Quote Originally Posted by StraightRazorDave View Post
Hey all,

So I'm getting proficient at honing using my 4k/8k norton. I do have plans on getting more stone, as well as higher grit ones, but as of now the 8000 is the highest I have. I have gotten a couple of old rusty ebay razors polished up and honed, and have shaved with them too. But they're not the smoothest shaves. The cheeks are fine, but the neck gets a little irritated. I know I have stupidly sensitive skin, but I can't help but wonder how much different it would be if I got that bevel polished up on something finer than a 8000..... Any thoughts? Thank you!

Dave

p.s. When I say I plan on getting more stones, I'm talking about the Shapton GlassStones

Ok Dave...if you are looking for someones blessing to buy a Shapton 16K consider yourself blessed!

Seriously though, without getting too deep into the mechanics there is sharp and there is smooth. If you have sensitive skin I would be aiming more for the smooth and if it's scary sharp too that's a bonus. To do that it's more common to use a natural with a little slurry at first to get the a bevel shape that's conducive to smoothness (while still being sharp) OR you can use the Shapton high grit stones and paste.

My hide is pretty tough but I find I need to tone down the edge off a 16K with about 20 laps on a Chromium Oxide pasted paddle otherwise it feels like I'm cutting the whiskers off BELOW skin level...and taking a considerable amount of skin off with them in the process.