Thread: Does it get this sharp?

The edge would not be as thin/fragile.

Originally Posted by souschefdude

The edge would not be as thin/fragile.

So would that mean that a stronger edge would then hypothetically mow though stubble more effectively than a thinner, more fragile edge, particularly in a full or 3/4 hollow profile?

The Straight Razor Phenomena:

The newer a person is to this hobby,

The tougher their beard is
The duller their blade is
The weaker their edge is
The floppier their brush is
The harder their water is
The more cupped their strop is
Heck even their Aftershave stings more..

It always amazes me how these thing all seem to get better with time

Originally Posted by RMarsh

So would that mean that a stronger edge would then hypothetically mow though stubble more effectively than a thinner, more fragile edge, particularly in a full or 3/4 hollow profile?

More effectively? Do you mean for those of us without redwood trees for stubble?
I have used a variety of grinds, sizes, thicknesses. A well honed edge is gonna mow through just about any beard/stubble. A thicker blades edge, more acute angle, will have less flex, less give, when confronted by thicker stubble. IMHO.

Here is my Tim Zowada 2H2H with the original edge that Tim honed:

By HHT probing, SEM imaging AND shaving performance, this edge was keener than a Feather blade.

Here is my mid-month-movember-moustache:


Here is the 2H2H blade after one use; however, that one use included the end of Movember moustache removal:
This edge is no longer as sharp as a feather blade, to say the least.

So, in my experience, even the toughest whiskers can be wiped off with a well honed blade. The edge may not last long, but it can be done.

Can I get one of those SEM on Amazon?

That is one great post. I have always wondered what my razor would look like after a shave or two.

Now to the point.

Originally Posted by fuzzychops

.....By HHT probing, SEM imaging AND shaving performance, this edge was keener than a Feather blade.

I always though that straights would be just as keen as any razor blade but, a straight does not have as thin a blade and the bevel is not coated. Which is why polishing the bevel is one of the real keys to a great straight shave.

This edge is no longer as sharp as a feather blade, to say the least.

So, in my experience, even the toughest whiskers can be wiped off with a well honed blade. The edge may not last long, but it can be done.

I submit that the straight will, in fact, cut any whisker but it will need greater force to accomplish the same result and the resulting pull will be greater. I would love to see what a Feather blade would look like after a shave.


Take Care,
Richard

Originally Posted by riooso

That is one great post. I have always wondered what my razor would look like after a shave or two.

Now to the point.



I always though that straights would be just as keen as any razor blade but, a straight does not have as thin a blade and the bevel is not coated. Which is why polishing the bevel is one of the real keys to a great straight shave.

I would think that only the first 50-100 microns or so of the bevel are of consequence; and a straight razor is thinner than a Feather blade to that point. A not so well know fact is that stropping coats the bevel with an oily organic residue not unlike razor blade coating.

Originally Posted by riooso

I submit that the straight will, in fact, cut any whisker but it will need greater force to accomplish the same result and the resulting pull will be greater. I would love to see what a Feather blade would look like after a shave.

Take Care,
Richard

The degradation of a Feather blade is not so easy to see, more blunting than crumbling.

Thanks for the insight. If your investigations lead you to other observations let us know!

Take Care,
R

I would love to see how well stropping repairs that edge...

Thanks for the great photos!

Tim Z.