Thread: Sharpness is addictive!

When I started str8 razor shaving no one could/would help me, I did not know where to turn in the 80's, my hairdresser who used to be a barber before WW 2 told me I was nuts wanting to take up str8 shaving.

My first hone was a surgical black, due to its slowness and my poor technique I had bad shaves and I had given up till I read an article about SRP in a Dutch magazine. After absorbing all the information from many helpful members, many of them no more active here, I bought a Thuringen NOS and a kosher coticule. Both of them gave me a WOWZA experience. Then I was lucky and got my Escher which again improved my edges.

Last but not least in the queue is my Nakayama which, again, gives me better edges than ever before.

And now I find myself thinking of buying an even finer hone to see whether that will further improve my edges.

Am I the only one searching for the holy grail of honing? Am I becoming a sharpness addict? Do I need help?

If you want to reach sharpness nirvana, you might want to try a shapton 30K glass plate. If I remember correctly, some here have described them as giving feather sharp edges.

Personally, I am very happy with my 8x3 coticule and the edge it gives me after the norton 4000/8000.

I suspect that also has to do with the fact that I like wide stones, and while a 3" wide coticule is affordable, I would break the bank trying to buy a 3" wide escher (I don't even think they exist).
3" wide Japanese high grit stones cost a fortune, so for now I am content with my coticule edges.

If and when I am able to hone every razor to the max potential of the coticule, every time, then I might invest in a finer stone.
Until then I have more important needs, like a good belt sander, a drill press and a vise.

Originally Posted by Bruno

I suspect that also has to do with the fact that I like wide stones, and while a 3" wide coticule is affordable, I would break the bank trying to buy a 3" wide escher (I don't even think they exist).

My Nakayama from So ( 2 1/8" x 8") was a bargian compared to any Escher (small or large) at the going rates. It is much finer than my Y/G. If, at gun point, I had to part with either my Escher or my Nakayama I would part with the Escher any time. Nakyamas can be expensive if you insist on one without veins, the veins in mine do not adversely affect honing results.

I know what you mean Kees. As I get better at honing and better at shaving, I keep wondering if what I thought was a good edge six months ago is still a good edge or have my expectations/abilities just changed? I keep searching for "better". I don't know where it ends.

Jordan

I am not qualified to provide any useful input on the Advanced Honing board since I am still an Ultra-noob learning the basics, but.....

One comment really struck a chord though:

I keep wondering if what I thought was a good edge six months ago is still a good edge or have my expectations/abilities just changed?

I have noticed in my short time experimenting and learning that my "standards" have in fact changed quite a bit.

I am VERY greatful to the folks here that take the time to post their findings. Without them, my results would be a crap-shoot at best and improvements would be nearly impossible!

Thanks!


v/r

Allen

I am in the same boat. Quite early in my straight shaving-honing career I picked up a razor from an antique shop and one of the first I ever honed. It melted the whiskers off even the hard to get ones on the chin. I have since been pursuing the technique of trying to get all the rest of my shavers the same sharpness and smoothness. It seems to be a fleeting pursuit. Several hones and the gambit of diamond pastes later I still can't get any of the 50 razors as sharp or smooth as the early one. Alas I keep trying and collecting. I think it is probably the journey rather than the destination that is the Holy Grail of straight razor shaving.

bj

The last thing I need to hear about is another hone. Ok I am ordering a Nakayama today.

Hi, I'm Nick and I'm an addict......................I have at least 15 hones that I can think of at the moment!

Try a spyderco ultra fine. The results as reported here and other sites are comparable to the traditional hones at a fractionof the price. the care and upkeep are minimal.

Oh yes, I can admit in front of the group, since I know you're all accepting that Hones are more alluring to me than razors! I just bought two Tam O' Shanters from Simon and to lap all my babies to within .5 micron flat.....a Shapton Diamond on Glass Lapping Plate (DGLP to those in the know).

Yup, hones/stones are awesome.

Chris L