Thread: "Modern" SR shaver?

Originally Posted by MrZ

All the stars dont have to be aligned, you just need to have the right guy honing your straight. I had a guy honing my blades who had no idea how to do it, and it was not fun. After having Outback hone one, I know what a sharp blade really is.

I have to say that has not been my experience. I have had several high quality razors honed by several reputable honemeisters, and while those blades have undoubtedly been quite keen, and given good shaves, very rarely have I had one match a fresh Feather blade. The Feathers just glide in a way that I only very rarely get from a traditional straight. If you have a feather, try putting in a fresh blade, and and skim your arm hair at a few millimeters above the skin; when I do this, I don't even feel the hairs get cut, they just fall away. Not trying to dog on traditional blades, I love my straights, but I do think that Feather blades are a level of sharpnes that is very difficult to achieve in a traditional blade; And while I totally understand that sharpness doesn't always equate to smoothness, for my beard I generally find that the sharper, the better.

Originally Posted by FoliageFace

I have to say that has not been my experience. I have had several high quality razors honed by several reputable honemeisters, and while those blades have undoubtedly been quite keen, and given good shaves, very rarely have I had one match a fresh Feather blade. The Feathers just glide in a way that I only very rarely get from a traditional straight. If you have a feather, try putting in a fresh blade, and and skim your arm hair at a few millimeters above the skin; when I do this, I don't even feel the hairs get cut, they just fall away. Not trying to dog on traditional blades, I love my straights, but I do think that Feather blades are a level of sharpnes that is very difficult to achieve in a traditional blade; And while I totally understand that sharpness doesn't always equate to smoothness, for my beard I generally find that the sharper, the better.

It is funny how different people can have such a different experience. Feather blades are my blade of choice. I have tried many different DE blades and persona blue and feathers are my preferred DE blades. However, I have found that my best straights are not only as sharp delivering a shave result just as smooth as my feather blades but also with much much less irritation. I dread using my DE and shavette now but will still use them once in a while in memory of my Sister but that’s it.
It also takes me just a few minutes to get a beautiful shave complete with maintenance. So you can see there are different results for different people. You just have to find your OWN way and enjoy it.

Originally Posted by Steel

It is funny how different people can have such a different experience. Feather blades are my blade of choice. I have tried many different DE blades and persona blue and feathers are my preferred DE blades. However, I have found that my best straights are not only as sharp delivering a shave result just as smooth as my feather blades but also with much much less irritation. I dread using my DE and shavette now but will still use them once in a while in memory of my Sister but that’s it.
It also takes me just a few minutes to get a beautiful shave complete with maintenance. So you can see there are different results for different people. You just have to find your OWN way and enjoy it.

Actually can I don't think our experience is that different: I have found Feather DE blades to be quite irritating, as well; however, the shavette blades are very non-irritating. I suspect, however, that it has as much to do with technique as anything; blades that sharp are pretty unforgiving of unnecessary pressure or the wrong angles.

Edit: I realized after the fact that this post could be interpreted as a saying "you have bad technique" in a veiled way. That was not the intention at all: I meant more to say that I have bad technique with a DE, which probably contributes to me finding the Feather blades harsh. And I certainly have had my fair share of nicks with my Artist Club as well!

I find my straights will actually pop the tips of my arm hair right off. Perhaps they aren’t quite as sharp as a new Feather but they do get extremely close