Thread: Level of sharpness *help*

FWIW, I have a disposable blade straight, too. I use Derby blades.

As others mentioned, you just won't get a regular straight as sharp as a disposable/replaceable blade. There's a reason you only get a very few good shaves out of replaceable blades or DE blades: those edges are thiiiiiin. Just a few uses out of 'em, and they're toast.

When you compare how your feather blade feels to your regular straight, you may have noticed that the feather blade seems to glide through hair much easier than your regular straight, yet it might also leave you with more weepers and irritation. Yet your regular straight seems to tug a bit through the whiskers, but doesn't irritate your skin as much. So the hard part is hitting the "sweet spot" with your regular straight: you want it sharp enough that it doesn't tug or pull on your whiskers as it shaves them, but not so sharp that it's leaving you with weepers. Going against the grain with a regular straight that's not quite as sharp as it should be can also be very irritating.

Your idea of sending one blade to Lynn and the other to Glen is right on. I highly recommend that you *do not strop* either razor when you receive it back. Both Lynn and Glen send their blades back in *shave ready* condition. Not strop ready, SHAVE ready. Pick up the blade and start shaving. Often, improper stropping technique will dull a blade. To truly get the most out of your honemeister honed blade, don't strop it first.

One last thing... Stretching your skin as you shave can not be stressed enough. It will *greatly* reduce irritation, pulling, tugging, discomfort, and also tends to decrease the odds of you nicking your face. I know that in some spots of the face, stretching is really inconvenient, and many guys don't bother with stretching the troublesome spots. Take the time to stretch all parts. Your face will thank you for it.

After receiving a blade back from a honemeister, I'll immediately shave with it, taking close note of how it feels. Then it goes in the drawer. I'll use one of my self-honed blades, and shave with it, comparing how it feels. If it doesn't feel as good as the honemeister blade, I work on it til it does.

Eventually, you'll get to the point where you won't need to have a honemeister blade as a reference; you'll develop a good feel for what it should be like.