Thread: shave test after honing by newer shaver?

Well I am about 3 months into str8 shaving and a little less into honing. My shaving technique is progressing and my honing seems to be also. My question is, if the ultimate test of a honed blade is the shave test and your shaving skills are not yet GREAT, how do you really know if the blade is honed to it's max or if the shave test is all that it could be ? Does that make sense?

Mark

There is no substitute for experience and the only way to get it is to practice. As you continue to practice you will progress and both the honing and the shave will get better IME.

Go back to the basics, just like when you learned to shave wiht a straight. Just shave the sideburns. What I do is use the newly honed (or, to be accurate, the hopefully slightly sharper non-shave ready razor) razor for the sideburn - down area, except I use it for all three passes. Any discomfort, pulling, or signs it's not ready, i stop. If that area is as smooth as it can get with other razors, then I'm as happy as I can get (yet) with the honing.

Good luck. I'm only slightly more into honing, and it's coming along (slowly).

That's a tuff one actually, I mean a smooth shave is the real test by all means but I see what yer saying....

Here is my test for blades I hone... Maybe it will help, maybe not..

I use only one soap for every test shave, (Honey Bee Spas Old Spice) no slick Überlathers...
I don't do my normal prep in fact I am trying to get the edge to fail the test, so I just splash hot water on my face and then just lather...
I start with an ATG stroke on my neck the most sensitive spot on my face..
If the edge pulls, even the slightest bit, it fails... if it smoothly slices nice then I continue...

This is the test I have come up with for my edges that works for me.... You need to figure one out that works for you....

Originally Posted by gssixgun

I don't do my normal prep in fact I am trying to get the edge to fail the test, so I just splash hot water on my face and then just lather...
I start with an ATG stroke on my neck the most sensitive spot on my face..
If the edge pulls, even the slightest bit, it fails... if it smoothly slices nice then I continue...

I would 1) never ever have a shave ready razor and 2) likely bleed to death if this was my standard and my test.

I guess you've probably honed a couple more razors than I have.

For a guy who's relatively new to shaving and honing, I would suggest that you do a shave test comparison with a blade that has been honed by a skilled honer and the blade you have honed yourself. While it will not be fail-safe, you could look for comparable shaves between the two blades as a sign that your blade is indeed shave ready.

IMHO, after three months you should have the shaving part pretty well down pat.

Originally Posted by fccexpert

IMHO, after three months you should have the shaving part pretty well down pat.

Interesting comment. I have read various places that some folks take up to a year to get really good shaves consistantly with a straight. Maybe my problem is I'm OLD, but what the heck. Oh, I would be interested in knowing what you consider "pretty well down pat". Maybe I am there and don't know it.

Thanks to all for your replies to this question.

Mark

A great question and one I have wondered at for a while now. Maybe the "left arm" test?

I think I in the same position.. I just go ahead and shave with the honed razor...
I alwas start with the cheeks and side burns and if I feel any pulling or tugging as I get closer to my chin its a big sign the razor isnt ready.. I threaten the razor that it will be replaced by the shavette..

If its good I just continue for the XTG pass. again at any sign of pulling tuggin or skipping over the whiskers I will not take it to ATG and finish off with another razor or the shavette.

+1 on having a reference but if you shaved with an almost shaveready razor you will know how that feels.. sometimes not with the grain but taking a not sharp enough razor agains the grain is a feeling I wont forget... No refference needed for that

Maarten