Thread: How sharp is sharp enough? What let's you know when a refresh or honing is needed?

Yes, on the away stroke, (away from you), 2nd photo, you can torque the blade by pushing the thumb. down on the corner.

On the return stroke, (back to you), 3rd photo, push the corner, up to increase torque on the edge.

Use a relaxed grip so you are not pushing down on the strop. It takes a little getting used to.

The flip becomes a roll of the thumb, like flipping a switch.

Originally Posted by samircanada

Maybe you dont like it as sharp as I do, maybe your beard is not as strong as mine.

My beard can bench 200lbs.

But seriously there is no beard stronger than steel. Honing, stropping & shaving techniques always improve over time & you will find your edge durability will improve also.

There are guys replying here with thousands of razors honed so it would be ludicrous to think they don't like a sharp razor.

I'll just give one example here: I have a customer with a sensitive skin/tough beard combination, 2 razors in rotation. Obviously he does not hone & every 6-8 months I receive his 2 Engstrom f/backs for touchup. His maintenance, stropping & shaving technique is so good I am flat out trying to see any change in the edge with a microscope from the day I last honed them. He doesn't wait any later than when they start a slight tug in the shave. As I said thats 6-8 months. He only shaves every 2nd day but that's still a lot of shaves between hones. Something to aim for IMHO.

Said it before, say it again. hanging hair tests really are not all that useful. Some people (like Me!) have the kind of hair that NEVER passes the test. The best shaving razor I have, came from Gssixgun, and I'm certain that it passed every test he could give it before it was sent to me. But on me? nothing! Oh, and that razor has been in in use with nothing more than standard stropping. At this point it has seen 10 sets of ladies legs, as well as my own face for 2 years, and it was only Feb that it was time for a touch up!