Thread: Different shaving results from either side of razor.

This sounds goofy, but on several of my razors, one side of my face feels like it shaves different than the other (razor seems sharper).
I switch hands, so the razor side is switched too.
Can the quality of the hone be different on each side?

nope, it's the difference between your hands, try to figure out what you're doing differently with the hand that works

If it was happening to only one razor of several then I would say that the blade might be warped, but since you are saying that it is happening on several razors then it is probably technique.
I have one razor that is out of balance from right to left. One side likes to rotate into my face, the other side likes to rotate away from my face. It shaves great as long as I remember to pay attention to my technique when using it. Some day I'll fix its balance issues.

Sounds like a stropping technique problem to me. If you use a hanging strop, in the future try laying it on a flat surface. However, it sounds like you've rolled the edges, so the first thing will be getting them re-honed.

I have heard guys claim this, but really I think it is your hand.

I shave with the same hand, changing to a knife type hold on my left side, I am right handed. It does feel different, don’t know that it feels less sharp.

It also can be stropping where the thin edge is leaning in one direction, that might cause a different feel and possibly in performance.

The edge should be equally sharp on either side.

I myself am rather heavy handed with my dominant hand and it can cause me to use too much pressure and make the shave somewhat uncomfortable on that side if I don't pay attention. I would suggest paying close attention to the amount of pressure you are using and make sure you stretch your skin well. If your skin is stretched well and you see the razor deflecting the skin then it is too much pressure.

Some of this speculation could be sorted out if one question could be answered. Is it always the same side of the face that seems to be receiving the sharper edge?

Originally Posted by JoelLewicki

Sounds like a stropping technique problem to me. If you use a hanging strop, in the future try laying it on a flat surface. However, it sounds like you've rolled the edges, so the first thing will be getting them re-honed.

Stropped up some "pain" myself this morning. Was in there flying up and down the leather, and went from "Hero to zero" when I realized I was flipping it wrong and probably curled the edge. My concerns were validated when I spent the next 15 minutes pulling beard hair out instead of shaving it like it had done the day before. I'll fix it tonight but just a few moments of not paying attention to such detail and your headed down a "rabbit hole" on your shave.

I consider myself pretty damn good at sharpening since I've been sharpening my own hunting knives, wives kitchen collection, and pretty much everyone else's knives since I can remember but razor sharpening is a whole new level of complexity. Cutting arm hairs is easy.....cutting a single hair placed on top of the blade...not so easy.

Originally Posted by Neckbone

This sounds goofy, but on several of my razors, one side of my face feels like it shaves different than the other (razor seems sharper).
I switch hands, so the razor side is switched too.
Can the quality of the hone be different on each side?

I experience the same thing. I think it may be the blade, despite others' believing otherwise. But I think it may be more likely that your (and my) whiskers on that side of the face grow in a different direction.

Been there done that. It was lack of experience for me