Thread: How sharp are DE/SE blades? And how do they sharpen them?

Then there is only one thing to do. Try doing a few DE and SE blades and report the results and whether the effort was worth it. It would be interesting as very few users seem interested in trying it

Bob

Originally Posted by Razorfeld

Use the search function and you should find a number of threads about this topic. In general, a modern coated DE blade (or SE for that matter) should not/cannot be re-honed due to the edge coatings. There are a number of devices from the early 19th century till the time they started coating blades that were made for the purpose of holding a DE while honing or stropping to extend their life. I'm sure a goodly number of these devices came into existence during the Depression when money was almost non-existent.

I have a fair share of knowledge of coatings both metallic and plastic, like teflon/pvd/cvd/plasma nitride/carbonitride/nitrocarbide/hard chrome and so on and if anything these coatings make the edges duller and not sharper, they might last a whole lot longer though. since the coatings are like 10-100X more wear resistant. But sharper (initially)?? I kinda doubt that. After a few shaves though...

Originally Posted by BobH

Then there is only one thing to do. Try doing a few DE and SE blades and report the results and whether the effort was worth it. It would be interesting as very few users seem to interested in try it.

Bob

I have feeling it not worth it at all. but could be fun..

Can you reccomend a good safety razor and blades for me to try?

Originally Posted by jigane

I have feeling it not worth it at all. but could be fun..

Can you reccomend a good safety razor and blades for me to try?

Yes, I think most people settle on a blade that is sharp enough and also smooth enough. Nobody I know likes an extremely sharp edge that is harsh for the purpose of shaving, masochists aside.

You would really have to qualify what you mean by "good". Is it a certain level of built quality you are after and/or a certain level of aggressiveness? Things like that can be taken into account if you have some previous experience using a safety razor and developed some preferences.

If you have no experience with using a safety razor I would suggest an adjustable model. I say that because you can start off using a mild setting and as your skill level in shaving improves you can dial up the aggressiveness if you wish. That would save buying a number of different DEs till you find one with the level of aggressiveness you like that will give you a long lasting, close and comfortable shave.

As for blades, many places offer sample packs containing a variety of different blades. I think that is a good idea to get one of those and see which brand gives you the closest and most comfortable shave in the particular DE you are using. My favourite blade/blades my not match your choice/choices.

Unfortunately with shaving gear it is mostly a YMMV thing because we are all different. You pretty well have to try a few different soaps/creams, brushes, blades and razors to find a combination the suits you well.

Bob

the new DE blades seem to be way thinner than the old ones. i've tried the glass trick with new feathers and couldn't notice any difference. i would think using some of the old DE sharpeners wouldn't work on a new blade because of the comparative floppiness of the new blades.JMHO

Originally Posted by BobH

Yes, I think most people settle on a blade that is sharp enough and also smooth enough. Nobody I know likes an extremely sharp edge that is harsh for the purpose of shaving, masochists aside.

You would really have to qualify what you mean by "good". Is it a certain level of built quality you are after and/or a certain level of aggressiveness? Things like that can be taken into account if you have some previous experience using a safety razor and developed some preferences.

If you have no experience with using a safety razor I would suggest an adjustable model. I say that because you can start off using a mild setting and as your skill level in shaving improves you can dial up the aggressiveness if you wish. That would save buying a number of different DEs till you find one with the level of aggressiveness you like that will give you a long lasting, close and comfortable shave.

As for blades, many places offer sample packs containing a variety of different blades. I think that is a good idea to get one of those and see which brand gives you the closest and most comfortable shave in the particular DE you are using. My favourite blade/blades my not match your choice/choices.

Unfortunately with shaving gear it is mostly a YMMV thing because we are all different. You pretty well have to try a few different soaps/creams, brushes, blades and razors to find a combination the suits you well.

Bob

Ok I'm looking for a safety razor that is made out of stainless steel and not chromed carbon steel, especially not crap copper-nickel-chrome chromed, and even hard chromes is not diffusion proof so it will rust, therefor I'd like a stainless steel one, preferably adjustable.

Worst case I'd choose anodized aluminum.

Any recommendations there?

Originally Posted by jigane

Ok I'm looking for a safety razor that is made out of stainless steel and not chromed carbon steel, especially not crap copper-nickel-chrome chromed, and even hard chromes is not diffusion proof so it will rust, therefor I'd like a stainless steel one, preferably adjustable.

Worst case I'd choose anodized aluminum.

Any recommendations there?

Don't know of any stainless steel adjustable DE razors but that does not mean there are none out there. For an all stainless steel DE for myself I chose a Wolfman WR1-OC head with the blade gap set at 0.74mm not the standard 0.64mm gap. I already had an Ikon Bulldog stainless steel handle so I did not bother with a Wolfman handle. It suits me just fine for others I don't know.

If you do a little research there are plenty of stainless steel DEs from different manufacturers to be had.

I went with Wolfman because he is in Canada and has an excellent reputation for quality work which I think is justified if the head I got is any indication. If he made a slant head I would have gone that route. Solid bar DEs I generally don't care for because I prefer an aggressive razor and most SB are not aggressive enough unless it is an adjustable or slant.

Bob

Here's a comparison of several blades. https://scienceofsharp.wordpress.com...ctured-blades/