Thread: Interesting to compare my 2 blades

So...since I started straight shaving almost 4 months ago..I started with my Sheffield 7/8 razor bought from Sham (Hi_Bud) on classifieds..she's been a real smooth shaver..so a few days ago I received my totally restored Solingen razor from Max (Honemeister)..
This was my wife's grandfathers razor for more than 50yrs..anyways (ther is a story in my other posts about this blade)...so I had my 1st shave with it and I must say...yea this razor is a tad under 5/8 but whatta different blade feeling..felt a bit harsher..not in a bad way but not as smooth as my larger Sheffield 7/8 for some reason...wasn't a big deal..knowing this is a family heirloom and will stay for many years to be passed on...but something I definitely noticed and took me a bit longer to go in my passes...stropping the blade was a bit different too as size was much smaller
Anyone else notice differences between a larger and smaller blade also with 2 different countries of origin

PcDad

First, I gotta say, Sham (Hi_Bud_Gl) is also, in any sense of the term, a honemeister.

As you experience more blades, you will find that many of them can perform quite differently. The difference is not just the honer or the honer's hones or the honer's mood on a particular day. The size and grind of the blade can make a huge difference. The steel itself can make just as much of a difference on blades of identical sizes and grinds.

Why do think so many of us have more than two razors?

...not to mention the technique being used for the razor... IME the heavy grind sheffields were a touch more forgiving to me at first than the full hollows regardless of who honed them... which kind of translated into a harsh feeling.

After using many kinds/shapes/sizes, it is more of a "sharp is sharp" kind of experience.

And I know you weren't trying to make a big comparison between the actual honing jobs specifically, but in case someone gets the wrong idea here hi_bud_gl's honing is easily among the best.

Cheers

Dave

As they say, variety is they spice of life. No 2 razors of mine shave exactly the same.

I'm guessing it's most likely due to the difference in grind. When I was new, I found that heavier grinds were much easier to get good shaves with - they are more forgiving of poor shave technique due to both the lack of flex and the greater inertia of the razor. It took me a while to really really like shaving with full hollows.

Size could be a factor as well - with a larger blade it's easier to monitor your shaving angle because it's easier to see.

I have found that an edge fresh off the hones can be harsh at first but smooths out after a couple of shaves. The smaller blade may also like a slight angle change.

Best of luck.
Peter B.

Yeah, I find there is a lot of difference between razors in terms of the feel of them on the skin. Thats part of the fun!

I also find that there is a difference when you get them on the hones. Some razor feel really soft on the hones, and its almost like honing on silk, whereas others seem to feel harder somehow, and make the hone feel more like marble.