Thread: What makes for comfort?

I believe Keith makes pre-mixed pastes and liquids if you don't have 3-5 guys to go splits with on a lb of powder. Ever since I've been using it, I've been doing incredible amounts of faceturbation

I can't take it anymore!

That's it, I'm off to HA to get some .5 micron CrO2 for a piece of wood. I have been experiencing some less than smooth but otherwise sharp edges the last couple of times.

As was already noted, Ducks are usually pretty smooth, as well as my 8/8 Fili, 6/8 Helje and Puma... But the 8/8W&B and the 13/16 Engstrom, among few, could be smoother.

Cheers
Ivo

OK, so if I'm getting this right, if an edge is sharp enough to pop hairs it's more than likely sharp enough for a comfortable shave, and it's my shave technique that needs more work.

Assuming, of course, that the edge is pretty even and doesn't have a lot of micro-chips or anything.

My edges look pretty good under magnification, so I really think it might be my shaving technique. I'll keep at it.

Josh

Hey Josh,

When are you evaluating the razor's shave? Right after honing? Or two or three shaves after honing? I was reading on here that shaving improves after a few shaves.

I'm going to guess that happens because by the 4th shave after honing, you will have stropped your razor 100-200 times. It's probably because you've polished the blade over time on the stop (and your face) so the edge is even smoother.

Does that sound feasible to you guys who know more about this?

Originally Posted by joshearl

OK, so if I'm getting this right, if an edge is sharp enough to pop hairs it's more than likely sharp enough for a comfortable shave, and it's my shave technique that needs more work.

Nope . Popping hairs is a proxy for the shave test, and whose utility lies in its speed and ease of using it at the hone more than its accuracy. Once the razor can pop hair this usually just means it's getting close.

There are subtleties to the hair test that you learn over time, like *how* does the hair pop off - a blade that merely topples hair onto the blade is sharper than one that pops them, for instance. There are also issues of how does the hair react if you approach it obliquely (simulating an against-the-grain cut on a flat-lying hair).

The "true" rule is: the razor is sharp enough for a comfortable shave when it's capable of delivering a comfortable shave. But this isn't a terribly useful test while you're hunched over the 4k , so other proxies have been devised that are more helpful if less accurate. But it's the only rule that matters in the end, unless you're willing to dry-shave by popping a hair at a time, in which case I guess the hair test may be pretty accurate.

And you can't really get a comfortable shave from the 4k no matter how sharp it is -- the blade feels harsh and the shave won't be much fun.

I knew somebody was going to say this.

I know what you mean about subtleties with the hair test: I think I've seen all the different responses by now. Sometimes it can be maddening.

So what I really should be doing is herding swarthy Mediterranean men into a cell in my basement, where they'll be standing by with excess stubble at all times.

Thanks again for all the help,
Josh

Originally Posted by mparker762

Nope . Popping hairs is a proxy for the shave test, and whose utility lies in its speed and ease of using it at the hone more than its accuracy. Once the razor can pop hair this usually just means it's getting close.

There are subtleties to the hair test that you learn over time, like *how* does the hair pop off - a blade that merely topples hair onto the blade is sharper than one that pops them, for instance. There are also issues of how does the hair react if you approach it obliquely (simulating an against-the-grain cut on a flat-lying hair).

The "true" rule is: the razor is sharp enough for a comfortable shave when it's capable of delivering a comfortable shave. But this isn't a terribly useful test while you're hunched over the 4k , so other proxies have been devised that are more helpful if less accurate. But it's the only rule that matters in the end, unless you're willing to dry-shave by popping a hair at a time, in which case I guess the hair test may be pretty accurate.

And you can't really get a comfortable shave from the 4k no matter how sharp it is -- the blade feels harsh and the shave won't be much fun.

I realize there are those honemeisters who can make a pakistani shave like a dream but for me though all my razors give great shaves some are better than others and even among new razors of the same brands and models some just shave better and no matter how much honing and fiddling I do I can't get them to all shave equally. Now when I talk about differences here I'm talking about razors that all give equally close shaves but the comfort factor is where they differ. I believe its a combination of the grinding job as well as the razor itself. Some razors just don't have it in them to give that smooth as glass feel as you shave. Of course this is a matter of degree and it may be small potatoes but its a fact. I know there are some who say some razors are just more difficult to hone than others and it just takes more effort with some but I don't see that as a valid reason with some razors.

I think basically you have to accept that though all razors can be expected to shave equally as close its in the comfort factor where you'll see these differences and that's just the way it is. I have about 50 razors now and they are both new and vintage of all brands and I would say about 15 give shaves of the highest order with another 15 very close behind and the balance give just great shaves but you can feel them working on your face, not pulling or anything like that, no irritation but its not that smooth as glass stroke.

So the moral of the story is when you're honing your razors know the limitations of each razor and everyone has limitations right? Or at least thats what Dirty Harry says.

The comfort of my shave was improved by using a pre-shave cream. The medications that I take have made my skin more sensitive and the strong soap that I use in the shower takes the oil off my skin. Realizing this I started using a face cream to resupply the oils to my skin. Not much, just a bit, rubbed in very well. Then I apply the lather over that. It has noticeably improved the comfort of my shaves.

Just my two cents,

Randy, have you tried using a mild hair conditioner instead? It noticeably improves my shave quality.

This ones easy. The balance between your 4K passes and 8K passes is off. You can't smooth out the edge with .5 or less without "pre-smoothing" the edge on 8k. You need more 8k.

Add 20 passes with 8K, the last 5 really lightly. Try this atleast twice before hitting .5, watch out for overhoning.

So next time increase your ration of 8K strokes. You'll not need the .5 paste if you do this correctly.

Once you do this, you'll realize this is a new month. Time to learn lots of new stuff.

The other, less likely possibility, is that your face is sensing an overhoned or what I call a "pre-overhoned" edge. It may be overhoned but not provide proof against whatever overhoning test you might be using. Again, this is less likely of the two IMHO.