You know what I had a hard time believing at first?

I never did quite believe straight could match a shavette or Slantbar in terms of sharpness. I suspected maybe these guys were "straight razor superfans" and were overstating how nice the shaves they got were. I was scraping myself up good. Maybe some here are in that boat, but they would never come out and say it. :)

I got mine shaveable and all, and enjoyed it, but when I loaded a single-side blade into my Dovo shavette, the blades not only cut easier but were literally too sharp.
Even after getting BBS shaves with my straights, there was always a little more effort to get those results. (3 passes and a touchup for total smoothness at every angle).

I occasionally shave with a shavette to gauge my progress with real straights, or when I'm really in a rush, and I was pleased to find it was not only no better than my recent straight shaves, but around my chin area it was even pulling more than my own honed and stropped straights. (My chin challenges even a feather blade).

I ended up doing a second pass with the Cmon I'd just gotten, happy to be inconvenienced.

So a good finish off a high grit stone like the Norton 8k will really get you a nice shave. Taking it a step further with the finishing stones and pastes will obviously force you to BELIEVE THE HYPE. You'll probably get there, it's just in comparison to how easy modern shaving got, straight shaving and maintenance is a trained skill normally applied to a profession and not as simple as learning to take a plastic handle and drag it over your face while the multi-blades and pivoting head take the skill and reward out of it.

As for which is truly sharper, maybe a feather still has the edge (consider no pun please), though I know I'm easily getting the blade as sharp as the average machine-honed blade I put into my DE or shavette. The real difference is it's smooth, and unlike machine blades, I NEVER ever bleed after the shave any more. The straights really are king.

I use a Slant/Feather combo now, and while I don't nick myself, I do get razor burn from time to time from overblading.

I'm looking forward to my first shave with a straight (next weekend when I'm home on vacation).

:) Yup! :) :) :)

Indeed, and then you throw in the rest of the intangible cool factors...fahgedabouddit....:D

Jordan

Feather blades are sharper than any straight I ever shaved with.
That being said, I think there is such a thing as too sharp.

I have gotten better shaves from real straights, despite the fact that they were not as sharp. Smoothness and edge shave counts as well.

sharper edges are also more fragile, so there is a tradeoff to make there as well.

But the nice thing about feather blades is that they give you something to aim for while honing. :)

Jordan's right on with the cool factors :cool:

Also, I think weight is the problem with the Shavette. It's too light which makes you use too much pressure in certain areas causing mroe irritation than if you used a straight.

The Demon here is that you never quit looking for that absolutely perfect shave that's even better than the last one.............The road is an excellent adventure.

Have fun,

Lynn

Quote:

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Originally Posted by adjustme69

The Demon here is that you never quit looking for that absolutely perfect shave that's even better than the last one.............The road is an excellent adventure.

Have fun,

Lynn

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+1 very true. The str8 shave so is much superior to the DE but one is still not satisfied in the quest to get the perfect shave. This is one of the many catalysts for RAD

RAD hasn't been influenced by sharpness, because I don't believe I'd gone and bought a razor I could get sharper than any good blade I've had, just some that got real sharp easier.
Some do hone easier and strop easier, or take to personal treatment better for me.