Thread: What about a honing contest?

Originally Posted by jockeys

I am willing to enter the contest, but I would suggest that the losers (not top 3) would get some feedback on why their razors didnt' win, what didn't feel right, and what needs work. .

That indeed was the idea. Every participant receives a detailed performance sheet. You'll be able to see how each particular jury member evaluated your blade and you'll be able to see where you're edge is situated in the pack. Only the top 3 will be made public, but all other people that entered the contest will know how their razor performed in the hands of the jury.

IF the game goes ahead (we're still 10 participants short), the jury still needs to be formed (all I know right now is gssixgun is in it) and then they need to agree on a unified method for assessing the razors. For the sake of getting some conversation going I'd like to share my method for the assessment of razors, that I use for my double blinded experiments. A lot of thought went into it, and I think it's a good starting point for a discussion:

For razor assessment, I make use of a standardized performance sheet. (those who read my threads have already seen it, but I've attached an example).
The sheet speaks for itself: the razor is rated at four different performance levels. I'm sure many of you will object against the included HHT-test. It's probably best to leave that one out for the contest.
When testing razors, I change as few variables as possible. This means: always washing face with the same soap prior to an assessment shave. Same lather. Same brush. Same strop. Same amount of laps for each razor. Same post-shave routine.
I always test two razors at once, one for the left side of my face and one for the right side. I do only two passes, one WTG and one ATG. No touch ups, hence the "shaving closeness" score reflects the result of the same shaving routine.

Looking forward to all suggestions for improving this routine,

Bart.

Originally Posted by Bart

(we're still 10 participants short)

Is it underway already? What's the fee?

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

Is it underway already? What's the fee?

I was only referring to the status of the new poll.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/advan...st-survey.html

As soon as it hits 20, we 'll start accepting subscriptions. About the fee, I'm not sure yet.
A Double Arrow costs about $10 a piece + shipment for the whole pack to my place.
I'm currently working out a way to replace the flimsy plastic scales with something simple, yet cool, in trespa. It'll be my treat to the guys joining the game.
Then everyone needs to receive his "competition razor" in the mail, which will probably add another $10.
After the participants hone the razor, they need to send it back to the jury headquarters, which is not included in the fee.
We need to send them back afterwards, so let's add another $10.
The jury needs to swap their group of razors three times, which will also add a little something (Glen and I agreed that the jury should be CONUS, to keep those costs down).
For the price pot we're gonna rely on the generosity of a few sponsors.

I estimate the entrance fee will be approximately $35, competition razor included.
This is only a quick estimate.

Bart.

the reason i would enter the contest would be to see what someone else that is good at honing thought of a razor that i honed, he could point out things i could be doing wrong to me so i think it would be valuable critique of my skills, i really dont care about winning or losing just the valued opinion of someone that knows way more than i do about honing, a sort of learning tool instead of a contest to me, but i wouldnt turn down a livi razor as a prize either lol

Originally Posted by jwoods

the reason i would enter the contest would be to see what someone else that is good at honing thought of a razor that i honed, he could point out things i could be doing wrong to me so i think it would be valuable critique of my skills, i really dont care about winning or losing just the valued opinion of someone that knows way more than i do about honing, a sort of learning tool instead of a contest to me, but i wouldnt turn down a livi razor as a prize either lol

Yup, that's exactly why I'm planning on entering. LoL, I have yet to even produce a truly shave worthy blade!

I did think about this post and finally decided to let it go.This is my opinion and i know some of you won't like and may be hate me.
This is what i think.
at first idea to have this honing competition is excellent but there is couple things needs to be fix before we can say it is fair competition.
i am 1 of the person who said yes and after thinking i decided not to participate in it.
1 st i think i will be the winner.
2 nd this honing will be fair competition if all people who is in it would have
1 st same blade
2 nd equal amount of time
3 rd same type hones include everything which people will use to make razor ready(strop,chro2,hones etc.
Now some of the people have the best hone belgian others has escher another one God knows.
how it will be fair game if i use my CHARNLEY FOREST stone and put final edge to blade?that wouldn't me my skill i think.
I would be glad to be in this competition but because of the above reason's i am Sorry guys.
In case if any of you want to challenge me i am ready just to show how much differences will make having right tools.This is my 2 cent
or if you want to challenge each other just do it buy using 2 different hones escher -thuringiaan,or belgian and see how much it will be different from 1 to another,of i am not including chromiumo2 etc.
good luck

hi bud gl,

Isn't the point of the competition to find the absolute best? If so, what tools that are used for the job wouldn't matter. Results are results, right? Maybe there could be another award for best edge relative to the tools used? One test for the edge, one test for the person honing? Or maybe just include the data for the methods/tools of each entry with the results. That might give everybody more insight into the competition.

I agree with that. A large part of getting the best edge is going to include "tricks of the trade" and personal "secrets". Things like variations on pyramids, your sooper secret pasted newspaper, etc. Not restricted to just a test of physical ability. I think if you limited the tools you would have the reverse problem. Surely people have refined their technique and routine to the tools they have at hand.

I'm sure this would be a recurring phenomenon as skills improve over time, especially with input from a panel of judges who know what they're talking about. How often would it take place?

[QUOTE=crazycliff200843;282810]

Isn't the point of the competition to find the absolute best? If so, what tools that are used for the job wouldn't matter. Results are results, right?

sorry it does matter.
just try this.
take 2 same blades and only use 1 st one belgian hone and on second one use norton 4/8k
end check the result you will see it does matter.
Same person does exact skiils and spend same time but results are different ??