Thread: A Good One

Originally Posted by Slartibartfast

I used to have this idea of "Sharp vs Smooth" in my head.

Now i look back and it was really 2 things.

Crappy technique and crappy honing


With good technique a sharp blade is a smooth blade.

Originally Posted by Maximilian

G-Bro,

imo

Bad technique. Most people that will say they don't want or think an edge is to sharp is because they might have cut themselves, are afraid of cutting themselves (again), had a few bad shaves with burned sensation or harshness,...

all this because of bad technique.

With proper technique (shaving and prepping) and know how about your skin and beard type, one can take any super samurai honed edge and get the best shave of their lives. But we already knew that. They apparently not, yet.

This I understand, always have.... have said the same thing many times, but I am still waiting for an answer from the "too sharp" crowd....

Hum well I think it's not only the blade but the technique. They do go hand in hand. One can destroy the results of the other.
Can a razor be to sharp? No not really but it can be rough and that's where the higher level of honing comes in to get it as sharp as possible and as smooth as possible. Combine that with good technique and your there. You'll enjoy the shave much more and I must admit you get a lot of satisfaction when you finally achieve those results.
It takes time and effort. You can't be afraid to experiment with different hones and you must be open to the way others hone etc if you want to continue to learn. Be open minded not critical of others technique or honing methods. Nobody has the market cornered on ability and the best results.

OK, with respect to all.....
This has become the old "To Sharp?" argument. It has come up a number of times in the past and there has never been a resolution. Never !......

Let us respect each others opinion and leave it at that.

Randy

Yep never has been resolved and never will because it's subjective. However we all tend to work together exchanging viewpoints and methods which is one reason I enjoy this forum so much.
We do occasionally have a few biting comments but for the most part they are few and far between.
I do respect others ideas, views etc. even when a few do get kinda "out there":-)

In the ever meaningful words of Lou "Whatever".

I would encourage anyone learning to hone and everyone who has achieved success at honing razors to strive for the very best results they can achieve, all the time, no matter what tools or methods you employ. Your face will normally thank you and I'm betting that all who achieve good results will continue to try for better results. What matters is how those results work for you.

And as always, Have Fun!!

Lynn

Originally Posted by randydance062449

OK, with respect to all.....
This has become the old "To Sharp?" argument. It has come up a number of times in the past and there has never been a resolution. Never !......

Let us respect each others opinion and leave it at that.

I became speechless at "defensive honing".

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

I became speechless at "defensive honing".

I question everything.

Honestly, I can't see what all the fuss is about here. I can understand what Lynn is saying, but I also get Chimensch's point too. Different strokes I guess.

We have to keep in mind there are two types of straight razor users here: the shavers and the hobbiests. The shavers will have a modest honing set up, shave with good (or even great) edges, and will focus on technique and relaxation. The hobbiests will have every honing toy known to man, be forever chasing that mythical perfect edge (the white whale if you will), and will never settle for less. Is there anything wrong with either? Absolutely not. Just as long as you don't meet Ahab's fate . The point is that, while you should strive for the best honing you can, you don't need $2000 worth of hones to get the edge you want.

PS - As for me, I'm somewhere in the middle.

As the chief idiot of the SRP village this is what I have learned in a short while. First, razors are all different because I have used a Norton 4K/K on a old W&B and got HHT positive results with the 8K plus CrOx paste. I have also had other brands that I couldn't get right with the 8K, the problem was my technique, but each time I get a little better with the same hone. Since starting I have moved up to the Chinese 12K because its cheaper than the Shaptons and you don't have spend your life savings on a lapping plate. I intend to buy a 8x3 coticule when I hit the lotto as well. ON average I find I get a little better edge with the Chinese than the 8K.
Second, new honers get better with practice. I have honed about 30-40 razors that I have sold and probably 60 total and I can say that each one I hone gets better. Its the technique and experience of the honer.
Finally. you can't get too sharp. Its like being too healthy, its not possible. I do not brown nose anyone including Lynn, Glen, Max or anyone else even if I am removed from the site. But, I can say this, when this group of people says its bad advice to tell new people a razor is over honed, I believe them. What I know is this, my first shave ready razor was bought form Classic Shaving and probably honed by Lynn and several months later and bad stropping in the beginning I had to touch it up, but the razor was not too sharp, it was as sharp as the honer could get it. Also with maintenance, Lynn and Glen are right, the finest edge will get ruined by the same means that the not so fine edge will mess up.
In closing, when reading what others have said on honing and reading a honing progression I tried from a post by OldSchool, each person does i differently. I find each time I hone a razor I use a lighter touch, set better bevels initially, and use fewer strokes. I also shave test each razor I sell to make sure the shave is comfortable.
So for all those whom will allow me the title of SRP village Idiot, thanks. I do not know nearly as much as some of these others, but I do know this this. Honing and Shaving technique are like the cliche of a fine wine, each gets better with time.

Originally Posted by Ryan82

The point is that, while you should strive for the best honing you can, you don't need $2000 worth of hones to get the edge you want.

I have something close to US$500 worth of hones in front of me. But the razors that someone honed for me are the missing link. If you've never seen/used an edge honed by a "pro", you'll never know where you're going. And I'm with Lynn, Glen, and the others on this topic. I don't get the smoothness/sharpness issue.