Thread: Can a blade be too sharp?

Originally Posted by Fido

As a newcomer to the world of straight shaving, I wonder if it is possible to have a blade that is too sharp for comfort for those with a sensitive skin? Or is there no such thing as too sharp in this sphere of shaving? And if there is such a thing is it just a question of laying off stropping until it settles down?

Let me put this to you. I am familiar with weepers from a Feather DE. I am also familiar with using a straight razor effectively as sharp ( Zowada razor) but not having the weepers. I really think there are degrees of smoothness to an edge rather than degrees of sharpness but maybe its just semantics.
It is possible to have an edge that is not smooth enough for sensitive skin & it is possible to use too much pressure but I can't see how stropping would make an edge uncomfortable unless it was done wrongly. I find stropping smoothes an edge off the stones not the opposite.

Thanks again for all the replies.

When DE shaving I am well used to the fact that first use of a new blade is followed the next day by a feeling that a slight edge has been taken off the blade. This often leads to a more comfortable shaving experience on second and subsequent days until the blade needs to be replaced. When I used my new straight razor it was incredibly sharp. Now on my fourth session with it the razor does not seem quite so sharp and I am getting a smoother more comfortable shave. I realise this may be due to a progressive improvement in my shaving technique as I become less inhibited. I now have two more freshly restored and honed razors. I will be interested to see if I have the same experience with them.

I'm sticking at it and making progress! But not without the aid of a final pass with my DE razor.