Thread: Finding the perfect edge. Yeah right.

The perfect edge is one that the shaver finds perfect for their face. A comfortable close shave on a consistent basis! You don't need all these high end stones to achieve a perfect edge. However, to each his own. You get to choose your own satisfaction. Got to love it!

Originally Posted by Johntoad57

The perfect edge is one that the shaver finds perfect for their face. A comfortable close shave on a consistent basis! You don't need all these high end stones to achieve a perfect edge. However, to each his own. You get to choose your own satisfaction. Got to love it!

Yup, so true. I'd bet few would like to shave with the edge I like to use.

Bob

A good edge on a good razor off a 20k or a good natural is hard to pick. Both will shave close with little sensation & much comfort.
Using one stone to compensate for the other sometimes does the trick. I've done it many a time with success. Sometimes 3-5 strokes on a dry hard Jnat can fix an edge that's causing weepers. Lighter shaving pressure can do the same tho
With all stones it's a matter of knowing when to stop but if you're getting good shaves with no dramas I'd leave well enough alone

This is basically the eternal struggle for an even smoother/sharper/better edge.
Many of us has chased that with countless hours on different stones with different techniques and approaches of combinations.

It has been what I have enjoyed the most in recent years
Be it a razor, a kitchen knife or a folding knife.

I have bought most any stone out there including the Suehiro Gokumyo 10-15 and 20K.
I guess the OP's question can be answered in many ways, but with most my finishing stones, both natural or synthetic, I find they will all do the job and provide a wonderful shave, if I take the time to learn how to properly utilize them

That said, I do love my edges off of the 20K, and have yet to improve much on smoothness or sharpness on any other stone after that.

And as someone stated earlier in the thread, don't underestimate the good old stropping.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

A good edge on a good razor off a 20k or a good natural is hard to pick. Both will shave close with little sensation & much comfort.
Using one stone to compensate for the other sometimes does the trick. I've done it many a time with success. Sometimes 3-5 strokes on a dry hard Jnat can fix an edge that's causing weepers. Lighter shaving pressure can do the same tho
With all stones it's a matter of knowing when to stop but if you're getting good shaves with no dramas I'd leave well enough alone

This. Different edges require different shave technique. I can shave just as comfortably with a brand new Feather Pro or an edge finished on SG20K as with a razor honed on a JNat or Thuri. The only thing is technique has to be altered for the different edges. Angle increase or decrease, tiny bit of pressure against the face or none at all, slight scything or not, etc.

Originally Posted by eKretz

This. Different edges require different shave technique. I can shave just as comfortably with a brand new Feather Pro or an edge finished on SG20K as with a razor honed on a JNat or Thuri. The only thing is technique has to be altered for the different edges. Angle increase or decrease, tiny bit of pressure against the face or none at all, slight scything or not, etc.

Whether I finish on a natural or synthetic I dont need to change shaving angle or technique. Im not sure how it would make a difference.

Originally Posted by markbignosekelly

Whether I finish on a natural or synthetic I dont need to change shaving angle or technique. Im not sure how it would make a difference.

With someone fairly new it could make a big difference. Especially if attempting their first ATG pass, anything taller than flat to the face could be unpleasant.

But back to honing & at risk of repeating myself, With all stones it's a matter of knowing when to stop but if you're getting good shaves with no dramas I'd leave well enough alone.

Taking any "optimal", shave ready edge beyond shave ready with any stone, even for a few strokes can degrade the edge.
However as a rally driving mate once said to me, " If you don't run off the road now & then you don't know how fast you can corner"

Originally Posted by onimaru55

" If you don't run off the road now & then you don't know how fast you can corner"

True words.


Also, the more I'm chasing "the edge" the more I come to realize that once you got a fine shaving edge, technique is what truly matters then.

Get the best edge with crap technique and you'll be blaming your edge and chasing hones like no tomorrow.

Less is more, dial in on one razor or two razors (preferably similar ones to take out most variables), one or two finishing stones to your preference (I'm doing the Coti vs BBW thing atm) and perfect the shave by improving/adapting technique (scything ftw!).

All I learnt is that a) I prefer the Coticule edge for daily shaving, way sharp and way smooth, amazing skin feel afterwards and b) I really don't need a WTG pass, it's actually irritating my skin more than anything, ATG on the first pass gives me a smooth shave and I'm left with some good feelin' skin. My technique on the ATG works best for me in every regard.

After you've dialed in on your hones, you can start doing different things on them, if you want, I'm now testing to see if in my hands the edge trailing vs edge leading finishing stroke makes a difference. (Also trying oil, lather, running water, changes in pressure, etc.)