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

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.

A thought or two. If it has been a few years the old girl was probably due for a honing, even if you are just beard trimming. If you think about it DE blades are not sharpened they are coated to give them their edge. So it is not really the same thing, and I suspect that if you tried to get a straight razor that sharp the edge would likely not last that long because it is so thin. DE blades don't have a very long life either. A good sharp straight should be close though. As far as honing your own blade I have no idea why you would. For the cost of hones you could send it out for a very long time. There is a listing of pros in the classifieds section member services.

Originally Posted by RezDog

As far as honing your own blade I have no idea why you would. For the cost of hones you could send it out for a very long time. There is a listing of pros in the classifieds section member services.

I have been owning my own blade. I own a 4K 8K Norton Waterstone, a balsa strop coated with green and red chromium oxide and of course a leather strop. I have watched YouTube videos about honing techniques and I've read extensively on the subject, still I find that my technique is a little bit random and sometimes I get the impression my technique is either redundant or that I am not properly evaluating the blade.

I'm not sure I understand your comment. I didn't pay that much for my hone and I live in Canada; are you saying that professional honing is cheap enough that it's not even worth attempting to do it myself?

If nothing else, it would be worth sending it out for a pro hone just to compare to a DE. From there you could maintain the edge for a long time with the hones and strops you already have.

Anyone in Montreal that could help? I'd really like someone to help me with my technique if that's possible.

Most honing services I've seen are $15-$25, and unless you're lucky enough to have a local guy, the shipping will be extra. A Norton 4/8k is about $90-$110, so after honing (properly) about 5 times, you start "making" money. Of course, to keep it profitable, you need to resist the urge to keep buying more and more hones... But I know a few guys, including myself, that only have that one hone, and some CrOx paste (for now...)

Since you own the right sharpening tools, I would encourage you to continue learning how to hone and maintain your razor. There is quite a learning curve for most. Feel free to give Lynn or Glen (or someone in your area ) a call. It's possible you need to reset the bevel with your 4K and continue through the progression.
Have you tested for sharpness, TNT or HHT?

Originally Posted by MTLian

I have been owning my own blade. I own a 4K 8K Norton Waterstone, a balsa strop coated with green and red chromium oxide and of course a leather strop. I have watched YouTube videos about honing techniques and I've read extensively on the subject, still I find that my technique is a little bit random and sometimes I get the impression my technique is either redundant or that I am not properly evaluating the blade.

I'm not sure I understand your comment. I didn't pay that much for my hone and I live in Canada; are you saying that professional honing is cheap enough that it's not even worth attempting to do it myself?

The fact that you already own hones does change thing a little. That you live in Canada is not in your profile and you can get a razor professionally honed in Canada. Depending as to where you are as to who is closest to send it to. If the only pro edge that you have shaved with was years ago it might be time to treat yourself to one. If for no other reason than it makes for a great benchmark, as Grazor has mentioned. Professional honing is quite inexpensive. Postage and the cost of honing is quite reasonable. There are several guys in Canada that do very nice work.

While distracted and responding there were a few more that popped up. Yes there is a guy here on the forum that is in Montreal that both hones and teaches. PM Badgister. He is a good guy and will set you up.

I certainly don't understand it but I think I know of what you speak. A lot of what we discuss in these fourm is kind of theoretical bunk. So here is my theoretical bunk. Lol
One thing we don't talk about much on these forms is blade thickness. Some straight razor blades are thicker than others. Thin blades have a sharper feel, at least to me (be aware the even extra hollow grinds vary in blade thicknes, so grind isn't the whole story).
That being
said, a thin blade though it may slice through wiry/heavy whiskers with ease, it may very well seam more harsh.
The real art is tuning everything to your beard and face.
Try a shavette and you can use different DE blades and the shave really changes (some blades are thicker, some thinner).