Thread: Why not use the sharpest blade?

I like my razors and also my DE blades to be very sharp, i.e. cut with very little force. To touch is to cut. Some guys don't like it that sharp. They want to relax and enjoy an uneventful shave or they might have sensitive skin or maybe their shave technique doesn't work well with the sharpest of blades. There are other desireable qualities besides absolute sharpness. Every major brand of DE blade has users who prefer that one above all others. Just like with a straight razor, you might like an extra full hollow, or a half, quarter, or a wedge or near wedge. You might like a wider or not so wider blade, a more acute or more obtuse bevel angle, a hard geometrically true bevel or one with a bit of softness and convexity to it, or one taken to extremely fine honing media or a vintage coticule or slate or a 12k synthetic. Preferences are not always all about sheer cutting power.

I like Feather Hi-Stainless for DE or shavette shaving. I like sharp. Not everyone thinks their world turns around the sharpest possible edge on steel and it is absolutely NOT needed for a decent shave. There was a time when a barber hone was considered a perfectly adequate finisher, or a Norton 8k. Back in the day some guys would hone their razors on found river rocks and shave with that edge. Guys on the forums have on a dare, shaved with 1k edges.

Use what you like, for whatever reason you see fit or even no reason at all. Your face. Just remember, only heathens bowl lather or use boar brushes.

Originally Posted by CrescentCityRazors

...Back in the day some guys would hone their razors on found river rocks and shave with that edge...

"Back in the day?"

I did that YESTERDAY.