Thread: Straight razor sharp?

Hi all,

Not sure whether I have to post here or in the beginner forum. Mod, please feel free to move the topic.

I just bought a new straight razor from a local shop. It is a Herbertz Solingen 5/8. According to the shop owner, it was shaving sharp from the factory and did not need sharpening. Now I am home and have tested it. The razor does not pass the HHT. It also does not "catch" my (thin) hair. When I drag a hair from my girlfriend (a bit thicker and stiffer than mine) over the razor, it does catch the hair and splits it, effectively creating two thinner hairs of the same length.

Do you think this razor is sharp enough?

Thanks!

Evert.

You need to shave with it and that will answer your question.

Factory made edges are seldom sharp enough. (in modern production razors)

I think you should have tried a shave test..

That does not mean an entire shave, that means do a full prep and lather then start at the easiest spot on the face, from the sideburn to jawline on your strong side.. Now paying very careful attention to the angle and pressure try a simple stroke,, The razor should shave that patch surprisingly well now try the other side same spot... If you are lost in this explanation you need to do more research on here

The HHT is a test for the honer not the shaver


All that being writtin the truth of the matter is that "From the Factory honing is a myth"

But pay attention to what I said for you newly honed razor don't spoil that with a test that tells you nothing

g

There are many threads and posts here on SRP that suggest that people new to straight razors avoid the HHT. Search the site and enjoy the reads. As noted above, after a proper face prep just shave your cheek. Be sure to have a proper angle and do not do any slicing movements. That is the only way to know for sure if it is shave ready.

Ok, thanks! The HHT is not a good test for determing razor sharpness.

I'll try and shave myself with it. Problem is: I've never done it before and I do not know how sharp the razor should be. So if it goes cumbersome, how do I determine then whether it is the razor sharpness or my technique?

Follow this link here to the SRP beginner's guide. In there you will find a post by Lynn, SRP founder, on recommended procedure for the first straight razor shaves. Read the text in the beginner's guide carefully and you should find all you need to get started in the right direction. Just don't rush it and you will have a better chance of a pleasant introduction to straight razor shaving.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

That does not mean an entire shave, that means do a full prep and lather then start at the easiest spot on the face, from the sideburn to jawline on your strong side.. Now paying very careful attention to the angle and pressure try a simple stroke,, The razor should shave that patch surprisingly well now try the other side same spot... If you are lost in this explanation you need to do more research on here

Originally Posted by Joed

As noted above, after a proper face prep just shave your cheek. Be sure to have a proper angle and do not do any slicing movements. That is the only way to know for sure if it is shave ready.

Originally Posted by evert67

Problem is: I've never done it before and I do not know how sharp the razor should be. So if it goes cumbersome, how do I determine then whether it is the razor sharpness or my technique?

Other than what Joe and I already pointed out ?????

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Other than what Joe and I already pointed out ?????

I guess I'll have to jump in!

Thanks, and I'll let you know the results.

Well, I did it .

I am not sure what to think of the results. I first tried to shave off some arm hair. That went without any problems.

Then I did what gssixgun recommended.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

I think you should have tried a shave test..

That does not mean an entire shave, that means do a full prep and lather then start at the easiest spot on the face, from the sideburn to jawline on your strong side.. Now paying very careful attention to the angle and pressure try a simple stroke,, The razor should shave that patch surprisingly well now try the other side same spot...

The razor did shave, but definitely not "surprisingly well". I had to shave each patch of skin a few times to get all hairs removed; the razor did not catch all hairs in one pass, it seemed to "hang" on some hairs. I went on to my cheecks with the same results. After shaving the skin was pretty red and feeling burnished.

What do the experts make of this?

Originally Posted by evert67

Well, I did it .

... After shaving the skin was pretty red and feeling burned.

What do the experts make of this?

Redness and razor burn are usually signs of too much pressure and/or an improper angle. If the razor were not sharp enough you would feel tugging as the hairs were being cut. Think of what it feels like to shave with a dull disposable or DE. Did it feel like that? Straight razors take a while to get the technique down and many fail because of the time and patients it takes to master. The technique is much different than the disposables.