Thread: blade sharpeness and comfort

If a blade is more sharp it should be more comfortable because the resistence is less? What increases comfort and why?

I posted this in the other thread for you but will put it here as well.


My thought process behind this although not scientific is this.

As you shave even with light pressure the edge and part of the bevel skim your face,

Diamonds as an abrasive have very angular surfaces compared to other abrasive compounds,

and as such leave a scratch pattern that's ridges are also sharp.

This results in your face being scratched more aggressively than when other mediums are used.

This is what leads to the harsher feeling and potentially discomfort and or razor burn for some.

Sharp is sharp, smooth is smooth.

Sharp enough to cut hairs with no resistance and smooth feeling on my face is what I aim for.

Again just my take/thoughts on it.

Additionally, as the edge wears (dulls) it tends to "grab" the whiskers rather than cleanly cutting them. The result is that it feels like the whiskers are being yanked out rather than shaven.

So, too dull is bad.
Too sharp (harsh) is bad.
Well honed and smooth is good.

There are many mediums to get a razor sharp. Not all leave a smooth edge. So I would suggest the scratch pattern and its refinement would affect this. That would be why crox can smooth an edge. It smooth out the scratchs.

Harsh and sharp are mutually exclusive. The mark of a good honer is the ability to get the razor as sharp as possible yet shave with total comfort. Usually harshness starts as a blade begins to deteriorate. It may still give a very close shave but the comfort starts to go and that's the time to consider a touchup. Also some honing media like .25 diamond (for instance) can impart a harshness to the razor.

And some over refined edges(heavy use of sub micron cbn dia lapping film among others) will take any slight bump on your face right off. If my face was as flat as a pane of glass, maybe but you have to have both or its no good. And the neck is one of the most sensitive parts of your body. It has to be sharp or it tugs and it has to be smooth or you will have tons of weepers.

Thanks for the thoughts. I have much to learn. Any other opinions are surely welcome.

This is one of those contentious topics that comes up every so often. I, like most guys who have been at this for awhile, can eke out a shave with a less than stellar edge (usually with low comfort) but IME a sharper edge provides zero irritation and weepers. Given the choice I'm sure you can guess which option I prefer

Originally Posted by Ryan82

This is one of those contentious topics that comes up every so often. I, like most guys who have been at this for awhile, can eke out a shave with a less than stellar edge (usually with low comfort) but IME a sharper edge provides zero irritation and weepers. Given the choice I'm sure you can guess which option I prefer

Let me guess,
the less than stellar shave so your aftershave lights you up and you feel alive......

Originally Posted by pfries

Let me guess,
the less than stellar shave so your aftershave lights you up and you feel alive......

No, but it still beats the hell out of a cartridge shave lol