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Thread: Edge Profile

  1. #1
    Member hajo's Avatar
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    Default Edge Profile

    Hello,

    in the perspective of honing for me a really/totally straight edge seems reasonable.

    As you can see in the wiki there are a lot of different edge profiles (smile, frown…)

    Even on my new razors from different current manufacturers there is always a little bit “smily” in the edge profile at least near the stabilizer.

    · What is the reason to have a other edge profile than (totally) straight ?
    I personally would prefer a really straight one ...

  2. #2
    This is not my actual head. HNSB's Avatar
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    You get more of a slicing action if there's some curve to it (smile).
    Sometimes it's just wear from the particular honer's stroke.

    Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government.

  3. #3
    ace
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    Senior Member blabbermouth ace's Avatar
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    A truly straight edge requires more honing skill to maintain its original straight lines. A smiling edge can be more forgiving on the hones. I find they are also more forgiving on the face and allow for maneuvers not so easily pulled of with a perfectly straight edge.
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    Faces aren't perfectly flat, a bit of a smile will help in getting the hollows on your face and neck. A slight curve in any cutting tool also means it will cut more efficiently and with less pressure as there is only a small portion of the blade that is leading the rest of it instead of the entire blade trying to cut at once.

  5. #5
    At this point in time... gssixgun's Avatar
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    Just to clarify

    Straight = Good
    Smile either Factory or Honed in = Good

    Any other profile = Bad Honing

  6. #6
    Senior Member JSmith1983's Avatar
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    Alot of the old barber manuals taught barbers to hone towards a smile. It helped steer away from a frowning edge.
    Last edited by JSmith1983; 01-16-2014 at 01:58 AM.
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    Senior Member blabbermouth 10Pups's Avatar
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    If their supposed to have smiles, why do they call them straights ? :<0)

    I like em straight or you could just say, I use mostly straight. I have smilers and starting to add them into the rotation. It's been a brand thing with me mostly. Not too many ducks with smiles and if they are smiling , look under, "Any other profile = Bad Honing" in Glen's post above. You may find it under frown. To my knowledge no razor was made to have a frown. In a year or month I may have a totally different favorite. I have seen this posted by others also. Just do what feels good at the time but don't be afraid to try new things.
    gssixgun likes this.
    Good judgment comes from experience, and experience....well that comes from poor judgment.

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