Thread: Feedback on Keenness

Good Grief! Almost 11 mo into this shaving world, and still amazed at the quality of the help.

'Completely accurate, Glen, the assessment of the anti-paste bias. 'Seems natural, since 99% of what I've learned - I've learned here. I've acquired the dominant biases. So maybe it's time to make peace with paste. I'll trade bias for a good edge every time. The only limiter being funds, but that will come with time. So the next black hole for time is researching how to use pastes correctly Its a nice affliction.

Oz, I seem to need reminding of that (razor potential). My default thinking for edges I'm not satisfied with is always to attribute it to the skill level in my hands. Its just a habit to avoid the move new guys make - to blame something else. While tunnel-visioned on building skills, its easy for me to forget - not all blades are created equal. Last wk, a Geneva and a Dovo best. I thought both edges were decent as I received them, but I like smoothness more than super keen. Normal procedures made the Geneva just wonderful. The Dovo took more work. I thought it was a great blade for the dollar, but did take more work.

I sure appreciate your help, Gents. I have alot of research and experimenting to do.

Originally Posted by pinklather

Last wk, a Geneva and a Dovo best. I thought both edges were decent as I received them, but I like smoothness more than super keen. Normal procedures made the Geneva just wonderful. The Dovo took more work. I thought it was a great blade for the dollar, but did take more work.

Just to be contrary I usually find Genevas take more work than Dovos
.... But it depends on the bevel as well as the steel. Did someone say that already ?

Originally Posted by pinklather

...I like smoothness more than super keen...

And that my friend is the Yin and Yang of it! I, personally like a smoothness of 10 and a keenness of about 8.5 on a scale of ten but even the scale is subjective and me being a "rookie" and all......

I have sent razors out to guys that I have sold razors to and I will not give a super keen blade to a new guy... 9 out of 10 of them will shred their faces! It is kinda hard to gauge but the more experienced the recipient the keener the blade they will receive. I enjoy guessing what they would like and, thus far, I have been pretty successful. The most important thing is like you said, the bevel, the bevel, the bevel... because if I get a razor with the bevel set tuning up a blade is easy. I have noticed also that if I have to do any bevel work I have to start completely over because of the very subtle differences in the "touch" we all have when we hone. Probably all wet but that is what I have noticed.

Take Care,
Richard

If anyone doesn't know, Richard RUINED me. First by causing confusion - sent a blade (that's ah sort of an understatement) that didn't feel sharp. 'Hardly any HHT at all. And a single WTG stroke cleared a path that no blade I owned (wackers, Gencos) could match even though they sliced and diced hair just fine. The next stage of destruction was the wallet - I had to have a stone that gave that kind of edge. Sigh. Next was the descent into madness, trying to learn the new stone. Dr. Oz can take credit for the heavy lifting on my rehab. Beware the blue stones. I hope Jimmy is recovering.

It was my first taste of smooth. I've bumped up the keenness, but still have to attend therapy about smooth.

Hi my name is Pinklather. I'm addicted to smooth...

Pray tell the name of the stone that destroyed your wallet? I can always get a new wallet.

If you want to try one, try SRD's Diamond spray, maybe the .50 on Felt. It's a great finishing medium. I don't use it often, but it does add a little something extra to a finished blade. Give it a try, or you can even send a few finished blades to me, I'll be glad to give 10 swipes on the felt for you. Good stuff....

Originally Posted by pinklather

my name is Pinklather. I'm addicted to smooth...

I'm totally addicted to smooth. What started me on the whole J-Nat path was buying a DD Goldedge that Dylan finished on his Asagi. Well, that was that..! That little experience prompted me to drop over $300 on a J-Nat, over £200 on a Charnley Forest and I recently picked up an Escher as well.

I hear there is therapy I can go to, but I dont want to go lol..!

Great thread guys.

Over the years and consider that I spent a couple years using just the Norton 4K/8K with no pastes or sprays and then progressed to a Coticule for finishing with no paste or sprays and then the Escher and then pastes and sprays and then every stone I could lay my hands on. I have never equated any difference to sharp vs. smooth because I have always thought the 2 had to act as one meaning does the razor shave close and comfortably.

The more I have experimented with different stones, pastes, sprays and films, the more I always try to come to a consistent method that will produce a quality shaving edge with reliability. What has been most interesting is that, in my opinion, once you develop confidence in your methodology and your tools, it doesn't matter what the stone or other media is in that many different razors including razors like the Dovo BQ produce wonderful shaving results. On any given day, the exact two razors may produce very different shaving results. I also believe that if you use the 6 best finishing stones you can find and at the end of your process of honing you use 10 light X strokes on .5 diamond spray or Chromium Oxide, you would be hard pressed to tell any difference in which stone you used and you still would end up with a great shave.

Sometimes we get bogged down with trying so hard to differentiate between sharp and smooth and velvet and coarse and hollow and wedge and extra hollow. All of these razors of quality can be made into really nice shavers. Personal preference remains the driver as well as how some of use seek knowledge and apply it.

Wanna have some more fun? See what differences different strops can make to your edges and to how they feel when shaving.

I really remain committed to this day, that there is something to be learned from every stone, paste or spray out there and not only from our successes, but from our failures. You would be amazed at how close some people are to wonderful edges and just waiting for the light bulb to come on. The driver always seems to be the elusive search for perfect and when you find it, you are not satisfied that it is perfect and keep looking. Every razor and every stone is just an opportunity for more knowledge.

Have fun,

Lynn

Thanks Lynn. That post is one of the most insightful posts I have ever read about honing. I like your observation about always chasing the "perfect" edge. I am lucky in that I have found an edge that suits me and I don't really have a burning desire to keep looking for a better one. For me, the shave is the real goal. I have other hobbies that need attention......

Thanks,
Richard

Originally Posted by ace

Pray tell the name of the stone that destroyed your wallet? I can always get a new wallet.

Nakayama Asagi from So. 'Wasn't easy to learn. 'Just getting somewhat of a feel for it now. Fav method is getting bevel set, all sharpening on Coti, finish on asagi.