Thread: How sharp is sharp?

I've been getting a great edge off my Norton 8k and the best shaves in my shaving career. I mean these shaves are usually two pass efforts with little touch up that last until well after I get home from work. Even the wife is impressed.

My question is how much sharper can a razor get? I've been thinking about getting a 12k but how much better will the edge be? How much better will the shave be?

It all depends on who hones the razor.
I can get good shaves just like you & even a few Great shaves, the past year.

But,,,,,

There are members here who take the edge to a higher level,,, they put in the time studying the hones & how particular razors respond to the hone. They test & push different ideas for success or failure.

IMO,, it's not that you need that 12K, but will you put the time into learning the hone with the razors you have.

If your getting good shaves off the 8K,,, then I suspect you will see a slightly better edge from the start with the 12K,,, then the question, "Was it the 12K or are you good at honing?"

If your edges are good at 8K,, then your a good honer.

You know, I must be messed up in the head, or at least I think I am. However, as I read through all of these posts, I have to ask myself a few basic questions. "Am I satisfied with my razors performance, sharpness, my techniques, my abilities to hone my own razors (instead of relying on someone else), and am I getting a good smooth shave without butchering my face? I can say yes to all of these things.
I use a 1K / 6K set of water stones and a leather strop (Linen and leather) to sharpen my razors and maintain them. I am content!

So here's my question - Why or what else is there to consider? Told you I was messed up.....

Originally Posted by Johntoad57

You know, I must be messed up in the head, or at least I think I am. However, as I read through all of these posts, I have to ask myself a few basic questions. "Am I satisfied with my razors performance, sharpness, my techniques, my abilities to hone my own razors (instead of relying on someone else), and am I getting a good smooth shave without butchering my face? I can say yes to all of these things.
I use a 1K / 6K set of water stones and a leather strop (Linen and leather) to sharpen my razors and maintain them. I am content!

So here's my question - Why or what else is there to consider? Told you I was messed up.....

Welcome to Alice's Rabbit hole.

Originally Posted by cudarunner

Welcome to Alice's Rabbit hole.

It must be the agent orange...

Originally Posted by Johntoad57

It must be the agent orange...

You will find that 99.99% of EVERYTHING about straight razors is Personal Preference. If you are happy with your shaves with what you are using that's all that matters.

However there will be others who will insist that you would be better off using this or that hone.

IF you want to try 'their' better way (hones), it's your choice. However I for one think that your doing fine.

Originally Posted by Johntoad57

You know, I must be messed up in the head, or at least I think I am. However, as I read through all of these posts, I have to ask myself a few basic questions. "Am I satisfied with my razors performance, sharpness, my techniques, my abilities to hone my own razors (instead of relying on someone else), and am I getting a good smooth shave without butchering my face? I can say yes to all of these things.
I use a 1K / 6K set of water stones and a leather strop (Linen and leather) to sharpen my razors and maintain them. I am content!

So here's my question - Why or what else is there to consider? Told you I was messed up.....

I've read that 8K is entry level for a comfortable shaving experience. I've also seen a thread regarding a 1K challenge. Been meaning to try it myself, but the general concensus was you'd be surprised how good a shave you can get off a 1K hone. Seems like it all cycles back to this:

"No amount of money spent on a Stone can ever replace the value of the time it takes learning to use it properly"
Very Respectfully - Glen

To answer your question - I can get a close/clean/comfortable shave off my 8K hone. But the edge off a synthetic feels more crisp, and seems to more readily give razor burn. This can easily be circumvented by adjusting the pressure I shave with, but it is noticeably less forgiving. This could be my imagination (or questionable technique), who knows. Taking it beyond 8k with a good natural somehow takes that crispness off it and softens the shave, making the blade more forgiving while maintaining (or even improving) it's ability to cut through hair.

I've also noticed that the 'bite' is eventually removed with proper stropping. Eventually either way will feel the same, until the edge starts to tug and the blade goes back to the hones. So it isn't to say that one way is better than the other. Just different. And as Cuda said, all up to personal preference.

Originally Posted by Johntoad57

You know, I must be messed up in the head, or at least I think I am. However, as I read through all of these posts, I have to ask myself a few basic questions. "Am I satisfied with my razors performance, sharpness, my techniques, my abilities to hone my own razors (instead of relying on someone else), and am I getting a good smooth shave without butchering my face? I can say yes to all of these things.
I use a 1K / 6K set of water stones and a leather strop (Linen and leather) to sharpen my razors and maintain them. I am content!

So here's my question - Why or what else is there to consider? Told you I was messed up.....

My question would be have you ever shaved off a razor done by one of these "real hone guys"? If your satisfied with a 6 k edge I would propose you try it, cause till you know what your missing you won't know and a 6k edge is well,,,,, , or just shave off the edge you have, no worries.

But like most of us we thought we were getting Good edges till we learned otherwise. Tc

Well Ill put simply. I loved my 8k edges until I met my 12K and Loved the 12k until I met my 20k. Yes they all cut hair off my face but the comfort and ease that higher grit provides is just better. I would not go back to an 8k shave for any reason other than necessity. Am I spoiled ? You bet, but that's why I do this not for necessity but for luxury.

Originally Posted by tcrideshd

My question would be have you ever shaved off a razor done by one of these "real hone guys"? If your satisfied with a 6 k edge I would propose you try it, cause till you know what your missing you won't know and a 6k edge is well,,,,, , or just shave off the edge you have, no worries.

But like most of us we thought we were getting Good edges till we learned otherwise. Tc

Hey TC - You're probably right. However, I won't ever miss something that I've never had. I'll just have to be content and satisfied with what I currently have. It works for me. My Grandfather used to give me hell for wanting a second pair of shoes growing up. His philosophy was you only have two feet therefore you could only wear one pair of shoes at a time and didn't need a second pair of shoes.
It took me 30 years to overcome that (I have probably 20 pairs now). My point - In time I will probably get my razors honed professionally. Since I'm just a rookie, I need some time to adapt. But I do appreciate your input as always!