Thread: Which is sharper: Good disposable blad or well-honed straight?

Technically, a well sharpened straight would be third in line after 1) chipped obsidian 2) computerized latest technology mass generated edges (razor blades, scalpels, etc). The problem with the first two is that the edges are more fragile and don't hold up as well or as long as a well sharpened straight razor. If they designed the first two to hold up longer, then they would be closer to the straight in actual sharpness. At least that has been my experience.

The actual Micron measurements on the edges are much closer then you might think...

The differences are in the Multi-bevels on the machine made blades and the special coatings on there after the sharpening...

With some time and talent and sub-micron pastes you can narrow the gap to really close, but you can't spray on a special teflon (or other) coating to enhance the smoothness like they can , you can only burnish the edge with careful stropping and hope for the best

Straight shaves are smoother and that's all that matters to me. When my blades pass the HHT they are sharp enough. Sharpness is a function of bevel diameter and hardeness and flexibility of the steel. And coatings in the case disposable blades.

All my razors less sharp then Wilkinson blades, and I can have more effortless shaves with Wilkinson blades... but after good stropping I have nice and smooth shaves with my straight razors and I understand that I have no need in more sharp edges.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

With some time and talent and sub-micron pastes you can narrow the gap to really close, but you can't spray on a special teflon (or other) coating to enhance the smoothness like they can , you can only burnish the edge with careful stropping and hope for the best

Why can't I dip my straight in ZMAX before I shave to add the magical properties? My thoughts are that the straight razor I prep on a daily basis has the same or very similar edge everyday. I don't use the str8 and wait for it to become so dull I cannot stand it anymore as most do with disposables. I don't know anyone who shaves one time with a disposable, and throws it away. They use it many times, each time the edge not as sharp as the previous time. So, my point is that with the first shave a disposable ( double edge, single edge or multi )may be a bit sharper but what about shave 2,3,4......With a straight, the blade stays consistent.