I always assumed that nothing beat a properly sharpened straight razor... but the problem is, I have NO clue how to detect a properly sharpened straight razor. The reason I'm interested in a disposable blade/shavette is if it'll be able to give me a SHARP shave everytime until I learn how to sharpen my razor on my own.

I know that I feel pull when shaving now, and I didn't feel pull when in the barbers chair with a disposable. That may be because it wasn't my hand doing the pulling though.

I know to look for a very fine, thin, mirror-like edge on a straight razor, and test to see if the hairs on my arm pop off prior to shaving... but I have no clue how to do the thumb/thumbnail test even after reading the tutorials. I just can't feel the difference. Could anyone show me any pictures/images of these tests being performed?

I have a pasted strop, and have carefully given my slightly-dulling razor 15 laps on the .25 diamond paste, but the shave wasn't great - I can't tell if the shave wasn't great because the blade wasn't sharp, or because I'm still a crappy barber! The problem for me, is that I can't seem to knock down one possibility before the other. I very well could have over-stropped it on the paddle strop for all I know.

It's just like 'Zen and the Art of Motorcyle Maintenance'... you just gotta narrow it down and find out what one of the problems is before you strip that last screw.

So no one recommends the Shavette? If only to use while practicing sharpening my real straight razor?

Suggestions?