Thread: Random thoughts after a year of straight razor shaving

Well, I nodded most of the time.

Originally Posted by EV2

• I'm pretty sure that "rolling the edge" is a myth too.

Sorry, but a rolled edge is not a myth. I'll get around to proving it under the microscope for you some time later. In the mean time, realize that stropping would be completely unnecessary if a rolled edge were a myth. Stropping realigns the edge that has rolled over in minute areas in both directions away from the edge.

Originally Posted by EV2

• Trying to strop with "just the weight of the blade" is ineffectual.

Well, that one is a bit more nuanced, but stropping is done to re-align the edge and so the force is almost entirely along the length of the strop and very little toward the strop.

Originally Posted by EV2

• A $200 silvertip badger brush offers no noticeable performance advantage over a decent $10 or $20 boar.

There are differences between boar and badger brushes. Their performance with some soaps/creams can be quite different. I like them both but for different applications. The price difference does not need to be $180-190.

Originally Posted by EV2

• The hanging hair test is NOT a parlor trick; other than actual shaving, it's the best single indicator of shave readiness.

It is not a parlor trick but also causes way too many problems for beginners. For someone who knows how to do it and, more importantly, how to interpret it, the HHT can be a viable tool.

Originally Posted by EV2

• There isn't much correlation between the price of soaps/creams and their performance. I know this because some of the expensive creams you get as free samples when you order stuff have been absolutely terrible.

Yes, some would be terrible. There are so many soap-makers popping up and many probably figure a higher price will denote a higher quality. There are plenty of recommendations for great soaps in this forum, so you do not have to try them blind. Unfortunately, many of the better quality, and highly recommended, soaps do in fact tend to be more expensive.

The infamous rolled edge...

Originally Posted by Wirm

The infamous rolled edge...

Looking at the scale, the edge is still only 2 micrometers wide. A human hair is about 100 micrometers thick...would it really have much of an impact when shaving?

Nice edge picture! I know it's still not very big, but yes that edge is not going to cut as well as a straightened edge.

Cool, so I stand corrected on rolling the edge then.

Originally Posted by Surlyduck

Wonderful tips for a newbie like my self. I especially enjoyed the bit about the 200 to 20$ brush comparison as well as expensive soaps because it makes it that much easier to start and not feel the envy of the luxurious items that are being posted around here

Yes I really can't see paying a really outrageous price for a brush, it has always been in the back of my mind why anyone needs a $200.00 brush anyway, I doing just fine with one I think I paid $8.00 for and it is a badger.
If anyone uses a $200.00 brush please enlighten me on it's betterments.

As with much things, but not all...you get what you pay for if you shop around. Thater brushes like the SRP group purchase done several years ago is absolute awesome brush & all the others I have don't quite hold a candle to it.

All that matters is that you are enjoying the sport...just don't become stagnant thinking you know it all...you don't & neither does any of the rest of us. If you limit yourself to growing and learning, then I have to say: what a shame.

Originally Posted by pundi6446

Yes I really can't see paying a really outrageous price for a brush, it has always been in the back of my mind why anyone needs a $200.00 brush anyway, I doing just fine with one I think I paid $8.00 for and it is a badger.
If anyone uses a $200.00 brush please enlighten me on it's betterments.

As I lather my face with my $200.00 + custom brush, I feel a light euphoria begin to flood my entire body, starting on my face & extending to my nether regions.

I have never felt this with my cheaper brushes,,, I just can't explain it,,,

In the "$200 brush club", you weren't supposed to tell about the nether regions.

OMG !!! I was never good at keeping secrets,,,,,,