Thread: Are shavers like wine drinkers?

I've honed and tested 300+ with the last 200+ being confident in my technique I can say not all razors are equal. I use the same finishing process for all of them unless I'm experimenting and even among the same brand they can be different. Among the best have been a Morley, Boker Red Injun, A new Ralph Aust, a 1870's Wade and Butcher and a Genco and I've honed many more of same razors. Some are just better than others at feeling good and taking an edge.

Originally Posted by 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?

Diamond finish is considered harsh by some and not so by others. Typically there are three types of pastes/sprays that folks use; CrO, diamond, CBN. All work well for someone.
Great that you are getting good shaves from YOUR particular ZY razor.

OP,

*my* 2 cents:

There's just not enough "there" there. It's not enough to compare a coticule edge and a .5 diamond edge (the difference, say, between about 8k and 30k), and say that because you enjoyed one of them, people on an online forum--there is a high probability you have never met any of them, a good probability you never met any—must therefore be, forgive the term, "snobs." First, and this is important—it sounds like you're going off feelings here. I can relate. I remember hht between lapping film and a coticule and feeling resentful at what I thought were purists on this here dandy of a forum. I swear it's like a right of passage. But I never read every single post of the "offender" in question, so I didn't have much basis for objectively justifying any of these feelings. Just like, well, jot down your shaving expenses of the last year—not really much in the way of justifying the purchases. You like to shave! I get it. We get it. And you're all right by us, believe me.

Anyway, some strong correlations, but not enough causation here. In fact, some people would probably agree with your findings, just less articulate as you might say. If you posted this on the *other* forum, I'm pretty sure some would be offended. I like Straight Razor Place because we're dedicated to helping you—not helping you ... understand an obsession with fashion statements in your honing den. We tell guys to grab a norton 4/8, not because it's so amazing (it is, that's besides the point) but because you can deliver upon yourself a darn good edge, sometimes worth writing home about.


If you choose to purchase the "snob rocks," that is your affair and your decision. No one put a gun to your head and told you coticules were the way of the dao. Something, someone, or ____ gave you that impression, and it's now here to be reconciled.

Remember, people will think you're a shaving wine-o too if you invite them over, they use your bathroom only to find a week's worth of shaving brushes, more than one straight razor, hones, and strops. We tell ourselves we're being minimal—minimal for the modern gent is an overused Fusion ProGlide and a can of Barbosol. It's all relative.

Techniques are also a YUGE (sorry, couldn't help it) variance not accounted for. If your shaving angle is low for example, a .5 diamond edge will go much better than a coticule edge. Maybe your lather is so thick a sharper edge is needed; maybe your stropping is so poor only a .5 diamond edge can withstand it. Who knows. You may find about a year from now coticules are quite comfortable, but not necessarily the best. You might find yourself, usually at the inspiration of someone's else success with shaving with a coticule edge, to partake in another "coti experiment" that becomes a turning point in your shaving career. Happened to me. Happened to a lot, I think.

Another factor to consider: how do you know it was professionally honed? What--because you bought it from somewhere? That the "honer" has sold his honed edges before? How do you know the "professional" honer didn't delegate his business practices to a paid employee?

Yet Another factor to consider: how do you know MY or ANYONE's definition of harsh is the same as any others? Want a really fun read? Look up Glen's "Shave with the Bevel" challenge.

Any way you want to cut it, Shaving is entirely a subjective affair of passion. We're privately resurrecting a practice not predominant since the last century. I myself, always wondered if veterans shaving with King Gillete's new invention were a little resentful they didn't have the time to shave with a straight when everyone else might have been singing praises about a quick, good shave.

I'm terribly sorry. Law School is turning me into a nightmare.

Well I did say "new" so that would preclude it from being a "Wade & Butcher with a worn to hell spine". The reason I did not state the maker/vendor is because I like the razor and I don't want to give anyone the impression that I think it is a poor razor/vendor.

Good point that the cartridge dude would think I am a razor snob myself.

i am perfectly happy with the shave i get off my 8kSS. can't feel any difference using CRox or any other paste i have tried. would i like to try a finisher? sure i would, but i'm not convinced i would feel the difference enough to make it worth the money.(that's why i'm holding out for a antique store $20 dollar Thuri).

The fact is, most folks who shave with a straight in this world have a basic vintage razor and maintain it with a basic stone and that is the way it has always been.

Over here we are the outliers with all the fancy this and fancy that and the quest for the ultimate edge using the ultimate gear.

I don't think anyone here has ever said you couldn't get an outstanding shave with the most basic of gear.

You just have to know how to use what you have.

Originally Posted by tintin

(that's why i'm holding out for a antique store $20 dollar Thuri).

You & me both my friend. I think the MOST I've spent on a Finishing hone was my purchase of the Guangxi hone, at $30 including shipping. I spent about $30 apiece on my Welsh slates, and less for my Translucent and Black Arkies considering they came with a lapping plate. I would love to be one of the lucky SOBs to find a $5 thuri/escher/coticule to play with. Maybe one day if I keep my eyes open and an ear to the ground.

I got a Thuri for 50 cents at an antique store once. They are out there

Originally Posted by tintin

i am perfectly happy with the shave i get off my 8kSS. can't feel any difference using CRox or any other paste i have tried. would i like to try a finisher? sure i would, but i'm not convinced i would feel the difference enough to make it worth the money.(that's why i'm holding out for a antique store $20 dollar Thuri).

Like everything else your shaving will evolve. As you gain experience you will form different opinions on razors, hones, strops and technique. Everything, every minute of everyday things change. It is what keeps our interest in such things. We would have nothing to talk about if we used the same razor to shave with everyday. This is a hobby for most of us not just simply getting a good shave.

Originally Posted by rodb

I got a Thuri for 50 cents at an antique store once. They are out there

Thats about what I paid for all of mine, including a labeled one, although I can't read the label, it should be an esher.