Let ' s try this one more time . Do . Not . Buy . A . Starter . Kit . From . A . Store . Not from WalMart , not from Art of Shaving , and not from your unnamed local vendor who sells Dovo razors . A new straight razor fresh from the factory is not shaveready . This is especially true of Dovo razors . They need considerable work by an expert honemeister before they are suitable for use . Your local shop will probably tell you the razors they sell are good to go . Most vendors say this . But the vast majority of them are either mistaken or lying . Just like the local knife shop that tells you they can sharpen your razor if by sharpen they mean ruin , then they ' re right otherwise , not so much . There are a few exceptions to these general statements , but they are just that few , and exceptions . Maybe the shop you ' re talking about is one of those exceptions . Probably not . But do not under any circumstances buy a straight razor without first vetting the vendor with disinterested third parties who know what they ' re talking about . If you ' ll tell us where you live , someone may know a honemeister in your area who can help you out with a new razor or the one you already have . Which brings us back to your original question It is probably a better idea to have your razor honed than to buy a new one . New razors are , with limited exception the Dovo Bismarck is not one of them , inferior to vintage razors .