Thread: Feedback on Keenness

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