Quote Originally Posted by Justme- View Post
Has anyone examined a commercial DE blade under an electron microscope for comparison- they are sharper by comparison to a straight or a Feather Razor blade which is also so much sharper to see what pattern they have? Physics and metallurgy will dictate the smallest edge that can be created and stand up to the task of shaving, so if we rule out a difference in the metallurgy from older technology to newer technology (which I believe we can since there are currently manufacturers still making straights) the difference must be in the sharpening process.
Neither a DE commercial blade or a feather blade should be sharper than a straight razor. They are sharpened differently, and with coarser grits than many of us here use on our straights, so they may be sharper than some straights from the factory, but not those in the hands of "pros".

And as far as metallurgy goes for making the edge as thin as possible, you are partially correct. For the most part, the quality of the steel is consistent throughout the time periods we deal with, though there are some regions that made better steels at certain points than others. There could also be some fluctuation in the degree of hardening of a given razor with respect to another, which would mean that a variable degree of sharpness is possible for different razors. But that variance wouldn't be a function of the time that the item were made, it would depend on the manufacturer, and the quality of workmanship by the craftsmen involved.

So, yes, a big difference is in the sharpening technique and to what final grit level you take the edge. But another part of it is almost a gamble, between getting an outstanding specimen and an average one, that is dictated by sundry external, indeterminable factors.

I do agree that the x pattern aids in maintaining even wear on uneven blades. But it also could be lessening the amount of pulling caused by the teeth created, as I mentioned somewhere above, thus actually providing a "smoother" edge for a given grit level... enter diminishing returns argument... enter personal preference... etc.

Great perspective on the friction reduction aspect, btw.