Feel

I am starting to appreciate relying on feel in all aspects of shaving. I can now feel the razor on the hones and know when I am doing it right and when I am done. Same holds true with stropping and shaving. I was so caught up on sound, hanging hair and technique I forgot that when I do it right I can feel it. My shaves have gotten so much better. I have found the right stones, finishers and strop that work for me. I can repeat results on different razors and in the end get a smooth irritation free shave. I still experiment a lot but I can tell when its not working. I guess I am 1/10th home.

You have to be careful with the feel test because though it oftentimes works there are plenty of times it doesn't.

I used to be a real believer in feel being a certainty but I've come across enough razors where I would have sworn they were ready based on feel when in fact they were far from it.

I think your on to a good thing by trying to feel the feed back of your stone and the sound of the razor on it. I can't say whether or not you will always be successful but I bet you will learn something new. Good luck and keep it up ! :)

I think that the feel is a great thing to indicate to me that I need to have a look at my blade with a loupe, when I am honing. In other aspects all we have is feel. In shaving the feedback come through both our hands and out face, so shaving sort of doubles down so to speak.

I like feel and physical verification. Something just satisfies me in my animal brain when the both coincide perfectly.

JKat, you probably know by now that there are not many "Feelings" that can beat learning an art or skill on your own. Everybody here who Knows shaving and Honing, knows that sense of accomplishment, I enjoy when I see the lights come on for the new guys. Best regards.

The feel of a razor on the hone, taught me early on to watch the amount of pressure I used. At the time I was using a 10k Icebear hone to finish, which is very different in it's make up and 'feel' to the naniwa's and other ceramic hones. When things went quiet on the big old Icebear, I knew I was close.