Does a shave on any given razor improve over time?

Does a shave on any given razor improve over time?

There really is no such thing as a perfectly honed razor. No matter how finely honed, under magnification there will always be small imperfections.

I wonder? When we shave and strop over time is there a point where the shaves get better and more comfortable? Do some small imperfections smooth out with use?

Obviously I'm asking this knowing that there will be diminishing returns and somewhere down the line a razor will have to see a hone again. But until that happens is there a point where a razor gets better with time or is it really best just after a hone?

Any thoughts on this?

- Totton

It is often reported that a blade gives a somewhat harsh shave when freshly honed, then seems to improve after a shave or two. This is usually an indication that we didn't strop it sufficiently off the stone. In other words, further stropping produces a little keener edge and of course, the sharper the blade the smoother the shave.

rs,
Tack

After I hone, I feel like the edge doesn't really hit its stride until the third shave or so. Whether it's psychological or not, things just feel more smooth and stable after a few rounds of shaving and stropping.

Short answer, yes. I usually experience a smoother shave after 3-5 shaves.
It will depend al lot on how sharp and smooth the edge was after the initial honing and stropping. Also dependent upon good stropping technique and razor maintenence.

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.

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Originally Posted by Galaxy51

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.

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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

I have found that when I go 3-4 days between shaves that a small hollow ground or extra hollow will tug just a little. not enough to be painful but enough to notice and my near or full wedge doesn't really notice it at all. I do use the same set up and prep with both razors. shower hot towel lather another hot towel and then lather and shave. same stropping for both razors. other than that I can't see or feel any difference. but then again I'm still a newbie to the one blade.

Moved this to the General Razor/Shaving Related Discussion Forum where it will be better viewed.

Thanks to all of you for some really thoughtful and insightful answers.

Great stuff, great community,

- Totton

If a blade is shaving kind of rough the first few shaves that's usually due to either the media used in final finishing (.25 diamond is famous for their) or your honing wasn't complete.

Personally, I don't find razors change their character over time at all except of course for getting dull.

I think the hard part is for the new guy. Usually, no matter how well a razor can shave, the new person has difficulty until their technique improves. Typically, they find fault with the razor and after a razor is re-honed or they pick up another down the road, the shaves improve. A lot of times they remember the first razor as not a good one and move on. There is a lot of individual nuance here as we all have different feelings, different levels of skin sensitivity and and tactile abilities. Eventually though, it usually comes out in the wash. Some people like one type or grind of razor better than another, one type of soap better than another, strop and so on. Usually, with time and personal preference in consideration, most people settle on what works best for them on all fronts and come to enjoy this art form for all the fun and pleasure it provides.

Have fun.

Couldn't put it better if you tried. DEAD on.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lynn

I think the hard part is for the new guy. Usually, no matter how well a razor can shave, the new person has difficulty until their technique improves. Typically, they find fault with the razor and after a razor is re-honed or they pick up another down the road, the shaves improve. A lot of times they remember the first razor as not a good one and move on. There is a lot of individual nuance here as we all have different feelings, different levels of skin sensitivity and and tactile abilities. Eventually though, it usually comes out in the wash. Some people like one type or grind of razor better than another, one type of soap better than another, strop and so on. Usually, with time and personal preference in consideration, most people settle on what works best for them on all fronts and come to enjoy this art form for all the fun and pleasure it provides.

Have fun.

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