Thread: 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.

Hmm, well here is my two cents. Can you shave off of a 4K stone? Sure... but I would never want to. If you are determined that 4k is as high as you want to go then investigate how to strop and stropping compounds.

The standard grit for being shave ready is usually considered to be 8k or higher. Best of luck.

Welcome to SRP!
Can you shave with a kitchen knife? Why would you want to??? Geometry issues aside, you would want to reset the bevel on the blade to about 17 degrees.
Can you shave off of a 4k grit? Yes, and you can shave off of a 1k grit as well. I wouldn't recommend it, but you can do it. Shaving off of an 8k is better and a 12k will be more comfortable. Finish it with 30k CrOx strop and that is where I shave at usually.
If you don't feel like purchasing $200 worth of hones, I highly suggest that you send the straight razor out for sharpening. At $30 per sharpening, that's 7 professional honings for the price of the hones.

We do have a honing subforum that you might want to check out
I don't mean the following to be snippy, but you can read all the theory you want and still not be able to hone - it's an art that takes practice to learn.

Prepare yourself to now receive a bunch of different opinions from a bunch of different people.

Hi Blunt,

Welcome to the SRP! If you begin any journey from a wrong starting point, you are most probably going to end up somewhere that you would not like to be.

If you would like to enjoy shaving, forget about kitchen knives. Shaving with a straight razor requires skills and precision. And respect. Respect to your tools. Good skills+good tools=great results. Invest in good tools (time and $) and you will not regret that you started this journey.

And one more thing-do not dry-shave with a straight razor...

Regards,
AG

I'll throw this out. Knives have their purpose, shVing is not one. If you want to shave with metal buy a Dovo or Aust from SRD. You will get a shave ready razor that will be comfortable to shave with. You can keep it sharp with a strop and paste as needed. SRD will hone it for you free the first time you need it done. After that if you want do do things yourself get a Norton 4/8. You would be able to get good shaves off the 8k. Most here go higher in grit 12k minimum.

On top of the obvious, is my blade sharp enough question there is also the question of is your technique up to snuff. A close comfortable shave is not achieved strictly ion the sharpness of the blade, it is actually the combination of an amply sharp blade and a proper and experienced technique. So although a razor can shave at 1K, and without a lot of discomfort in experienced ands, a 4K shave is a little more desirable because of comfort and I think you can see the pattern. So if for whatever reason you want to use a kitchen knife as a razor, I hope the steel is good enough to hold an 8K edge and that you practice often enough to develop your technique.

Originally Posted by RezDog

So if for whatever reason you want to use a kitchen knife as a razor, I hope the steel is good enough to hold an 8K edge and that you practice often enough to develop your technique.

It sure brings new meaning to "Spike!"

Welcome to SRP Blunt: I personally prefer shaving in comfort verses discomfort. There is a reason why good finishing stones are expensive. Good Luck and Keep Us Updated On Your Shaving Progress.

So many questions... But I think the only one that hasn't been asked yet - why do you want to shave dry or with normal soap (I'm thinking the bar of Irish Springs I use in the shower when I hear "normal" soap)? Just thinking about that makes me want to grow a beard. I'll replace every Chuck Norris joke I ever tell from now on with your name if you post a video of you shaving dry with a straight razor.

Why on earth would you want to dry shave with a kitchen knife ?
Okay Dove would be a good soap to start with but the knives have got to go. Wives don't like that type of kitchen invasion. Go to the garage and get something with backbone like