Thread: Sharp enough?!?!?

Hi guys... I hope someone can help me out...
Here's the back-story:
I'm fairly new to str8 shaving (2 months) and started with Kai blades in a shavette. I acquired a vintage str8 "shave-ready" and tried to shave..... it was not very sharp at all.
So I sent it out to be honed.... When i got it back, it didn't really pass the HHT ( it would cut half way through, but not "pop" it). My honemeister said he took it up to Shapton 30K. The first shave with it recently re-honed was... well... underwhelming. At his advice, I did not strop it for this shave. Second shave: better (after 40 passes linen/20 leather). Third shave.... underwhelming again. It just would not cut the hairs on my chin; this is where my stubble is thickest and coarsest. There was no way those whiskers were coming off with 3 passes... more like 8 or 9.
So I guess I've got two questions... Is this razor actually sharp enough? Or, have SE blades given me an unrealistic concept of what sharp is?
Sure would appreciate any input.....

Hard to answer the question. OTOH, were you successfully shaving the chin with the Kai blades ? If the answer is yes I would think the issue isn't technique.

If it was honed by someone with a good reputation for honing on here, then I would have to think it might be one or more things you're doing that aren't giving a very good shave.

Give yourself a little more time to refine your techniques, and you might see an improvement. I know even after 2 months for me, I still wasn't getting the greatest shaves.

Keep the faith! It will come with time and practice

Assuming it's not your technique (this might be a big assumption if you've only shaved for 2 months) you might want to reconsider the honing job. A good honing will make the razor sharp enough to easily glide through whiskers on your cheeks, neck, chin, head, legs - it doesn't really matter. You shouldn't need to force it through at all. Also, I'd only go by the shave test (I never even bother with HHT), and that sounds like a fail to me.

I'm not sure who honed your razor, and frankly after that kind of experience you'd be better off not sharing that info. I'd suggest you look through the Member Services on the classifieds here. There are a bunch of guys out there who will put a killer edge on your razor that you can rely on, and it'll save you the trouble of questioning crummy shaves.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Hard to answer the question. OTOH, were you successfully shaving the chin with the Kai blades ? If the answer is yes I would think the issue isn't technique.

That's a qualified "yes". Taking into account my noob technique; it wasn't easy, (dudly do-little chin and tree-trunk stubble) but it would definitely cut 'em!

With my "new" vintage, the hairs seem to lay down and pass under the razor (WTG).
To actually cut my chin whiskers, I seemed to need to go ATG and scythe... a lot... with more pressure than I was comfortable with. As I'm sure you can imagine... I got more than a couple of nicks....

Originally Posted by wdwrx

That's a qualified "yes". Taking into account my noob technique; it wasn't easy, (dudly do-little chin and tree-trunk stubble) but it would definitely cut 'em!

With my "new" vintage, the hairs seem to lay down and pass under the razor (WTG).
To actually cut my chin whiskers, I seemed to need to go ATG and scythe... a lot... with more pressure than I was comfortable with. As I'm sure you can imagine... I got more than a couple of nicks....

Well for me the knob of the chin is the toughest part. Side to side and ATG are essential with adequate stretching. I take my thumb on one side and my index on the other to form a V and push toward my ears for the ATG. Grab one side an pull for the side to side and then the other. The HHT doesn't really mean it is or isn't shave ready. A lot of variables there too. If stropping improved it do 50 linen and 30 leather and see if that helps. If you had some chrom-ox that might be a good thing too on a flatbed or balsa hone. You might also contact the fellow who honed it and ask about a touch up.

Originally Posted by BingoBango

A good honing will make the razor sharp enough to easily glide through whiskers on your cheeks, neck, chin, head, legs - it doesn't really matter. You shouldn't need to force it through at all. Also, I'd only go by the shave test (I never even bother with HHT), and that sounds like a fail to me.

That's what I thought.
I've just done a test: I passed each of three razors over the hair on my arms.
-One I honed myself to 8k JWS. (i do not consider this one shave ready) Hairs will come off with 3 or 4 passes, slight pressure.
-Kai razor with used blade: hairs don't even wait... they just get up and leave the room! No pressure... couldn't even feel the razor on my skin.
-"honed" razor: same as the one I honed: 3 or 4 passes, pressure required... one stubborn little bugger never got cut at all.... just laid down until it was safe....


Methinks it really not sharp enough.
That's pretty disappointing; it cost me an arm and a leg to ship it, never mind the honing fee....

I wonder if a change in prep is called for? Are you using a hot towel to moisten and soften the beard before you start? If not, that might help.

Best Regards

goshawk

Originally Posted by wdwrx

Methinks it really not sharp enough.
That's pretty disappointing; it cost me an arm and a leg to ship it, never mind the honing fee....

Get in touch with the person who honed it for you and I think they ought to make it right one way or another.

Originally Posted by goshawk

I wonder if a change in prep is called for? Are you using a hot towel to moisten and soften the beard before you start? If not, that might help.

Best Regards

goshawk

Oh man... my prep is crazy... I've added just about every step I've come across:
Hot shower (without exception)
exfoliate
apply hair conditioner to beard, rinse
apply PSO, wipe excess
apply a bit of lather and, occasioanly, a hot towel for a few minutes while stropping
Reapply lather and shave, re-applying PSO, usually between passes 2 and 3.