Thread: When is the razor shave ready

A respected honemeister once told me that he is satisfied when a blade shaves hair WTG on his cheek, and sends it out.

In my opinion, this is not shave ready. If, on my face, I cannot shave ATG everywhere (including neck, chip, upper lip) without tugging and irritation, it is not shave ready. I go back to the hones, the pastes, whatever is needed, until it is.

Maybe there are whiskers so tough that there is no blade is sharp enough to do this with. I don't know. We all believe we have tough beards and sensitive skin. Maybe I'm blessed with babyfine whiskers and leathery skin.

I really believe that any straight shaver needs to hone his own razors, and should aim for BBS with minimal irritation, including ATG passes where necessary. Expecting someone a thousand or more miles away, who has never met you or studied your mug, to dial in your edges to produce this effect for $10 - $20, is, in my opinion, a fond notion.