Thread: Just a quick question

is it normal for one razor to shave better then another ?

Absolutely.

is one sharper then the other or could it be something else

Sure, it could be that one is sharper (more recently honed, perhaps you rolled the edge on the other one while stropping?), but it could also be that with your particular shaving technique you get a better shave with one than with the other - its particular weight, balance, or grind suits you better. It's all pretty subjective.

o boy
the first one I bought is a Ralf Aust Solingen
and I was using it for about three weeks and a better shave
the other R.H. Hegener Columbia
I strop them the same and even try very hard to shave the same
heck the only reason I bought the second was that I was afraid of dulling the first and not being able to get it re-honed before I got home from deployment

Well that depends. If both have been properly honed preferable by the same person then the difference you may get could be based on your technique and the attributes of the blade itself. Some find shaving with a 7/8 quarter hollow versus a 4/8 full hollow gives them a better result even if both are truly shave ready.

As a fairly new straight razor myself, I've seen this happen but back and forth between the few razors I own. As soon as I thought razor x was superior to razor y, it'd switch. It just so happens I was improving honing/stropping so it was really variable.
My guess is if you got the Aust back to super sharp again it'd be a contender again?

i've only got the one straight, so far ive had about 4 shaves with it, the first one out of the gate was great, next two were fairly lousy as my stropping technique was developing, had the razor honed, and last shave was the best. the next two should be interesting as stropping will once again play heavily into the mix, but I am confident they will be great as i believe i have corrected some of the issues i have had. I guess my answer is as others have said, there are enough variables between shaves with one razor, of course two razors doubles the amount of variables, then factor in the switching between types, weight differences, grinds, etc. etc. yes it can be different

the Aust is the one I got first ......have been using longer and the better shave.
but I do see what your saying...im going to buy a honing stone next to try to sharpen myself.....if that dosnt work out ill use lynn

Originally Posted by casper

the Aust is the one I got first ......have been using longer and the better shave.
but I do see what your saying...im going to buy a honing stone next to try to sharpen myself.....if that dosnt work out ill use lynn

I am in the process of working out which hones to buy don't forget that you will also need something to lap it with.
I also have two razors, one in post for honing, so am using my other razor, I believe it to be sharp but the shave isnt as good,I Thi k technique is the issue.
Good luck.