Thread: Getting a straight as Sharp as an DE blade?

answering your question...
Yes it can be done. I can get my straights as sharp as nearly any DE blade I have tried. This is shaving with a Shavette and DEs. However, the edge doesn't last and needs to be refreshed and that level of sharp doesn't last forever. My Polisilvers might be better than my best straight edges but it would be a close comparison. I don't ALWAYS get DE sharp with every straight after every honing, but it does happen.

Are you looking at the edge with magnification?

It does sound like you are not fully setting the bevel.

Once you set the bevel and polish, it is not uncommon to chip the edge by stropping with too much pressure, again simply looking straight down at the edge, any shiny reflections are chips or bevels not meeting.

Most of novice honing issues are from unset bevels or too much pressure stropping.

Dude just keep practicing with your Norton. I sent one blade for a pro hone and I am trying to copy the results. Failures > Success at the moment but you learn something every time you sit down and hone. Sometimes I want to pull my hair out instead of shaving it but then I remember that when I do "get it right" the joy of accomplishment will outweigh all the despair of not "getting it right" If you have the tool, the time and the patience a good edge will come. (At least that's what I keep telling myself!)

J

Originally Posted by Euclid440

Are you looking at the edge with magnification?

It does sound like you are not fully setting the bevel.

Once you set the bevel and polish, it is not uncommon to chip the edge by stropping with too much pressure, again simply looking straight down at the edge, any shiny reflections are chips or bevels not meeting.

Most of novice honing issues are from unset bevels or too much pressure stropping.

How would i magnify? With a magnifying glass? Ill try and post pictures. Thanks for the suggestions and testimonials.

Originally Posted by MTLian

Hello,

a few years ago, I bought a straight razor sight unseen from Larry Andro from Whipped dog razors and supplies. I've been shaving with it and we've had our ups and downs and I find it difficult to maintain a good edge. I don't know the brand name but it is a vintage 5/8 semi hollow with a barber's notch on the toe and I like it for maintaining a beard.

So so the scales got cracked and while I was waiting for new scales to come in I decided to try a DE style safety razor with a wilkinson sword blade and I was blown away with the sharpness. I was wondering if you guys get your straights that sharp. Is it even conceivable? Could a full hollow blade achieve a sharpness that is closer to a DE blade?

Id also like tips on my technique for honing but first I'd like to know if it's normal or not that a disposable DE blade would be considerably sharper than a well maintained straight.

I bought this 2nd hand parachute & I could never get it to work a well as the new one that didnt have all the holes in it.

The answer to your DE vs straight sharpness question is definitely, maybe. Depends on the razor & depends on who's honing it.

Tim Zowada shows a picture of a new feather blade on his site. I don't think it's realistic for anyone to ever assume that they will get a similar edge on a straight, or that the straight would be able to hold it at that level of fineness.

I also think that if you could get a straight to be that sharp and stay that sharp for a couple of shaves, you'd have the same effect that the feather users describe, which is a blade that is nicer to use after several shaves than it is when it's new.

For the same reason, I don't use the sub 0.1 micron iron oxide powder, even though the concept is novel and it certainly makes my straight razor blindingly sharp. Every single anomaly on my skin is cut off resulting in a weeper farm.

Glen's discussion has a lot of practical merit, in the range of sharpness between acceptable and best usually has a comfortable spot for everyone, albeit at a different place for each person, maybe.

I guess what I'm getting at is figure it out independent of the DE. You should have no pulling, and if you're like me, a level of sharpness below weeper farm sharpness. I hate a dull razor, and I hate a razor where I have to take 5 deep breaths and think of all of the things that I have to do to avoid being weepered.

Someone went through the diligence of getting those pictures in our library here:

Edges produced by various hones - Straight Razor Place Library

Take a very close look at the very edge of the feather blade. See nothing (I see nothing). "more nothing" than you see on any straight blade. Or maybe it's less nothing. Whatever it is, it's initial sharpness will be higher and the edge is as near perfectly straight as probably any mass produced metal item in this world. That is a transient sharpness, too, so shooting for it is going to give you something that is that...very transient.

In the middle of the range that glen talks about is an edge condition that is achievable, maintainable and not transient. Meaning every shave feels the same every day. And martha stewart would call that...a very good thing.

Originally Posted by DaveW

Tim Zowada shows a picture of a new feather blade on his site. I don't think it's realistic for anyone to ever assume that they will get a similar edge on a straight, or that the straight would be able to hold it at that level of fineness.

I think you're forgetting that DE's sharpness is finally achieved thru coatings etc, thus the transient nature.

A well honed razor on the other hand is easily maintained with the strop whether it is honed to feather sharpness or whatever the user preference is.

Is no way on gods green earth that anyone can get straight as sharp as the best DE blades.

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Is no way on gods green earth that anyone can get straight as sharp as the best DE blades.

Please explain why you believe this ?