How to get my straights as sharp as a Feather AC?

Hi all,

I posted this over at B&B but I though I better ask here as well.

Last night my Feather AC arrived so I loaded it up this morning for a try.

WOW!!!! http://badgerandblade.com/vb/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

For the first time a str8 shave felt like the most comfortable DE shave, just wiping the lather off... no pulling at all, no scraping, NO discomfort!!! It might even have been more comfortable as I had much more control over blade angle. Just a fantastic out-of-this-world shave!! http://badgerandblade.com/vb/images/...s/thumbup1.gif

I have two other straights that I have been shaving with for about 2 months. One is a 5/8 Imperial, the other a new T.I. 5/8 Super Gnome. The Imperial came shave ready from a member here, I honed the T.I. myself. Both are about equal in comfort, the T.I. is bit bit smoother. I had a Revisor that I sent to Lynn for honing but it (the razor, NOT the hone job) was not as smooth on my face as my other two so I sold it. It was a 6/8 full hollow and just too flexible and "springy" for my face. I have a T.I. P.T.L.E on the way as well.

I would just shave with the Feather but it really doesn't have any soul or character. I also don't like being beholden to a blade manufacturer. You also loose all the tradition and ritual of using a straight, no honing, no stropping, no history to the blade... http://badgerandblade.com/vb/images/smilies/frown.gif

So the big question is: How can I get my straights to shave like a Feather? What is it that makes the feather so smooth? Is is sharpness? Blade/edge geometry? Blade coatings? Is it even possible to get a regular straight to this level?

My honing equipment consists of a complete set of Spyderco hones, a hand american base, one leather plate for it loaded with CrO, one glass plate for it with nothing on it yet(I was planning on trying some of the 3M micro abrasive papers on it) and a nice hanging strop from Tony. I also have a bunch of Japanese water stones that I have used for years on my woodworking tools but they are all fairly low grit.

Any ideas about what I can do to get my straights to this level? I'm open to all suggestions!!

Thanks,
Joe

Wow! You have all the right toys for honing. One thing I found is that ultra honing is more of an art then a recipe. There is a lot "feel" that needs to develop and it usually does not happen over night. But it needs to start with a razor that will take and hold an edge that fine. Brand and price is not a guarantee that a blade will take it. I have one $60.00 razor that is a 9++ shaver and one TI Stamina that is 3 shaver. Give a go.

Ken-Where can I get this $60 razor?

How to hone like a Feather: http://www.shavemyface.com/forum/vie...lapping+stones


Regards

Christian

If you find anyone that can do that consistently with a variety of razors then let us know. I have been able to get razors much to sharp but since I do not like that level of sharpness I have not tried to do it consistently. The right side of my face is bumpy and hypersensitive so I opt for a smoother, more comfortable shave.

I'll have to add that my Feather ACD-N (Japanese style str8) has never given me as close a shave as one of my top str8s, with either the Pro or Super Pro blades. I always stubble out sooner with one of the Feather blades than my traditional str8s.

Wayne