Did I just find out what too sharp is?

It was time to sharpen up one of my razors on the paddle strop to keep it shave ready. I decided to use .50 paste and then .25, and of course then finishing up on a regular strop. I had heard the term over sharpened and .25 microns together a few times in the same sentence, but I suppose I refuse to believe that there was such a thing as too sharp. The razor was so sharp when I as finished that I was able to dry shave part of my face in absolute comfort.

This morning when I went for my shave it was wonderfully smooth, but when I looked at my skin about 30 minutes later it looked as if I had missed a number of hairs on my neck. What was strange is the hairs were white, and I dont have white hair! Upon closer inspection it wasnt hair, but small pieces of skin that had been partially shaved off. It was not at all painful so I didnt notice that it had happened. I was using my usual amount of pressure when shaving, apparently that is to much after the .25 pasted stropping!?

Wow JL. That's interesting. I've had similar experiences after using a pasted strop (0.5 and 0.25 micron) but I always thought it was because it wasn't sharp enough or that I had ruined the edge or something. So maybe I'm over sharpening it instead of dulling it. How many laps did you do on the pasted strop and did you use any pressure on the strop?

I used around 55 at .5 and probably about 50 at .25, I wasnt really counting I just tested it every now and then to see how it felt on my arm. Once I was happy with the feel of the blade I tried it on one side of my face...I was so impressed with the smooth feel that I tried it on the other side as well, it definitely shaves, maybe too well?

Its a small paddle strop so its much shorter than a regular strop. I use just enough pressure on the center of the blade to keep it from moving excessively while stropping.

JL,

I use a paddle strop too (from Tony). I do about 15 laps on the 0.5 and maybe 20 or 25 on the 0.25. I think you might have done too many laps.

Ed

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Originally Posted by EdinLA44

JL,

I use a paddle strop too (from Tony). I do about 15 laps on the 0.5 and maybe 20 or 25 on the 0.25. I think you might have done too many laps.

Ed

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I'll have to try that next time...I was watching tv and stropping and sort of lost count of my strokes...but I know it was WAY more than the amount you do.

I have the same experience when my face is dry. Keep wet and that'll stop happening. Congrats on the super sharp. Wonderfully effortless isn't it?

X

I think I'd use less pressure, sounds like an ok edge. Effortless is correct. In my opinion its not too sharp unless you nick yourself simply by touching your face with the blade. After that its headed into overhoneville really quick and that hurts something fierce.

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Originally Posted by xman

I have the same experience when my face is dry. Keep wet and that'll stop happening. Congrats on the super sharp. Wonderfully effortless isn't it?

X

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That may have been part of the issue as well...I was using some old shaving cream by AOS (I ran out of my other soap) and it dries out MUCH faster than what I am used too.

The thing is, I usually do an upward pass with any soap or cream and my neck is rather dry at that point...maybe it was a combination of the blade and the crappy cream.

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Originally Posted by AFDavis11

I think I'd use less pressure, sounds like an ok edge. Effortless is correct. In my opinion its not too sharp unless you nick yourself simply by touching your face with the blade. After that its headed into overhoneville really quick and that hurts something fierce.

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Even though that situation is less than ideal, that sounds like it actually takes honing talent...which I dont have.