom

**crankymoose** · 03-31-2008, 11:07 PM

Welcome to B&B

your new DOVO will almost certainly require some honing, how much no one can tell you for sure, being new don't do it yourself especially on a new razor send it out to a honemeister plus this will do accomplish 2 things one as a new person to straight shaving you will have enough to worry about blade angle stropping etc at least you will know for a while your razor will be sharp, 2nd it will give you a benchmark so you will know what a properly honed razor feels like in case you do decide to hone your own later.

when you do attempt to hone your own for first one pick up an old used one either here on the b/s/t forums or elsewhere but a cheap one so if you do ruin it you won't be out much

good luck and enjoy
btw I got 2 bismarcks they are nice razors