First shave with a Lynn-honed razor

This weekend I finally had a shave with a Lynn honed razor. A 5/8 W&B hollow ground.

It was a memorable experience for 2 reasons: I had 0 irritation afterwards and my self-honed edges are nearly as sharp as that from this razor.

As it turns out, my chin hairs are very thick, as well as hard. Even with the new W&B, the razor does NOT glide through the hairs without effort. I have to make lots of short strokes while shaving my chin if I want to shave without pressure because the blade just stops.

To me, this was even better than the shave itself, because I had always assumed that my honing skills sucked when applied to hollow ground razor. Now I know (or assume) that it is not the edge but the hair.

Wow,

I haven't had a Lynn-honed blade yet - but if you're getting similar results that's awesome...

I have had multiple razors from Joe Chandler and wouldn't put my skills up there with his... maybe in a few years? On the other hand, I have bought shave-ready razors from other people and some of them have been worse than my edges, others were comparable

Cheers
Ivo

hey, don't count out the stropping.
(jk)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Friggin Joe

hey, don't count out the stropping.
(jk)

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that's a great point, actually - good catch, Joe!

Cheers
(currently experimenting with various strops) Ivo

Quote:

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Originally Posted by izlat

On the other hand, I have bought shave-ready razors from other people and some of them have been worse than my edges, others were comparable

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Everybody defines "shave ready" by their own standards -- everybody's beard and face are different. We've seen that the only thing Josh finds "shave ready" are Feather AC's, but there are other guys out there that shave just fine with a factory Dovo edge.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mparker762

Everybody defines "shave ready" by their own standards -- everybody's beard and face are different. We've seen that the only thing Josh finds "shave ready" are Feather AC's, but there are other guys out there that shave just fine with a factory Dovo edge.

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Sure, Michael - let me make it clear that I wasn't dissing anyone in particular. I myself have received comments on some razors that I sold that they weren't as sharp as what comes from Lynn - and, honestly - I am not a bit surprised :nono:

Cheers
Ivo

Quote:

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Originally Posted by izlat

I haven't had a Lynn-honed blade yet - but if you're getting similar results that's awesome...

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I have honed 1 6/8 full hollow that was just as sharp as this W&B, but Lynn's edge feels 'smoother' for want of a better word.

I managed to do a complete WTG ATG shave with zero irritation at the end. That is something I have not been able to do until now.
My guess is that this edge is 1 smooth line from heel to toe, whereas my edge would have more variation, causing some irritation while shaving.

As for shavereadiness, the hairs of my chin only yield without resistance to a new disposable shavette blade. But that does not mean I cannot get satisfying shaves from my straights. On the contrary. I like them much better, but it just takes time to go over my chin.

But the best thing about this W&B is that I now have a reference to which I can compare my own work.

EDIT: of course, I need a lot of time per razor to get that result, and I cannot get that with every razor just yet. I do not mean to imply I can match THE honemeister... yet... ;)

i can't wait til i get my Lynn honed dorko :)

neither can I...

I have sent 2 razors to Lynn in that past to hone for me. I have also bought 2 from him. A 6/8's Dorko and a old Frameback(the name escapes me right now). I have never tried anyne elses honed razors other than Lynns or my own. But lynn can put a Hella smooth edge on there that if taken care of will last a long time.

I don't know much about honing but I will assume that what makes a honemeister really a honemeister is that 5 to10 % seperation from being able to produce a decent shave-ready razor to maybe a razor with almost immeasurable qualities --- gives really smooth shaves with little irritation, gives an edge that does not deteriorate as quickly, etc. I suppose that a honemeister is special also in his ability to get quick results and knows how to adjust at different stages of the game --- and the ability to reproduce results ---and I also assume that a honemeister's abilities are much easier appreciated by experienced shavers/honers than green horns like myself. If anybody feels the need to shave with a butter knife then I'll hone your next razor for ya.:)



Justin