Quote Originally Posted by riooso View Post
Two that I have had the most trouble with were a Bill Ellis 1/4 grind and a TI 9/16 full hollow. I could not get them sharp and smooth at the same time. I used stones, films and pastes to no avail. I have been honing on my own for almost 2 years now and have even honed up one that a guy sent back because he said it was to sharp for him. I have an extremely tough beard and I think perhaps is the problem. My razors must be "scary" sharp for me to get a really great shave and I have just not found that possible with a stainless, thus far. Lynn was kind enough to hone one for me, but it did not matter. My best stainless is a fully ground 7/8 no name, made in Soligen, that I bought at a knife store. It was my first razor strangely enough. The blade is so thin by the time you get to the edge that I literally see it bend on the contours of my face. One of these days I would like to be in a room full of straight shavers and get a poll going and see who likes stainless. I am betting that they are not of Portuguese or latin origin. I am the former and have a patch on each side of my chin that even a 1/4 will sound off on, just horribly tough! You know, I am probably all wet but it is hard since I live almost in complete isolation when it comes to using a straight razor.


Thanks, did not mean to hijack the thread,
Richard
That's interesting. The Ellis is kind of a "who knows" since it's custom, so no one else can tell you if that's odd. The TIs are notorious for being honing problems. The no name - well, who knows. It would be nice if you could try one of the old old friodurs and see what you think (I don't mean the NOS monsters, but rather really old ones like the 70 1/2), but they are pricey for just an experiment. But as you say, we all have our own beard conditions. And we all have our mysteries - I can't figure out why people like TGQ and Trumper soaps so much for example.