Thread: Smooth vs. sharp

Hey all,

Last night I shaved with a razor that was super sharp, it cut through the hair with no resistance what-so-ever with no pressure applied, but I found it to be a little harsh on my skin afterwards. It was finished on my yellow/green thuringian btw, no pastes. Tonight I thought I would try an experiment and gave it several laps on my coticule with just water. Well tonight's shave was awesome! Still a great cutter, but a smoooooth shave. When I applied the alum I was suprised that it didn't sting at all! Still got a close shave but it was gentle on my skin.

So it seems that my skin much prefers the edge off the coticule (at least with this razor). To be honest it didn't cut QUITE as well as when I finished off with a few laps on the thuringian, but it was still shaving great. I guess my skin is sensitive to an edge that's too sharp. There really does seem to be a balance between sharpness and smoothness, and it's definitely a personal preferrence.

Just thought I would share my experience with all of you!

I hear you. Although I have never been personally discomforted by super sharp edges, such blades do need frequent tending. I also find that if I back off just a bit before getting the razor to that place just before the burrs start to form, I have an edge that can stand up a little more.

X

I have had that experiance with my new bismark shave but felt harsh even after belgiums but my other 15 razors were perfectly smooth i used ch.5 and it it was was worse i just kept repeating process bbw coti. i got my self a ch 12k did 100 passes on that and realy smooth now still don't no if ch12k sorted it but for the 14 pounds realy good hone. i also reckon i reset bevel and over did it this is why it could of been sharp but weak and harsh may be natural hones worked away the burr eventualy

I've also noticed this too. Especially if I finish an edge on some newspaper for example. It usually gives me a super sharp edge but also leads to more irritation. We all have different technique, skin type and razors so no one solution works for everyone.

Yep, I have trouble finding that balance sometimes. I go back and forth until I hit it.

Jordan

I'm curious, Do you have A Vintage Escher with Labels, or a Timber Tools Eshcer. You also mentioned Thuringian. Do you have one of those as well? I'm trying to get feedback on the lot....

Originally Posted by Dups

We all have different technique, skin type and razors so no one solution works for everyone.

That is the bottom line. I would bet three guys could hone the same razor with the same hones and probably come up with three different edges. Then the other variables thrown in. With my skin type I get irritation going beyond two passes with minor touchups. Of course I shave daily. If I went to every other day maybe I could get by with three passes ?

I get smooth and sharp enough edges off of a bbw/yellow progression. I like to hit it on an Escher afterwards sometimes but I can get by fine with a coticule by itself. Beard type probably plays into it to. I have very fine hair on my head. Some on my arms chest and legs etc. but none on my back. My guess is I am lucky enough not to have extemly tough whiskers.

Some fellows that are extremely hairy have tougher hair. I know this from shaving people for tattoos. Not their face but the toughness of hair on the body varies too believe it or not.

I can shave off a coticule but I and my skin prefers something a bit finer like cr0. I'm still looking for a hone to push that edge even further pass the coticule. I got my eyes set on a shapton 16k...so tempting :P

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I get smooth and sharp enough edges off of a bbw/yellow progression. I like to hit it on an Escher afterwards sometimes but I can get by fine with a coticule by itself. Beard type probably plays into it to. I have very fine hair on my head. Some on my arms chest and legs etc. but none on my back. My guess is I am lucky enough not to have extemly tough whiskers.

Some fellows that are extremely hairy have tougher hair. I know this from shaving people for tattoos. Not their face but the toughness of hair on the body varies too believe it or not.

Same here. My whiskers are fairly tough (I have lotsa curly brown hair on my head and I like the just-right sharpness off a bbw/yellow progression. I've tried the CrO and while it produces wicked sharp edges, I much prefer the old good coticule.

For me, smoothness and comfort of shave is the ultimate goal. Sharpness is a good and necessary milestone but not the ultimate prize.

Originally Posted by Dups

I can shave off a coticule but I and my skin prefers something a bit finer like cr0. I'm still looking for a hone to push that edge even further pass the coticule. I got my eyes set on a shapton 16k...so tempting :P

The 16k will definitely do it.