Thread: How important is prep in extending edge integrity?

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

My gut feeling is that it all plays a part. If you , James, were to take some extra time and do a really through prep I would be interested to know if you noticed a difference in how the shave felt and if it turned out to be closer than what you routinely do now.

As far as edge longevity the steel type, temper, grind and all of that undoubtedly plays a part but what it is cutting and how it is maintained afterwards must also be an important part of the equation IMHO.

I feel an experiment coming on....

I take your point Jimmy - everything plays a role, undoubtedly. For me it is a matter of degrees. If, other things being held constant, better prep can extend the time between honing by a "significant" amount, let me at it. But if we are only talking days, or perhaps a week or so, the additional time and effort involved in upping my prep on a daily basis would not be worth it to me. That's just me of course, and in no way meant to be a comment on what others should think or do.

Actually, I think I may do that experiment - I have a lot of Bengall razors, to the point where I know that I have at least four that are basically identical in terms of era of production, size, grind and hone wear. That will be two for my face and two for my head (one with good prep and one with normal prep, for each shave area). No replication, but as good as I can get - although repeating the process over time will generate replications of a kind. I will work out an experimental design and start a thread elsewhere to keep this one clean.

James.