Thread: Getting a smoother/duller edge??

I pretty sure I'm alone here with my sensitive skin but I like working from a duller blade. Lately I've been just backhoning and then not honing at all from there and stropping the blade into oblivion until it shaves ultra smooth. Shaves great and leaves no razor burn at all. I remember a looooong time ago, Chaaaaz (remember him?) made a reference to honing one pass on the 4,000 side of a Norton to back off a too sharp edge as his finishing stroke. I may try that, but I'm wondering if there might be any other tricks I'm not aware of to get a smooth duller like edge.

I like shaving with a sharp edge too but find it less stressful to my skin to use something not quite as sharp as I can get it.

Thanx

Woops...forgot. I'm using a Swaty and a Carborudum barber hone for finishing. Maybe I just need to perfect my technique and finish with the 8,000.

I don't think that shaving with a dull razor is the answer. It is clear to me that you need and ultra sharp razor to get a truely great shave. I suggest learning the honing and stropping techniques. Another extremely important aspect is the face preperation. Prep your face and use a razor sharp razor and you will do well.

It has been argued in the past that a razor can be too sharp. Ray from ClassicShaving often warns against using 0.25 micron diamond paste, as it can create an edge so sharp it catches on every imperfection in your face. A blade this sharp may cause irritation to those with sensitive skin as well. I don't think AFDavis is talking about a dull razor, but rather one that is not super-ultra-mega-mondo-sharp.

Yup, they are still really sharp. :-) I'm thinking maybe a lower grit finishing hone might be better. I'm at the point in my honing that .5 paste doesn't make the blade any sharper despite repeated passes, so this may be the problem. It does catch on every single imperfection. I suppose I could try using a much thicker cream. I may try and chuck the barber hones and just use the 8000 on a few blades.

I shave straight from the 8000, and the razors are jeest fine... But I am waiting for my Itsapeach and Lithide finishing hones to arive, so I will post my impressions...
Nenad

Thanx Nenad, did you get the DEs yet? Let us know how it goes.

I have to agree with you Mr. Davis. I too prefer a razor that isn't super super sharp. I tend to get a much more comfortable shave with a very keen razor (not dangerously keen) even if I have to make an extra pass to get some remaining stubble. I'm relatively new to str8s and I can't believe how sharp they are. I've used scalpels and let me tell you, a keen str8 can put a scalpel to shame. Then again, scalpels are designed to incise; str8s are designed to "scrape". Nonetheless, I don't want to run into someone with either of those in a dark alley!

-Rob

Good point,

I ran one over an 8,000 grit Norton and it cooled down nicely. I'll try some others in the A.M.

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

Thanx Nenad, did you get the DEs yet? Let us know how it goes.

Not yet, I was hoping to score them yesterday on my shopping in Greece... Didn't found them, but in the street kiosk (!) I found Omega brushes (boar AND badger), DOVO Shavette, and DOVO 6/8 Bismark (black). Go figure...

Nenad

Originally Posted by superfly

I shave straight from the 8000, and the razors are jeest fine... But I am waiting for my Itsapeach and Lithide finishing hones to arive, so I will post my impressions...
Nenad

superfly .. may I ask how your lapping of the lithide hone went ?
I spoke to Tilly about the lithide as mine didn't initially lap to the 'almost mirror finish' After a lot of persiveirance I've got one side mirror smooth - I think my problem may have been the 350 wet n dry . it was maybe a little too harsh .. I then used a carborundum hone and to get the mirror smooth finish - a sheet of glass !!! and a tiny cermaic hone I use for my fountain pen nibs ..
any advice tips on the correct approach would be appreciated .