Thread: Anatomy of a "Perfect" Shave - a Newbie point of view

Originally Posted by kevint

Rob, I know that when one makes his razor as sharp as it should be, there are very few questions about it. You simply look in the mirror after the first pass and wonder. Did I do that?

I finished reading your post. I do agree with keeping a single razor up and running for as long as possible. The best control is your present method of shaving as I have said. Until you can exceed that you are not there. Beyond that there is the 'control' of your last straight shave.

...

For me the proof is not in comparison. It is in result. The high potential for the straight razor when the steel and stone strap and face are in perfect alignment is a closity, close flawless single pass. Not a daily thing for me.
but i have done so.

If i did not get that result from a honemeister blade while first learning why should I expect it this evening, and find means to correct any lack tomorrow.

Hi Kevin,
I believe that after reading and writing, we are both saying and to some extent agree, more or less, about the same thing(s)...Now, I understand what you mean by "backwards"!! I do get it. In your case, you are your best self control. I get it and I won't disagree with you. Beyond that, everything else is "moot" (to use the term loosely).

I think using one as a control is what, in scientific parlance, is considered an "internal" control. This, in the case of our shaving exercise, is always present (and ever varying) and no matter how hard we try, it is a variable that cannot be changed...unless we take ourselves out of the equation, hence creating a paradox (no self, no shave)...anyway, I digress. My internal control, as I see it is my technique...how good my shave is, my skin, my mood, honing & stropping techniques, etc, etc, etc...The internal control is what we all try to fine tune and improve.

What I was referring to in my post, is the "external" control. These are things I can use to compare the performance of my hardware (razor sharpness, hones, strops, cremes, soaps, etc, etc, etc...). This is where I see the comparative nature of the exercise coming into play. Take honing for example; In order for me to be able to tell if I have (or can) achieve a certain blade sharpness, I need to compare my technique to someone who can do this (and has done it for longer than I).

This, in no way requires for me to throw in the towel and admit that since there is a learning curve to honing, it must by extension be difficult and probably impossible to do. This should be seen as an opportunity to learn the technique and become proficient. I think that honing is simple in its own right, but it is an art. And I, for one, am trying to master .

Thanks for the discussion...I enjoyed it. I do admit, that I do have a lot to learn.

Cheers,
-Robert

I enjoyed hearing more detail about your experiences/pov. I am glad I went back to read the rest of you OP. There is far more to agree on than not.

My tiny taoist especially enjoyed this : But, before doing anything, don't do anything.

Straight razor shaving is a primo discipline to practice. We learn that opposite ideas can be equally true, starting small is the only way to do big things and on and on.

Originally Posted by kevint

I enjoyed hearing more detail about your experiences/pov. I am glad I went back to read the rest of you OP. There is far more to agree on than not.

My tiny taoist especially enjoyed this : But, before doing anything, don't do anything.

Straight razor shaving is a primo discipline to practice. We learn that opposite ideas can be equally true, starting small is the only way to do big things and on and on.

Amen to that my friend...I agree. Just out of curiosity, what kinds of hones you got and how do you like them?

-Robert