How sharp does the razor need to be?

I can't get my razor to pass the hanging hair test. I can get it sharp enough to cut hairs when passing over my forearm. I sharpen using a coticule stone and diminish the slurry down to plain water using circle and x stroke method. How can I improve?

How does it shave during the shave test ?????


http://straightrazorpalace.com/video...-test-vid.html

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Originally Posted by Chet

I can't get my razor to pass the hanging hair test. I can get it sharp enough to cut hairs when passing over my forearm. I sharpen using a coticule stone and diminish the slurry down to plain water using circle and x stroke method. How can I improve?

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Honing with coticules is kind of tricky for a beginner. Are you setting the bevel with the coticule as well ? I set my bevels with a 1k synthetic and sharpen with 4/8 and test shave before moving to a coticule. Some guys do the whole thing with a coticule but I doubt anyone does on a regular basis. Not if they have a lot of razors to hone anyway. Lot more work doing it all coticule IMHO.

As far as how sharp ........ sharp enough to give a smooth close shave with no pulling or irritation.

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Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

As far as how sharp ........ sharp enough to give a smooth close shave with no pulling or irritation.

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I dunno about "irritation" -- never get any -- but a little "pulling" never hurt anyone; in fact, it's always an opportunity to work on technique (shaving, not honing). What, you don't get "mind drift" every now and again? I'd rather my consciousness get yanked back to reality by a pull, than by a cut.

I always get pulling because I only shave every 3 or 4 days,am 65,have a colligen depleated heavy grey beard.
But I always get a BBS two pass shave,one WTG one ATG scything,no burn,no irritation,go figure?

Like Everyone Has Said, There Is A difference Between SharpAnd Smooth!

I Can NOT get A HHT to Work For Me On Any Of My Razors. Professionally Sharpened Or Done By Me. There IS a Difference In Smoothness Of The Shave Between Mine And A PRO's Though...

Go For A Smooth Feeling Shave And Don't Worry About The "TESTS" to See If It Is Sharp Enough. Your Face Will Let You Know If It Is Good For You!

90% of the honing is setting the bevel right. after setting the bevel its childs play to hone. you know you got the bevel right when you can shave armhair from it, thats when you can start moving up in grit.

The only real test a razor needs to pass is the shave test. How does it shave?