Thread: What about a honing contest?

Okay, I'm still new to it all so put down I support it but wouldn't feel free judging since I've only shaved with two razors thus far.

I do think it would be a very difficult test to do and would take in my estimation a couple of months depending on number of contestants and number of testers. best idea I've got on it is this

number of 7 day sets equal to number of testers to be used. (and of course if more than 7 participants in honing more 7 day sets).

each honemeister hones one day of each set. for this argument lets say 7 hone guys and 4 testers. each honemeister would end up honing 4 razors out of a matched set, i.e. honemesiter 1 hones mondays. afterwards the person "in charge" get all razors together and sends out all 4 7 day sets, each to a different tester (one with lots of experience and whos shaved with many razors of course).

after a week results are sent back to "in charge" guy. the tester's would each know at the end of the week which shave they thought was best.

I don't think that having them hone with the same equipment is the important thing, after all the specific tools you use goes to your style/technique. I think the control element is the steel, blade shape, size etc. adn then of course the person shaving and their hair growth etc. (that's why I'd stipulate something like first shave must happen 24 hours after their last straight razor shave and must have 24 hours between each days shave) something like that.

oh, and stipulate that the razors be stropped on the same strop same number of strokes.

Red

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 way not only do I have fun, but I learn something, too!

Won't be as much fun if I enter and all I get back is, "nope, you didn't win" because that really doesn't help me improve, either.

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.