Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 11
Like Tree9Likes

Thread: A frame of reference?

  1. #1
    Junior Member AbrahamSandwich's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Southern B.C.
    Posts
    10
    Thanked: 0

    Lightbulb A frame of reference?

    Hi everyone. I've got my new blade and it's seen some strop/stone action. It's improved a little, I just had my 2nd shave, it was better than the 1rst, but still not great. Can someone describe to me what a truly, truly sharp and shave ready blade feels like to use? I'm just looking to get a frame of reference for my experience so far. Cheers.
    Last edited by AbrahamSandwich; 09-12-2012 at 02:06 AM.
    ..

  2. #2
    The Razor Talker parkerskouson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Las Vegas
    Posts
    623
    Thanked: 75

    Default

    Well, a truly sharp razor, should feel like nothing almost. There should be no pulling, and glide very smoothly across your face.
    "When governments fear the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny." Thomas Jefferson

  3. #3
    Stropping Addict Scookum's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Ottawa
    Posts
    347
    Thanked: 39

    Default

    Sharp is smooth, smooth is sharp.

    If you have more than one blade send one to a honer guy and use it as a reference.

  4. #4
    Incidere in dimidium Cangooner's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Val des Monts, Quebec
    Posts
    4,065
    Thanked: 1439

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by AbrahamSandwich View Post
    Hi everyone. I've got my new blade and it's seen some strop/stone action. It's improved a little, I just had my 2nd shave, it was better than the 1rst, but still not great. Can someone describe to me what a truly, truly sharp and shave ready blade feels like to use? I'm just looking to get a frame of reference for my experience so far. Cheers.
    I'm not sure if one can put that into words. I think to know it, you really have to experience it.

    To me a shave-ready blade will feel smooth, it won't tug, it will remove hair with little resistance and very little pressure. It won't feel like you are fighting with the blade to get it to do its thing, and most importantly, it will just do its job really well with little hassle or irritation.

    To really know, I personally think it's well worth the cost of having your blade professionally honed. Even if you only send it out once before learning to hone yourself, it will at least give you a benchmark by which to judge other edges. It doesn't cost much, but you'll probably learn a lot from it.
    rolodave and Scookum like this.

    It was in original condition, faded red, well-worn, but nice.
    This was and still is my favorite combination; beautiful, original, and worn.
    -Neil Young

  5. #5
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Vancouver, BC, Canada
    Posts
    1,377
    Thanked: 275

    Default

    It's like asking:

    . . . What does really good sex feel like?

    The answer is:

    . . . It's hard to describe, but you'll know it when you have it.

    I worked quite hard honing my first (antique-store) razor, and finally got it sharp enough to shave with. Then I got a Dovo from Straight Razor Designs, and experienced _really sharp_.

    My own edge wasn't anywhere near as good.

    So I'd agree with everyone else -- get a blade that's been honed by somebody who knows what he's doing, and use it as a standard.

    Charles
    rolodave likes this.
    . . . . . Mindful shaving, for a better world.

  6. #6
    Plausibly implausible carlmaloschneider's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Mount Torrens, South Australia
    Posts
    5,979
    Thanked: 485

    Default

    It feels scary. It feels threatening. It feels exhilarating. It's hard to deny and not easy to please.
    Stranger, if you passing meet me and desire to speak to me, why should you not speak to me? And why should I not speak to you?
    Walt Whitman

  7. #7
    ace
    ace is offline
    Senior Member blabbermouth ace's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Virginia
    Posts
    3,362
    Thanked: 581

    Default

    If you can feel the blade doing its job, it's not as sharp as it should be.

  8. #8
      Lynn's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    St. Louis, Missouri, United States
    Posts
    8,454
    Thanked: 4941
    Blog Entries
    2

    Default

    Improving your shaving technique goes a long way in determining what a sharp razor feels like.

    Have fun.
    Jimbo likes this.

  9. #9
    Bevelsetter
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    New England
    Posts
    625
    Thanked: 109

    Default

    My first really sharp razor had no feeling at all. It was wiping lather from my face and the whiskers were rolling up and darkening the foam without any sense there was a blade cutting. The memory sticks with me and every shave gets compared to that experience. One element was the technique I had developed but when I used a different razor the differences were astonishing.

    Own at least one blade which someone has prepared truly shave ready.
    rolodave likes this.
    YMMV
    It just keeps getting better

  10. #10
    Junior Member shadez's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Posts
    11
    Thanked: 1

    Default A frame of reference?

    My big indicator is no pulling like mentioned above. If the blade isn't shave ready it will grab and rip hairs vs cut them clean.

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •