Thread: Sharp versus smooth

When I was DE shaving I always found the first day I inserted a new blade there was an edginess to the blade. With each successive shave this edginess gradually changed into sharp and smooth. I changed my DE blade every Sunday. First two days it was edgy and then it became very smooth over the week of shaves.

I am still new to SR shaving (2 months) and I am wondering if there is a similar phenomenon with SRs? Is there a point after a blade is honed where the blade is almost too sharp? Do you always want your blade at that point of ultimate sharpness? How do you strike that balance between too sharp (edginess) and smoothness? Is it just a matter of stropping to achieve that smoothness?

I hope my question is clear and not too confusing...

I feel the same with my DE blades as you do. My 2nd shave is always my best of the blade.

I don't have this problem with a straight; either it cuts close or needs touch up.

The only real difference is with a Coticule edge on my Sheffields. The edge feels so smooth & soft, but I need a third pass on the neck. Never a rash or irritation with the Coticule edge.

Sounds crazy, but try palm stropping any new DE or SE blade for about 5 laps on your palm...seems to mellow a new blade for me every time....be careful, but it's much easier than it sounds.

Originally Posted by Phrank

Sounds crazy, but try palm stropping any new DE or SE blade for about 5 laps on your palm...seems to mellow a new blade for me every time....be careful, but it's much easier than it sounds.

I don't use a DE very often now...but since you mention it...the only blade I found that was smooth from Day 1 was a Gillette Silver Blue. I occasionally use my Schick Type-G (with a Schick blade) and that is smooth from Day 1.

Originally Posted by Hirlau

I feel the same with my DE blades as you do. My 2nd shave is always my best of the blade.

I don't have this problem with a straight; either it cuts close or needs touch up.

The only real difference is with a Coticule edge on my Sheffields. The edge feels so smooth & soft, but I need a third pass on the neck. Never a rash or irritation with the Coticule edge.

It may be because I am still new to SR shaving...or because I use five SRs in rotation. They are sharp and cut very nicely. I am just trying to figure out if the goal is to keep them at peak sharpness or have them smooth like a DE blade after 2 shaves.

Originally Posted by Whizbang

It may be because I am still new to SR shaving...or because I use five SRs in rotation. They are sharp and cut very nicely. I am just trying to figure out if the goal is to keep them at peak sharpness or have them smooth like a DE blade after 2 shaves.

Stropping....it is the most important thing you can do for your SR without question in my opinion. Keeps the razor's edge ultra smooth, one of the main benefits of the SR is what that leather does to a nice sharp edge....

Straights, honed and stropped properly, hold a good edge many times longer than a disposable blade.

Sharp and smooth can go hand in hand with straight razors.

Originally Posted by Whizbang

Is there a point after a blade is honed where the blade is almost too sharp?

No but it is possible to hone past an optimal edge & turn it into something nasty

Of course, some razors just shave nicer than others due to the steel & how they were made.