Hello Gentlemen,

I think I have finally experienced the subtle difference between a smooth edge versus a sharp edge when it comes to shaving. This may not be anything new for the more experienced straight shavers out there, but today's shave was an "A-ha" moment for me. I may not be able to put it into words, but I'll describe how I came to realize the difference. I have been lucky with my "shave ready" razor purchases since I began this new hobby almost a couple of years ago. My first couple of razors were purchased from a member here who also offers honing services, the third from a member who sells razors as a vendor, and I had a heirloom razor restored by a mastercraftsman of a member here. All of these razors give an amazingly smooth shave! These members know how to put a SMOOTH edge on a razor. Which brings me to today's shave. I shaved with a supposedly shave ready razor recently won on the bay. I felt comfortable bidding on the razor as the seller knows the lingo to use and had positive feedback from some well known members of SRP within the last year. I even searched the forum here to see if this seller was or is a member of SRP, but no luck on that front. Well, I have to say the razor was sharp and did shave, but it was FAR from smooth. It's hard to for me to explain the difference between sharp and smooth, but I guess you know it when you feel it in your shave.
My hat is off to the members here who offer honing & restoration services, you guys are amazing and thank-you for offering your skills with a blade to the masses.
Thank-you.