Quote Originally Posted by Galaxy51 View Post
Tack, I don't mean to be excessively argumentive but I can't totaly agree with the statement "the sharper the blade the smoother the shave".
Sharp and smooth are two seperate things. For me the sharper the edge the more difficult smoothness is to achieve. I know it has a lot to do with the quality and temper of the steel in the edge, and even the possibility of overhoning comes into play.
The good news is: agreement is not required and I'm used to disagreement. Heck, I'm even wrong sometimes.

I suppose any "argument" here would be about definitions.

By "sharp" I would mean able to shear off the whiskers without pulling them out unduly, without the application of any appreciable pressure upon the skin, without scraping off much of the skin other than a few dead cells, and therefore leading to a comfortable shave.

By "smooth" I would mean.. well, by golly, pretty much the same thing!

Any edge that is ragged enough to feel rough on the face or fail to achieve the above and therefore is considered "not smooth" simply is not sharp - or "keen" if you prefer that term - in my book. I know that it's popular to try to separate the two terms but IMNSHO they are inseparably linked.

rs,
Tack