Thread: What is the definitive edge & shave??

As mentioned in previous threads I am new to the forum, but not new to using a razor, and I have learned more aout razors in the last 40 days than what I had in the previous 40 years.

Who said you can't teach an old dog new tricks?

I don't think is was complacency but more it was somthing I just 'did' and never gave too much thought to it. I do admit that I have always thought that a razor was one of those few tools they seemed to have got right first time as there has been no real advance in design since I first bought mine. No doubt there have been advances in metalurgy.

In browsing these forums a lot of discussion is on 'how sharp is the blade' and people looking to what is the judging criteria for a blades sharpness. I think the hanging hair trick is not a bad indication of sharpness.

Having used a blade for many years sometimes you tend to miss that the blade is going a bit dull and just push a little harder

However in thinking about what defines a good edge I put forward for discussion the following criteria.

To me a blades is shaving well when you have shaved in the morning and then that evening you are going out a decide to have another shave - which is usually within about 10 hours of your morning shave - to me the blade is working well when about 10 hours growth comes off nice and clean.

To me that is the definitive result

Look forward to comments

Regards to all

It depends a lot on the properties and growth speed of your hair.
I only shave every other day because if I get a close shave, I can't shave again the next day because there won't be much to shave.
10 hours is not enough to have anything worth shaving.

I usually shave the night before, so for me the perfect shave and one that is really close must be one that still looks fresh ten hours later. I could get growth off the next morning, It just would cost me comfort.

I think I understand what your asking here Colin, and would answer that my personal definitive test of the edge is an Against The Grain (ATG) pass with no preamble on my neck.... If the blade mows right through with no pulling, tugging, or skipping, then I deem that blade shave worthy....
For me it takes a very good edge to accomplish this, I can get perfectly serviceable shaves with a lesser edge, but if the razor pass this test it has to be very keen.... I hope that I read your post correctly and that was the info the you were looking for....

To me, sharpness has always been about the shave. When you can get a smooth and comfortable shave that leaves your face feeling like a baby's bottom, you're there.

That is the art and that is the quest.

Have fun,

Lynn

I actually have two tests for a good edge! There is a spot on the left side of my chin, the whiskers on that spot will not be removed comfortably by anything less than a perfect edge! The other test is shaving my upper lip against the grain! I follow the corner of my upper lip to the to the center and then repeat on the other side! If this can be done comfortably without pulling, I know my blade is there!

I should add that going against the grain on the upper lip is not recommended for beginners!

I have a simple criteria for a perfect edge.

It's one that gives me a good shave every morning with only a leather stropping between shaves. The blade should last at least a month before needing to revisit a hone.

By a good shave I mean that after the shave my face feels normal and healthy and smoothly shaven.

Some edges I find can be too sharp and give me too close a shave and some of the pastes used today such as chromium oxide and diamond can achieve this degree of sharpness all to easily.

Incidentally I don't know that there have been advances in blade metallurgy over the years. I have tried many blades over the years and I have had more success with the vintage razors. Some of the forum members are undertaking sterling work to try and understand what is the mystery that makes the perfect metal, but I suspect the answer will be very difficult to determine. But it would be good if they succeed. It would remove one of the variables.

Interesting to get the feedback. Just goes to show that what is right for one is not right for the other.

I accept one respondent who belives a blade can be too sharp, for to some extent the blade has to have the ability to 'roll' over little humps and bumps, and I know at times I have thought ' this damn thing is too sharp' as you finish your shave with wee bits missing in half a dozen places or so.

When this happens - no stropping for a day or two and it all comes back into place


Regards to all

For me, a really good edge is smooth and sufficiently sharp to remove almost all whiskers with a single pass. The primary requirement is smooth. I also find that some razors can be to sharp and leave me with a bunch of "weepers". I also have a "bumpy" face.