Thread: Can a blade be too sharp?

As an experienced DE shaver I know that my skin does not take kindly to very sharp DE blades. Even with the lightest of touch I end up with a few nicks when using say, a Kai or Feather. So I get a more comfortable but still close shave with blades not quite so sharp.

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?

Theres been a load of conversation about this, and if you search for the threads theres a veritable encyclopedia of views, opinions and theories out there...!

With DE and Feather blades, the manufacturer coats the blades in teflon to give them maximum glide and minimum resistance when shaving. This is what gives them that "too sharp" feeling and results in weepers and the like. There are people who prefer the feel of these blades after two to three uses, once the teflon has started to rub off and they lose that crazy edge.

An experienced honemeister can get a straight razor up to the same level of sharpness as a feather, but without the teflon coating you dont get that oversharp feeling.

As to whether a blade can be "too sharp", I guess its all down to personal preference! I find I prefer the feel of a well honed and stropped straight razor to the feel of a DE blade. For me, the DE blades feel a bit too harsh and have a scratchyness about them, whereas the straight just glides over my face.

I am of the opinion that the steel used in straight razors is of a higher quality than that used in feather and DE blades, simply because the feather and DE blades are designed to be thrown away once they are dull. Why spend the money on the better quality steel when its only going to be used for a month or so? Build something that will last for a month and thats it. You expect a straight to last for years, so the makers put the good stuff into them! I might be wrong, but this makes sense to me.

Whether this impacts the feeling of the shave I have no idea, but I really do find that the straight razor gives the best shave and best feeling on your face.

No, a blade can't be too sharp.
There is no such thing as too many razors, too much money or ammo or too much wine...

IMHO Fido, There is no such thing as "To sharp". Now you can over hone a straight, then you will have a rolled edge, but never to sharp. It is much easier to remove the hair with a sharp blade. When they start to get dull, that's when you get the pinching, pulling and cutting of the skin because the blade doesn't glide like it should. I was a Cook in the Army and the saying was "The most dangerous knife in the kitchen was a dull knife".

Here is a long debate on the topic. If you like a comfortable feel to your edges you will probably like the feel of an edge honed on a coticule. Chrom-ox can tame a harsh edge as well IME.

I think Stubear may have hit the nail on the head. WHO KNOWS!

Seems the more I learn, the less I know. If you think your razor is to sharp - don't strop it after you use it and see if it is any better next shave. If it is, then back off on your stropping and dial the edge in how you like it.

I have never had anyone send me a razor to hone and ask that it not be honed too sharp. Maybe the real question, you should be asking, is do some steels produce a smoother edge than others? And then again maybe not.


Enjoy!

Ray

With stubear on this, it's mostly preference.

There's a lot of talk about "sharp" and "smooth", especially with blades being finalized on a CrOx-strop considered giving a smoother shave. Some people (gssixgun comes to mind most notably ) have only one thing in mind: ultrasharpness. I think "smooth" doesn't mean "not sharp", and I think there's a SIGNIFICANT amount of misunderstanding on the subject (hence the quotes in my post ).

As long as a razor shaves pleasantly, I'm happy. Depends on the edge quality and the way it's polished, plus technique. Sprinkle it with a dose of personal preference, and you've got a complex multi-variable equation, often with a big set of solutions.

Since Fido started the topic with the mention of DE blades I think there is a known quantity there. When I used to shave with a DE and experimented with various blades the Gillette Swede was the sharpest and smoothest with the Feather as sharp but not as smooth.

Then I tried the Derby and hated it at first. I had to learn to like the Derby and really use the multiple pass, gradual stubble removal technique to find the sweet spot for the Derby. It is a razor blade and it is sharp but it isn't as sharp as the Gillette Swede or the Feather IME.

I have been a pro tattooer for a couple of decades and one thing I've learned in that time while poking needles into skin is that we all have different hide. I'm sure a barber could comment on our differences in whiskers. IMO this is where the differing opinions come into the mix. Those with tougher skin probably won't find a Feather too sharp/harsh while those with the more tender epidermis will. Just IMHO.

Unless the edge is compromised by being too fragile, no. It's job is to cut. It can't be too good at it. The problem is that a user is putting flesh where hair should be. They should practice shaving more, rather than wishing for a more dull razor. I've got a razor I guarantee will never cut you. I call it the Es Puun. Only $100 each.

Act now and you can purchase the money saving four pack for only $375

Originally Posted by IanS

Unless the edge is compromised by being too fragile, no. It's job is to cut. It can't be too good at it. The problem is that a user is putting flesh where hair should be. They should practice shaving more, rather than wishing for a more dull razor. I've got a razor I guarantee will never cut you. I call it the Es Puun. Only $100 each.

Act now and you can purchase the money saving four pack for only $375

Honing that one would definitely require the rolling X