I shaved for two years with an edge that came from the factory, "honed" by me on a concave Escher. I then proceeded to cutting and nicking the heck out of my strop, and continued using it. So I know about dull.

When I got this same razor back from one of our honemeisters, it was the first sharp razor I had used. After my first shave I had weepers all over my face and a few nicks. I've since learned to use a lighter hand and do very well with it. But....

Since I've honed a couple of my own blades, with a proper setup, I'm finding I get a more comfortable and closer shave with my blade, than one honed by a pro. This really surprised me because I'm not yet able to match in sharpness the pro edges that I have. I have four blades honed by three different honemeisters.

It can be argued that I just don't have the proper skill to use a professionally honed blade yet, and that would be correct. But if the end game is close, comfortable shaves, then I really don't need the proper skill to wield a professionally honed blade, since my edge works. Each persons shaving experience is different and I think there's a balance that must be struck between the keenness of an edge and the person's skill, to get a satisfying shave.

That's why I've said I like a duller edge, or a razor that isn't too sharp, in relation to honemeister sharp. I think the confusion is mostly semantics.

Having said all that, I'm sure as my shaving skill and honing skill increases, the sharpness bar I'm comfortable with, will move upward as well. And I do want to learn how to bring a blade to "scary sharp," but it's more for the fun of it than anything else.