Thread: Do real straight razors get as sharp as a shavette?

Originally Posted by Kees

Reading the posts above one would get the impression sharpness is only a matter of edge geometry which is only part of the story. How about steel quality? Carbon steel vs. the alloys and diamond coatings used by Feather or any other commercial razor blade manufacturer.

The coatings might do something for longevity.

Sometimes I forget how sharp we can make razors, and then I do something like yesterday and run a razor through the oxides and shave with it and then it cuts off every single pimple and bump I have on my face, and I have to rub beeswax and oil mixed on my face so that I don't get razorburn that turns into bumps that get shaved off the *next* day.

Back to the linen and natural stones. Jeez.

Through which oxides are you running?

Originally Posted by Utopian

Through which oxides are you running?

Chrome ox and then iron ox (the iron ox from kremer pigments).

But chrome ox by itself it done well enough will cause weeps when I shave, especially ATB. I don't have the perfect skin that some folks have, too many little bumps (not razor burn, just temporary blemishes or irritation, stuff that's magnified by the shower).

I have used the Feather non folding DX & SS and the folding SS and once you learn the proper techniques with a straight razor, get one professionally honed and buy a good strop and finishing stones you won't want to use the shavette again. I found the modular strop makes it very easy and gives great results. I also purchased Sharpton 8K, 16k and 30k stones and it makes maintaining the finest edge very simple with 5-7 passes a every 7 shaves. I found there is quality variation with the Kai and Feather shavette blades you won't have with the straight. Enjoy the journey to enlightenment. It really is fun.

Originally Posted by jkatzman

I have used the Feather non folding DX & SS and the folding SS and once you learn the proper techniques with a straight razor, get one professionally honed and buy a good strop and finishing stones you won't want to use the shavette again. ...
... I also purchased Sharpton 8K, 16k and 30k stones and it makes maintaining the finest edge very simple with 5-7 passes a every 7 shaves.

While I cannot say that I ever enjoyed using the typical (Dovo) shavette, the Feather DX does give me good results and has a place in my rotation when I travel or am pressed for time at home.
The more satisfying shave remains the classic straight shave though.

With regard to honing, I find honing every seven shaves excessive.


B.