Still getting sharper?

On May 10th I honed my W&B 7/8 meat chopper on a 4000/8000 Norton using the pyramid until it passed the HHT. Then 20 trips on a pasted paddle at .5 micron.

Since then I have shaved daily with it (23 shaves) and have done nothing other than 15 trips on untreated linen followed by 50 trips on a untreated leather hanging strop before each shave.

It seems to still be getting "sharper" and shaving "better" with time...is that normal? How long can I expect that to go on before the shaves start to get worse?

Dave

Yeah, this is interesting. There's been some debate as to why this might be happening, but after the first three shaves or so the edge seems to come into its own. Perhaps the honing and shaving is wearing down the gruffer spots on the edge giving a smoother feel. Perhaps there is some heat stressing occuring by shaving and stropping and shaving and stropping which is giving the edge some durability. Perhaps it's both of these and/or something else.

X

how long have you been straight shaving? could it be that your skill level is improving and that the razor isnt getting sharper but instead you are getting better at using it?

Its nto uncommon for people to report that the shaves get better after a few shaves.

how long you can expect it to go on really depends on your beard and on your stropping skill i would surmise.

I say this as a "shaver" and not as a "honemeister". I believe the edge is becoming smoother, not sharper. I think X is spot on about the rougher edges having worn away, and that your stroppinpg is polishing the edge. With a double edge razor, it is common for the first shave or two to be a bit on the "aggressive" side, and by day three, the blade give a very smooth shave. It sounds very much like the same thing.

RT

RT,

That is exactly what I experienced recently with 2 str8s. I worked them till they scared the hairs away. The first two shaves while close were not as comfortable as they are now. Interesting:)