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

Originally Posted by MTLian

In that thread there is mention of slurry. I don't use a stone to create slurry. Is that the ingredient that might be lacking for getting a sharper razor at the Norton stone step?

Slurry is an added variable, I would stay away from adding variables until you start getting consistant results

I would drop the Pasted Strops, and concentrate on the Hone and learning it alone first, once you start getting good results then start adding one variable at a time and note the difference..

Often the problem with the Norton 4/8 is the 4k side of the stone it really has to be lapped smooth or you will be spinning you wheels

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Slurry is an added variable, I would stay away from adding variables until you start getting consistant results

I would drop the Pasted Strops, and concentrate on the Hone and learning it alone first, once you start getting good results then start adding one variable at a time and note the difference..

Often the problem with the Norton 4/8 is the 4k side of the stone it really has to be lapped smooth or you will be spinning you wheels

I have indeed lapped my Norton stone when I bought it and lapped it again on 400 grit sand paper again before honing for good measure. I like your suggestion but I think I would have to acquire another razor first because right now I know that I can't get a good enough edge to shave comfortably. I don't want to go scraping the heck out of my face for some educational purpose. I can't see myself choosing not to use my balsa strop when I know a very sharp edge is easily attainable.

That being said, it is sharp but not as sharp as the DE that I tried. Again there is the variable of blade angle but that DE gave me a perfect close up shave in one pass with no against the grain second pass needed. The more I talk about it the more it makes me want to just switch to DEs altogether! I enjoy the big blade and artistry of the straight but if only I could get closer to the extreme sharpness I got from a fresh DE blade...

At least you are being honest with yourself

SR shaving is an investment in time, it really is, and if you are not willing to make that investment then yes a DE or even a Shavette style razor might be the path for you...

The Feather style SR's are awesome shavers and zero maintenance...

Originally Posted by gssixgun

At least you are being honest with yourself

SR shaving is an investment in time, it really is, and if you are not willing to make that investment then yes a DE or even a Shavette style razor might be the path for you...

The Feather style SR's are awesome shavers and zero maintenance...

But they work with an injection blade system right?

Originally Posted by MTLian

But they work with an injection blade system right?

Actually, it's not a question of time but a question of comfort. I use a straight because I can achieve a better shave with less irritation and less time than a multi blade system. It is also better for the environment and cost effective.

I just can't see myself intentionally shaving with a dull razor and I know my technique isn't good enough yet to shave right off a Norton stone. I mean, I could spend all afternoon going back and forth on my 4k stone, I don't feel the blade getting sharper. I just think that I am not setting a proper bevel. The first time I tried honing I wore the spine so it's not like I'm not patient or not willing to sit there scraping away for an hour but on hour or 10 hours of not getting a blade sharp isn't acheiving much. I swear I've watched Lynn's video 2 or three times and I'm trying to replicate his movements exactly but I get pocket knife sharp.

I never get tired of reading these threads about comparative sharpness - and I usually always make the same point. Once the bevel has been set properly and meets along the whole edge, is it possible for the blade to be any sharper? The fact that your DE blade feels sharper is, to my mind, simply that it is a thinner piece of steel behind the bevel.

Obviously, an experienced honer can finesse an edge so that it cuts better than an inexerienced honer can achieve - but I think Glen's point about shaving from a 1k hone is basically making the same point about a razor being sharp when the bevels meet.

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.