Thread: Razor 'Peaking'

Phew! I thought for a second there you were going to talk about Peak Razor Theory, and that we are rapidly reaching a point where the supply of straight razors is going to diminish rapidly and for good (see "peak oil theory" on your favorite search pages).

Proceed (I have no real info to add... I rotate my razors and can't tell if there is an optimum number of shaves before a razor feels and shaves the best)

I would have to agree with poona. I do not know how or why(same guess as his) but I have noticed same thing. It seems to take a couple of shaves to mellow the blade.

My razor peaks on the 2nd or 3rd shave after honing. Thereafter, I have to use the chrome oxide pasted strop every 3rd shave or I notice the deterioration in quality by the 3rd shave after the razor has peaked (that would be the 5th or 6th shave), and every 3rd shave thereafter.

I attribute the peaking phenomenon to all that stropping, but that's just a wild-ass guess, I don't really know.

I love a good wild-ass guess

The first shave after honing is the very best. If it wasn't I would hone some more. I've never had a razor too sharp for me to enjoy short of a DE blade.

I find the best shave is the one right after honing. The only exception with some razors is if I use .25 diamond and then the first shave is a little on the harsh side.

I may be wrong but I am thinking that your edge is just getting smoother and not sharper. I notice that too and like the shaves about 4 or 5 out. It might depend how many times laps you strop it also.


Later,
R