Thread: Sharpness tests for beginners

I was talking about this with those that shall not be named when I came to a conclusion, there are none. Every sharpness test out there, including the shave test, requires previous experience to create a baseline.

When It comes down to it, as a beginner you just need to buy a shave ready razor from a reputable honeristah and hope for the best.

Originally Posted by Slartibartfast

When It comes down to it, as a beginner you just need to buy a shave ready razor from a reputable honeristah and hope for the best.

Yup I totally agree, that's what I figured after hours and hours of research before buying my first. And so I did, and got a great starter razor

yep! Kinda like playing a good golf game. Ive been told its a great feeling, but hasnt happend yet!

Very true! And it's gonna save you alot of frustration and wonder.

Originally Posted by Slartibartfast

Every sharpness test out there, including the shave test, requires previous experience to create a baseline.

I agree. Could you have handed me a razor before I ever shaved with a straight and had confidence in my interpretation of its shave-readiness based on my first straight razor shave with it, let alone one of the other non facial hair tests? Nay, I say!

If you are too much of a hoglahoo to attend a get-together where these things can be sorted out by mobs of experienced, enthusiastic members in short order, then the beginner should be served well to purchase a shave ready razor from a reputable honeristah and hope for the best

This is so true.

If someone gives you widget X, how do you know how if its any good? You need something to compare it to, namely other widgets. Dont fidget with the widget unless you did it with another widget.

All you can really do is read up, try to get the best advice you can, make an informed purchase and take a leap of faith!

when I first started out a few years agoI used a shavette and a few different types of blades,(dorko, persona, feather ect.) That gave me a decent baseline for my first few hones. further experience was needed and I got far better shaves from my "real" razors but it helped

Originally Posted by Slartibartfast

I was talking about this with those that shall not be named when I came to a conclusion, there are none. Every sharpness test out there, including the shave test, requires previous experience to create a baseline.

When It comes down to it, as a beginner you just need to buy a shave ready razor from a reputable honeristah and hope for the best.

Now if we could just get every beginner out there to read this, hehehe.

Originally Posted by mjhammer

Now if we could just get every beginner out there to read this, hehehe.

I totally agree - I wish I had

Im glad I understood this when I first started shaving. I didn't worry about the razor passing ____ test, instead I just shaved with it and everything worked out great.