Thread: Sharpness of Straight vs DE & SE

I hope mparker chimes in here as he read the Verhoven paper closer than I did. If my memory serves me right Professor Verhoven found that in terms of keenness as defined by edge thickness commercial blades and straights are virtually the same. The coatings put on commercial blades prevent them from grabbing the skin as much if at all. This suggest the possibility that greater pressure can be used which may account in some cases for perceived differences in keenness. I'm just speculating.

In general though I am of the opinion that you can get straights as keen as commercial blades. I've been of that opinion for a long time. Even the old Arthur Boon literature mentions that straights can be made sharper than a DE (if I recall correctly) using modern pastes and hones etc.

I also think that there will always be divergent opinions on this matter. Ce la vie.

Regards,
EL