Thread: Are we too obsessive?

Okay first off the answer is no because for many of us this is only a hobby.

But the fact that I tolerate an edge that some don't even consider shave ready (and have no problem with it) and the facts about shaving in say, 1850, are we too obsessive? I mean, out of 100 blades that people shaved with say, 50 years ago, how many could pass the HHT? How many were honed on stones lapped to within .0001" of flatness (Shaptons...)?

Yes I do appreciate the advances, and I notice the difference between a sharp shaver and a SHARP shaver (shaveable vs. gold-standard) and I can see that some people might need a little extra, but aren't we overkilling?

Yes. And I love it. I'm sure my great grandfather's razor would be sold as "not shave ready" onthis site. He got fine shaves out of it though. If I hone a razor and it doesn't come out super smooth, not anywher NEAR a honemaster level...it still gives a damned fine shave if I do my part.
BUT...when I get a good blade silly, stupid sharp and silly, stupid smooth...(I did it once, I swear!)...man, is that a thing of beauty. I don't know how many folks had those in 1850, though I bet some did...and I bet some even appreciated it!

don't get me wrong I appreciate it but sometimes (like on weekdays when I'm in a rush) I catch my self thing damn this blade needs a touch up and then I think immediately, still better than a cartridge on the third shave, still better/as good than all our ancestors/still shave ready, just not obsessively so, and then I laugh. I'm not upset at all I just think its funny how much we obsess lol.

I call it passionate.

I think I remember doing one of these threads about honing, way back when, have to look for a link...


there it is

http://straightrazorpalace.com/conve...seriously.html

Yes, absolutley yes, emphatically yes and with no apologies!!!
Mike

Something I've wondered myself too. How irritation free were the shaves back then, say in the wild west/1800's?

Or were it so that it was _a_ shave and they were lucky to have it. Plus it was probably not very safe to complain to someone holding a dull blade on your throat (fist full of dollars anyone?)

Striving for PERFECTION !

I can only speak for myself, but within that limit, the answer is no. I don't go in for all of the brouhaha, I just shave. I have a number of vintage razors, each of which I aquired for less than $50. I honed them myself using a Norton 4/8K waterstone. I strop them on an Illinois strop (can't remember the model number right now). I use low cost but quality soaps to shave with and finish off with cold water, witch hazel and one of several basic aftershaves.

You say obsessive, I say curious. Like the great men who have gone before us, our human spirit resists mediocrity in all its forms and guises!! We strive for knowledge!! We do not merely set our sights on "good enough"! No!! We ford that river! We climb that mountain! We dig that escape tunnel!

Like the great Explorers, we need to see what is over the horizon, and we are prepared to place our bodies on the line so that others may know and benefit from the wonders beyond! Blaze that trail! Paint that wagon! Strap the huskies into those harnesses, and mush!! Mush, I say!!!

Onward to GLORY!!!!!!!



James.