Going to try a Boker...

I just got a 4/8 extra hollow, round point Boker from SRD. I plan on trying it Saturday, when I have some time.

I'm looking forward to trying a Boker, and more importantly, a smaller and lighter blade.

I have a Dovo Best Quality Blond 5/8 1/2 hollow. It was my first, of which I did about 14 shaves with, had a ding early on, self honed it some to get the ding out, but it still is not quite as sharp as I'd like. I plan on coming back to it, now that I have more experience, and possible after getting it pro honed (as I have a free hone).

From there, I did about 6 shaves with a used Union Cutlery Spike, 9/16 1/4 hollow. It was better, although I was gaining some experience.

Next, I picked up a Saunders near wedge, curved edge, barber's point, 6/8. I did over ten shaves, but seemed to get some dulling on heel and toe, possibly from too much pressure during stripping, trying to compensate for the curved edge. I need to home this, but want to wait, until I learn to hone a "normal" blade, before trying the challenge of this puppy. Even on the first few shaves, I had a harder time getting a close, nick free shave. I did the worst with this, of the three.

Currently, I'm back to the Spike, and have done over 25 shaves with it. I get a very close shave, and irritation has been getting less and less, and not rare, but infrequent nicks. I'm really enjoying this blade. It is the smallest of the three, and I've been able to maintain it with just stropping an occasional Cr-Ox (3 times I think). I guess I'm getting the knack of stropping, about two months on this one.

So, I'm eager to see how the Boker shaves, especially given the smaller size, and the extra hollow.