Thread: Shaving off of 8K

Positive report from last night's shave. It was quite nice. Now that this was successful, I'll spend a little more time on the stones and upgrade the edge a bit.

While I have nothing against experimentation and even admire the efforts I wonder why anyone would shave off of a 4k let alone a 1k unless there was no alternative ? I have seen a number of members post that they shaved off of the hones without stropping just to see what it felt like. I've never done that and, while I believe in never say never, I don't think I ever will.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

While I have nothing against experimentation and even admire the efforts I wonder why anyone would shave off of a 4k let alone a 1k unless there was no alternative ? I have seen a number of members post that they shaved off of the hones without stropping just to see what it felt like. I've never done that and, while I believe in never say never, I don't think I ever will.

I shave directly off the stones because it's a true barometer (IME) of how well I've done with my honing. In fact, I did last night off the 8K. I did do a little dry shaving off the 4K before just to see what it would be like. ATG on my neck with no pulling and it was smooth... Maybe I should go for the 1K

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

While I have nothing against experimentation and even admire the efforts I wonder why anyone would shave off of a 4k let alone a 1k unless there was no alternative ? I have seen a number of members post that they shaved off of the hones without stropping just to see what it felt like. I've never done that and, while I believe in never say never, I don't think I ever will.

I actually agree here with Jimmy I have done a tone of experimenting, and it is just that, something to try... At the time of the 1k experiment we were discussing Sharpness -vs-Smoothness I and many others think that you are basically done sharpening a razor by 4k perhaps even much lower then after that you are really just refining and smoothing that blade edge...
Being able to get a razor sharp enough to shave at 1k pretty much solidified that theory in my mind...

That doesn't mean I recommend it it just means it can be done...
I do know that an 8k Norton will give a competent honer a great edge... Notice I even qualified what 8k as I know somebody that does the grit exchange thing will get in here sooner or later...
I have said this for quite awhile though "If you want to test your honing shave it straight off the hone, no stropping" that way you test how you did on the hone not how you can strop...

I've nothing to add except to say "just do it"

Look at barbers hones. 6-10k I here most are estimated at.

Anything in that range should be plenty if wielded properly... assuming our faces haven't gotten softer in the past hundred years. I think most of the polishing stones are there purely for the enjoyment. A shave with 8k probably feels fine to at least the majority of people here I'd assume... but they go with the 12k, 15k,16k,30k stones just because they shave with them and think, "That was better than fine". The same happens with disposables. I shave with $1 /10pack singles. Yes, they clog regularly and rip out several hairs a shave. I shave with 5blade $5/head razors. They clog and occasionally rip a hair out. But if I shave with a single, when I'm done, I feel my chin and go; "Yeah that was acceptable". The next day I pick up a 5blade, shave, feel my chin and go "That was much better". If they came out with a better disposable, I'd probably repeat that process going from a 5blade to that one. I doubt anyone here, no matter how many blades or stones or how expertly they strop feels they've experienced the best straights have to offer, even though they deeply enjoy their shaves, they are typically looking for a better one, and once that's achieved they'll look for one better than that, etc, etc, etc.

It's like collectors. Sure you've got 100 of the coolest lawn gnomes ever, but you REALLY need the one that looks like a yellow smurf... it would make your collection so much better!


Edit: Does the wiki or anywhere have a good explanation of the grit exchange thing, as I've seen several references to it "Mostly along the lines of "Japanese grit is soooooo much finer than everyone else"", but I've yet to find any substantive information along the lines of "This stone's grit is calculated thusly... and this one's is calculated as such."

I absolutly agree with those of you that say you can get a good\great shave from the 8000.I have done so many times myself.But the question is, why do that when you have an arsenal of higher grit stones? wich I am sure most of you guys have, I know I do
My point is, no matter how great an edge you manage to get from the 8000, you will be able to improve it at a higher grit.And there is a REAL differense in the comfort and quality of the shave.

BTW: totally agree with the shaving right of the stone.


Kristoffer

Exactly. Sure, it's possible to cut hair AKA shave off of a 1k, 4k, 6k, 8k or a blunt rock but the comfort of it might not be as good as if it was finished off of a higher grit stone.

I agree that if you didn't do a good job honing at the lower levels, polishing won't help one bit but saying that you shave at 1k seems more like a "I'm such a man that I rip trees with my bare hands" kind of statement. :P

Also, personally, I have a very sensitive skin... so, shaving off of a 8k makes my cheeks go purple!

Why did Chuck Norris shave his beard? I don't know why he did it, but at least 15 people died during the process and a few things exploded!

Originally Posted by v76

Exactly. Sure, it's possible to cut hair AKA shave off of a 1k, 4k, 6k, 8k or a blunt rock but the comfort of it might not be as good as if it was finished off of a higher grit stone.

I agree that if you didn't do a good job honing at the lower levels, polishing won't help one bit but saying that you shave at 1k seems more like a "I'm such a man that I rip trees with my bare hands" kind of statement. :P

Also, personally, I have a very sensitive skin... so, shaving off of a 8k makes my cheeks go purple!

Why did Chuck Norris shave his beard? I don't know why he did it, but at least 15 people died during the process and a few things exploded!

Maybe so... It could also be that when you have a bit more time, you'll be able to shave off of 8K quite comfortably.

I have all the time in the world when it comes to shaving... not a variable. I wanna keep my precious jugular intact. :P

But I agree with you, it's probably user error.

I'd like some more feedback on this, though... so I can correct my honing.
What do you think I should try to make a shave off of a D8EE comfortable?