razor p0rn!

How's this for going overboard?!

Actually i'm not very analretent about sharpening.. but its raining out.. thought it'd be interesting
to do. Not drawing any conclusions here -- but certainly if anyone sees anything interesting,
please chime in!

Here's what we'll be looking at:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/09...ave/lineup.jpg

Old (for me) Solingen Mehaz 5/8 hollow.. bought new maybe 15 yrs ago, used a few years, put away
and finally brought back into rotation. Has since picked up some pitting.

New (to me) Boker 4/8 extra hollow. Purchased from SRD -- literally a week ago.

And, finally, a feather DE razor.

So the DE razor personally gives me the best feeling / sharpest shave. I'm still a little peeved that
I can't get my razors as sharp, but maybe not a fair comparison, but am throwing it in for kicks.
(DE used in a shavette style straight)

The Boker I recieved shave ready and has one shave on it.

The Mehaz I just honed: 6k, 8k, 10k + stropping (mesh then leather).

Here we go:

Mehaz 60X
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/09...e/Mehaz60X.jpg

Boker 60X
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/09...e/Boker60X.jpg

Feather 60X
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/09...Feather60X.jpg

Mehaz 200X
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/09.../Mehaz200X.jpg

Boker 200X
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/09.../Boker200X.jpg

Feather 200X
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/09...eather200X.jpg

I'll be interested in others' opinions. To my newbish eyes, the Feather looks painful and burry, the straights look good but maybe some of the grain could be polished even finer with some paste especially on the Boker but maybe that is just cosmetic at 200x?

Nice pictures. I didn't note any question in your post. I would suggest focusing on how they shave and comparing them.

The straights appear poorly/ under-stropped, if your looking for a reason the DE is working well.

the feather DE likely has a coating on it. wonder if that changes a perspective.

Thanks guys.. yeah.. no real question. just show and tell.

of course the sec i pushed "post message" if found the advanced forum. :(

while I have your collective ear.. i'm still trying for "feather sharp".. and I think I'm getting
there. Had to reduce the spine thickness (on the Soli).. it won't pass a HHT but - dang -
closest shave i've ever had with a str8.

up to 10k finish (super stone) + stop using "fine" valve grinding compound (all I had :) )

"Fine" valve compound is probably extremely coarse for a straight.

in theory I agree.
if it makes any difference it was applied to a soft "plush" leather and worked in with a burnishing
tool. maybe larger particles pushed to the buttom? can't say / conjecture.

its hard to argue with the shave it gave me though.

and i'm comparing it to:
1. a shavette
2. the pro honed boker

first time i got a compliment from the wife, too!

i've come to the conclusion that this stuff is voodoo.

while I'm at it, something else I've been embrassed to share:
it seems to me that a razor will shave better if stropped the night
before (or right after your last shave) and allowed to "rest".

don't ask me.

I think compliments from wives are probably the most consistent tool honers can use to gauge their honing progress. After a comfortable shave is want we are seeking.