Thread: sharpness question

I think its not that Lynn put a bad edge on it. Lets say hypothetically that you had perfect technique. Maybe both blades are sharper than your threshold for distinguishing- I certainly can't tell the difference between sharp level 49 and sharp level 50 lol.

On the other hand, maybe the guy who honed your razor was good too. There are a lot of unsung heroes () on this forum who can put a wicked edge on the blade, they just aren't honemeisters.

Originally Posted by khaos

I think its not that Lynn put a bad edge on it. Lets say hypothetically that you had perfect technique. Maybe both blades are sharper than your threshold for distinguishing- I certainly can't tell the difference between sharp level 49 and sharp level 50 lol.

On the other hand, maybe the guy who honed your razor was good too. There are a lot of unsung heroes () on this forum who can put a wicked edge on the blade, they just aren't honemeisters.

Exactly! I'm starting to think that the member that sold me the Bengal did a superb job honing the blade. I cannot recall who it was and the listing has expired I sorta wish there was still a BST forum. I wasn't here when it was switched to the classifieds so I don't know the reasoning behind that change.

Anyway, I think I have been assuming the Bengal was good, but not great. It turns out that the Bengal is just as sharp as the Boker. So I was hoping to see an improvement with a sharper blade, but the reality is I just need to continue to improve my technique.

I'm feeling my face and the shave is oh so smooooth
I did a WTG and ATG pass with the Boker. Cheeks are great, neck is pretty good but not perfect. I did still make an ATG pass with my Futur on the mustache. Everywhere else was the Boker. I may be getting the hang of this! lol

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

If you just got your first drivers license today and bought yourself a new Porshe 911

There is a very high probability this scenario would find you off the road in a ditch (or worse) within the first few miles.

Originally Posted by Hayduke

Anyway, I think I have been assuming the Bengal was good, but not great. It turns out that the Bengal is just as sharp as the Boker. So I was hoping to see an improvement with a sharper blade, but the reality is I just need to continue to improve my technique.

Now that's a problematic assumption. I've had many bengalls and no current production bokers, but given the choice I'll take a bengall for sure.
Then there's quite a bit of misconception about honing. There are two limiting factors (1) the razor (2) the honing. A honemeister will consistently get the razors pretty close to their limit, but I'd rather shave with a dubl duck honed by a guy with a year of honing experience, than say a fromm or gold dollar honed by lynn.

Originally Posted by gugi

Now that's a problematic assumption. I've had many bengalls and no current production bokers, but given the choice I'll take a bengall for sure.
Then there's quite a bit of misconception about honing. There are two limiting factors (1) the razor (2) the honing. A honemeister will consistently get the razors pretty close to their limit, but I'd rather shave with a dubl duck honed by a guy with a year of honing experience, than say a fromm or gold dollar honed by lynn.

Yep, I'm realizing I probably hold many assumptions that are inaccurate and potentially problematic

It is nice to know that my Bengal is at least 90% (probably 99%) as sharp as the Boker from SRD.

I just had no reference point really, so I'm having trouble defining "sharp".

The shave with the Boker and the Bengal have both improved with each use. I guess I expected my technique to improve at the same rate as with my DE razors. I think I had that down pat within a week or so. Now I can shave with a Feather in my Futur set to 6 (or whatever the max is). I'm sure I'll get there with the straight too, but it's definitely a longer learning curve then with a DE.

what's the point of testing a razor prior to shaving if shaving with it is the true test of a razors sharpness? because that's how we guage,with experience how well the razor will shave.it is a combination of both these procedures that tell us this.hayduke has a point.if the razor is not splitting hairs,why would it shave any better?

Originally Posted by balaban9331

what's the point of testing a razor prior to shaving if shaving with it is the true test of a razors sharpness? because that's how we guage,with experience how well the razor will shave.it is a combination of both these procedures that tell us this.hayduke has a point.if the razor is not splitting hairs,why would it shave any better?

Well there are a lot of factors- the first and most important being beard hair is not head hair. Head hair might be weaker or stronger than beard hair. Also, the finer cross section means it is less stiff so it might bend before it gets cut, where as beard hair is anchored in your face and is a lot stiffer. There are lots of reasons why it might not work, but if you practice it you learn what to expect from it and then you are right.

Originally Posted by Hayduke

I'm sure I'll get there with the straight too, but it's definitely a longer learning curve then with a DE.

Two years since I started and last night I was shaving and figured out another , and better way, to stretch a problem area on my neck. If you think about it we are shaving for 15 to 20 minutes once a day or maybe for some every other day. That really isn't much time to practice. I don't know when I will have the technique perfected, if ever, but I am still learning as I continue to shave. Not on every shave but once in awhile I get an epiphany.

Originally Posted by khaos

Well there are a lot of factors- the first and most important being beard hair is not head hair. Head hair might be weaker or stronger than beard hair. Also, the finer cross section means it is less stiff so it might bend before it gets cut, where as beard hair is anchored in your face and is a lot stiffer. There are lots of reasons why it might not work, but if you practice it you learn what to expect from it and then you are right.

You're understanding exactly where I'm coming from
A shave test is always the best way to tell how sharp a razor is, but we have developed other methods as well. Through experience, we learn that if the razor does [pick your favorite test], it has a high likelihood to shave well.

My problem is I do not have that experience to assess sharpness, so I started this thread to benefit from the experience of others. Because I'm still a newb, I can't even use the shave test very well. The razor could be very sharp, but I don't know how to use it, so I get a poor shave.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Two years since I started and last night I was shaving and figured out another , and better way, to stretch a problem area on my neck. If you think about it we are shaving for 15 to 20 minutes once a day or maybe for some every other day. That really isn't much time to practice. I don't know when I will have the technique perfected, if ever, but I am still learning as I continue to shave. Not on every shave but once in awhile I get an epiphany.

Thanks Jimmy. I appreciate that, but at the same time I'm disheartened to learn that it may take me two years to get good at this. I was hoping a few months max LOL

We are all always newbs. Not just in shaving, in life too.