I wish to be able to shave my face vaguely comfortably, with a blade
I wish to be able to shave my face vaguely comfortably, with a blade that I am able to sharpen/hone. I would like to shave 'dry' or with normal soap.
I am well aware of the complexities of sharpening. I have read many articles (some from this forum) and watched numerous videos. I am also aware or metallurgy. Most information available on the internet about sharpening, I have likely investigated. I doubt there is any more theory out there that will somehow make me sharpen more successfully than I am currently.
Using this various advice, I have managed to create new bevels on various blunt kitchen knives, that enable me to shave the back of my hand consistently. This level of sharpness is more than adequate for cutting vegetables, especially given like most other people, I have got used to relatively blunt kitchen blades, for all of my life.
However, I can not get these blades to competently shave my face, no matter how long I spend trying to hone/strop them. The blades 'pull' at the hairs on my face, which makes shaving with them unfeasible.
The blades do not pass hanging hair test.
The knives are of decent quality, but will definitely not be top end expensive metal.
I achieved the above with a 1800 grit stone. I also have a Norton 1000/4000. I can repeat the above with this 4000 stone, but I can't manage to get the knives sharper than the above.
So my questions are as follows:
1) Is it possible to get an average quality kitchen blade comfortably face shaveable with a Norton 4000 grit stone?
Youtube shows Murray Carter shaving his face with various blades, but it seems he uses a 6000 grit waterstone to achieve this, and I do not remember a mention of the quality of metal of these blades.
If it is possible. What is the most likely reason I am not achieving it:
~ Skill/experience?
~ Bevel angle too large on these kitchen blades?
~ Mettallurgy of the blades is not high enough quality?
If the latter two are the most likely reasons then the solution would be to get a straight razor. Which brings question (2) If I buy a straight razor, given the information I share above, do you think a beginner like me will be able to get a comfortable shave with a straight razor honing on a Norton 4000 stone? (Given I am unable to get a kitchen blade past hand shaveable)
3) Do you believe I could get a comfortable shave from a straight razor on an 8000 stone? I.e. Is the stone grit relevant here or is months of technique/practice necessary before the straight razor becomes realistically useable.
I am basically asking the following question with hope that no one bulls##ts for stupid ego reasons:
~ Can you get your straight razor comfortably shaving from a 4000 grit stone. Can you get other blades comfortably shaving from a 4000 grit stone. If not can you achieve it with higher grits or better quality metal blades.
I realise these questions are subjective to some degree, and therefore difficult to answer accurately. But I appreciate any useful attempt to answer them, and ideally experimentation, in order for me to compare, and consequently decide what my best next step should be. :)
I don't know if this is at all interesting to any of you given this is a forum for straight razors, rather than sharpening in general. But I imagine it is the best place to be asking such a question.
Thanks in advance.