Thread: Base line sharpness

Hi all,

About 35 shaves in, and slowly getting a grasp of how much I don't know :-), especially how to get a consistently sharp and comfortable shave. Mine seem to be very ad hoc around how sharp the razor feels, and I sort of realise this could be anything from lather, glycerin level, technique, stropping, dulling the razor etc, etc..

So one question I have to try and rule out some of the variables, is could I use my Dovo Shavette as a baseline for how sharp my Straight's should/could be, with all others things consistent? Or is it simply just easier (more comfortable, smoother, far less pulling) to shave with the smaller lighter shavettes, which is what I'm finding?

thanks in advance..

Kevin

Depending somewhat upon the blade you are using in the Shavette, it is likely to be at least as sharp, if not sharper, than most straight razors even those that are well-honed. You could use that as a baseline for sharpness, especially if you are using a Feather blade. A well-honed straight razor should not be very far off that baseline however.

I wish my SR can be as sharp as my disposable Straight razor. I am practicing honing and coming along well. I might have to send out a blade and see how it really is supposed to be.

Originally Posted by ace

Depending somewhat upon the blade you are using in the Shavette, it is likely to be at least as sharp, if not sharper, than most straight razors even those that are well-honed. You could use that as a baseline for sharpness, especially if you are using a Feather blade. A well-honed straight razor should not be very far off that baseline however.

Thanks Ace - I'm using the Dovo longer single blade in the Shavette, which now with over a month of use, is certainly less sharp than when I bought it new. Despite this, it is much easier and more comfortable in cutting, than my straights. I'll revisit my stropping technique and see if it improves the Straight.

cheers Kev

Remember that your DE blades are machine-made and can be made to exacting tolerances. I have a Shavette and a Feather SS, and in both cases the blades are clearly, although just incrementally, sharper than my straights. I've had straights honed by the best, although I now hone my own, and while the replaceable blade straights are sharper, the real straights are just a tad off that level and still produce fine shaves. I think your DE blades can function as a baseline for sharpness, but as a 'standard' of sharpness that may be too high.

Where did you get straight from?

Was it honed by a pro at some point?

Did it shave nice when you first got it?

A straight should not tug & outcome should be the same as a DE ie a close shave so can't see how one is actually sharper than the other.
Would suggest some of the previously mentioned points may be at play eg stropping or honing, angle, lather etc...

Originally Posted by Castel33

Where did you get straight from?
(K) Mensbiz on-line in OZ, but picked it up personally.

Was it honed by a pro at some point?
(K) Yes, one of the forum members, recently.

Did it shave nice when you first got it?

(K) Reasonably, but was pulling a bit, hence got it honed just before Xmas. The first few shaves after the honing were nice, but seems to have reverted back to pre honing sharpness. I'm checking my stropping technique to see if that's the culprit.

cheers, K

Stropping is often the culprit with those symptoms. If I honed it please send it back & will touch up F.O.C.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

A straight should not tug & outcome should be the same as a DE ie a close shave so can't see how one is actually sharper than the other.
Would suggest some of the previously mentioned points may be at play eg stropping or honing, angle, lather etc...

Thanks onimaru55,
I think I can rule out the prep, as I try both the St8 and the shavette, with the same shave and lathering (ie shave half an area (under nose, chin, cheek etc), put the St8 down, and continue with the Shavette - big difference).

Angle, I think is about the same in that I tend to start flattish on the spine and raise very slightly until I get the best cut, which is usually 1 or 2 spine widths. Of course for subsequent passes, I flatten even more.

The difference b/w the two shavers is really pronounced when doing the neck XTG from adams apple to chin. The Shavette glides up, cuts well and leaves a smooth skin finish and I feel very confident performing the pass, but with the St8, it feels like it's scraping the hairs off, is uncomfortable, leaves some redness immediately after and is not that smooth after the pass.

I'm checking my stropping technique to see if that's the culprit. Before each shave, I do approx 20 passes on the cotton side, and 40-50 on the leather side of a Dovo 2 inch hanging strop, holding the strop firm and flat but not too tight, doing the X pattern and only the weight of the blade up and back.

Cheers, K