Are shavers like wine drinkers?

[Brent375HH]

When I (rarely) drink wine, I don’t understand what peopleare talking about with terms like “mouth feel”. They say I don’t have a trainedpallet. I also don’t understand a harsh razor edge, I must not have a trainedface.
The last three days Ihave shaved with a new, highly regarded razor that was professionally finished on a yellow coticule.Today I shaved with a ZY on a $20 10K stone finished with .5 micron diamondpaste rubbed into a vinyl strop with the strop laying on the kitchen counter.From what I read, this should have been a “harsh” shave. Nothing could befurther from the truth for me. It was a very easy, smooth, irritation freeshave. It was every bit as good, probably better, than the edge honed by a proon a fancy rock.
Is it just possible that a person does not have to spend alot of money on either razor or stone to get a great shave, or like wine, am Ijust too much of a cur to realize what nuance I am missing?

[Utopian]

If it works for you, then that's all that matters.

[Brent375HH]

The one high quality item I have is a SRD 3" natural strop with premium fabric. That is a very nice daily strop and very much seems to help provide a smooth shaving edge. I will always think this was money well spent.

[FAL]

Well Brother "Some" might say that, but most MEN here are in the same boat as you, we all get to learn about the fine side of shaving and scents. I like the scents because I like Women and they like a good smelling man even though mine is fine with the way I smell after working hard all day.
Be Happy that you get acceptable shaves from your honing/maintenance, I am happy with mine but still want an GOK 20K stone.
The wealthy have a heavy DENIAL that lets them think they are More Refined than others, that is BS in my Opinion.

[Marshal]

Every tongue is different. So too is every face. Some are more sensitive than others and will feel the difference. Others maybe not so much.

Then there are the other variables. 2 different razors, different hones, and different hands working them.

There are more than a few people here that can put a better edge on a razor with my $30 Chinese rock than I could with any coticule, thuringian, or suehiro 20k.

YMMV.

[tcrideshd]

I'm confused, you should have had a harsh shave? Why is that? .5 diamond is a decent strop medium, and stropped out nice on leather will give a good shave. As to the cheap razor, they will shave, as to the edge staying nuce that may be the whole problem along with quality fit and finish, but shave, hey in the scheme of things some guys can shave with a 4K edge, but I kinda like my experience to be a great one all the time. It works for you that's all that matters. Tc. (P.s. Just don't tell me it's what works for me).

[JTmke]

There are harsh shavers. You say yourself the one razor is better:smoother than the other. Magnify that difference and you will know harsh and smooth.

[criswilson10]

I find the .5 diamond too harsh for my face, but I have a friend who loves it.
If it works for you, then do it.
So as always, YMMV.

[Brent375HH]

I'm confused, you should have had a harsh shave? Why is that? .5 diamond is a decent strop medium, and stropped out nice on leather will give a good shave. As to the cheap razor, they will shave, as to the edge staying nuce that may be the whole problem along with quality fit and finish, but shave, hey in the scheme of things some guys can shave with a 4K edge, but I kinda like my experience to be a great one all the time. It works for you that's all that matters. Tc. (P.s. Just don't tell me it's what works for me).

I have seen several references that diamond paste is too harsh and that a person needs chrome oxide. Since I already bought the diamond, I just keep using it. Maybe I will find chrome oxide better when I run out of the diamond paste. The reason I bought the .5 micron is that I read that the .25 diamond paste will give you too harsh of a shave.

[gssixgun]

I have seen several references that diamond paste is too harsh and that a person needs chrome oxide. Since I already bought the diamond, I just keep using it. Maybe I will find chrome oxide better when I run out of the diamond paste. The reason I bought the .5 micron is that I read that the .25 diamond paste will give you too harsh of a shave.

People tend to make statements based on limited variables (read Experience) ..


You yourself are guilty of this right here in this thread

You are making an assumption on performance with near zero experience and only two razors...
One of which you don't even name "Highly Regarded" ( By whom) for all we know this is a Wade & Butcher with a worn to hell spine and honed at 12° with a fragile edge...

Even the Diamonds,,,, was the statement made about paste or sprays,,, used on Felt, Leather, Balsa ???? see all this makes a difference.. What was the Caret content of the Diamond ??? is there a noticeable difference between them ???

Same as the wine analogy the more and varied you become in your tasting the more subtleties you will learn to find


Does that put it in perspective for you ???



Edit:

Just to be clear and to make sure you don't think I am being a Razor/Hone snob

Give me a few decent razors, just about any "finisher" you want to name, and a solid combination Linen/Leather hanging strop and I will get a lifetime of perfectly comfortable shaves without any real issues...

This is all about how far you want to take the hobby/chore of shaving