Thread: My razor is too sharp???? I like a duller edge??

Originally Posted by mparker762

Are you sure you measured the width of the blade by measuring from the edge to the honing mark on the spine? The reason I ask is that I have never measured a vintage razor with an angle that low, not if I was careful to measure only at the honing marks - only if I measure the blade width from edge to back of spine did I get an angle that low. But it is the relationship between the honing marks that tells us what the honing angle is.

Yes this is exactly how I measured. The vintage razors I've used average around 14-16 degrees.

I've experimented with 12 degree edges but they didn't last through the shave. With hard enough steel, about 14 degrees is about right to acheive maximum sharpness. The steel hardness has a lot to do with how acute an angle the edge can take.

Originally Posted by LarryAndro

Can I vote this the greatest thread ever?

no, you cannot. no bribe is large enough.

This thread should come with a free tylenol attached

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

no, you cannot. no bribe is large enough.

This thread should come with a free tylenol attached

How about a higher mathamatics sub forum.

Hey Lynn,

I used a diamond paste from Classic Shaving that came in a syringe, oil based, on leather paddle,from about 3 years ago. I tried it again just 2 weeks ago on a W&B that I had shaving very smoothly. What a mistake! I have now had to use several different pastes to reduce the harshness.

From others I have heard that the different diamond pastes/sprays and media give different results. Probably so but I find that the tin ox,chrome ox,French ceruim ox & Linde A & B are doing an excellent job.

Here again we get into personal preferences. I do not like the feel of a stainless steel edge. None of them. So it just may be that diamond abrasives will be the same way? I do not have time to experiment with many abrasives anymore, got to many other irons in the fire!

But...this hijacking the thread...sorry

Originally Posted by Lynn

What type of diamond (spray?/paste? micron?) are you using Randy and what are you using it with? Leather? Cotton? Felt? I find significant differences in the types of diamond and media used where I could not say that they all produce harsh results.

Thanks,

Lynn

Originally Posted by randydance062449

Hey Lynn,

I used a diamond paste from Classic Shaving that came in a syringe, oil based, on leather paddle,from about 3 years ago. I tried it again just 2 weeks ago on a W&B that I had shaving very smoothly. What a mistake! I have now had to use several different pastes to reduce the harshness.

From others I have heard that the different diamond pastes/sprays and media give different results. Probably so but I find that the tin ox,chrome ox,French ceruim ox & Linde A & B are doing an excellent job.

Here again we get into personal preferences. I do not like the feel of a stainless steel edge. None of them. So it just may be that diamond abrasives will be the same way? I do not have time to experiment with many abrasives anymore, got to many other irons in the fire!

But...this hijacking the thread...sorry

There is no way to hijack this thread. It is unstoppable!


Pastes certainly are on-topic as a very popular way of achieved the ultimate in sharpness, or keeness, or narrowness of cutting edge,or whatever the heck it is we are talking about here

How many guys when they were shaving the last three days have thought about this thread whilst shaving?

*raises hand*

Originally Posted by Seraphim

How many guys when they were shaving the last three days have thought about this thread whilst shaving?

*raises hand*

Man, that would frighten me. I'm glad to report that the only thing on my mind when I shaved this morning was "wow, I really put a great edge on this razor"

I've thought about this thread a lot! In fact, it is exactly the in-depth conversation I needed to hear.

I ordered a shave ready blade from Lynn, and used that as my guide when sharpening my blades. But, even though I had Lynn's blade, many of the posts here introduce doubt into my mind about my sharpening. I probably shouldn't worry about anything, because I am getting BBS shaves I am happy with with my blades. But...

The source of my quasi-angst is the fact that after the Swaty barbers hone, I use balsa and pastes exclusively. (Cost; haven't upgraded yet.) My edge matched up reasonably well, (after a ton of work and experimentation), with Lynn's edge. But, I can't say that my edge, (or even Lynn's edge), was scary sharp in the sense of one post here... at a crease in the chin, it was described as sinking into the flesh instead of sliding over the crease.

I was able to achieve an edge with 0.25 micron diamond spray that seemed sharper than I liked. But, still I wondered whether I was missing something due to my "going cheap" (for awhile) with pastes.

This thread has placed my question front and center. Imagine, a post that never ends, tailor-made by the brightest minds on SRP just for your own benefit!

Thanks, guys!

If I get an edge I do not like I back stone 2 passes on my Apart barber hone and then hone 4-8 passes till I have a slight saw tooth draw on my thumb nail. Then I re strop.

Originally Posted by jreiter22

till I have a slight saw tooth draw on my thumb nail. Then I re strop.

I am confused... it seems like you're saying that if your razor fails the TNT, then you strop it and that's the kind of edge you like

correct me if I misunderstand - I know there are personal preference differences

It was on my mind, I just honed Gugi's "Frank Hess X" razor recently and this might be the sharpest blade I have ever attained....

I mean pure wickedness, however it is soooooo smooth... The edge just glides, barely a hint of pressure and it flat just wipes hair off yer face...
You have to be careful of that wicked spike but the edge is a dream...

Razors like these are the reason it makes me question the "Too Sharp" statement so much... Now I understand if this isn't "your" type of razor, like I said earlier, I don't like wedges... But to call a razor "too sharp" because you either don't like that type, or you don't have the touch to wield it that just doesn't make sense to me....

To say "Yeah that razor is not my cup of tea", "I like a mellower steel /grind/finish" I understand, but to say I want "that" edge duller I don't...
I even understand when somebody says I love the edges off my Coticule, a Shapton edge is to harsh for me, I get that...

Here is an experiment for you guys that have multiple finishers though...
and this is why I am pretty sure sharp is separate from smooth..
Hone up a razor to an 8k shaving level,
set out all your finishers
Do however many stokes you do to finish the edge on one and go shave a patch...
Come back and finish on another and go shave a patch..
Come back and do another and go shave a patch..

Do this however many times you want or can...

Here is what I have found...

The feel is different.
I have never overhoned a blade...

See what you find !!!