We had one on one hands on honing lessons from Lynn, and have passed the knowledge on to a few others so I would hope they are sharp. If not the whole WNY crew is shaving with sub par razors :p
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We had one on one hands on honing lessons from Lynn, and have passed the knowledge on to a few others so I would hope they are sharp. If not the whole WNY crew is shaving with sub par razors :p
I have razors honed by Lynn, Sham, Josh Earl, Mastro Livi, Robert Williams, Joe Chandler, Max, Glen, holli4, Butch Harner, TheTofer, and if I forgot anyone it is not on purpose. So say that to say, that I have some to compare my own efforts to.
Beyond that, I go by the bbs + smoothness, I get overall and especially the areas on either side of my windpipe (hollows) and my chin. These areas seem to have the toughest whiskers on my particular face/neck. If I get those bbs effortlessly, and irritation free, I know my honing/stropping/shaving technique is delivering the goods. It goes without saying that I am referring to a high quality vintage, custom or current production razor.
I'm certain it's sharp because I just received it in 'shave ready' condition from SRD.
Mine turn out sharp but it almost seems like luck. I blindly follow Glen's honing videos and hope for a good result. I'll learn more as I go.
After honing , and using straight razors , for a little more than 4 years , I can say my razors are sharp .
I voted "hope" because I hone my own razors, and while I am learning there still are plenty of challenges when I meet a new razor. So it is a bit of a hit or miss when I work it, if the sun is in a particularly beneficial position I may be able to coax something good out of it, if not I'll just have call it "acceptable" and work it again.
In some rare cases I believe I am able to get near the maximum out of a razor, but I'm still working on improving.
I judge my razor's sharpness from the shave. Like JimmyHAD said, if the neck is BBS with no irritation, something went all right. Personally, I can add that I also see a difference in how many passes or how much touchup is needed. What can I say, I'm still learning :)
If the razor provide close and comfortable shave to me without irritation I am sure that's honed properly. Could it be more or less I do not care until it provides comfortable shave.
I voted think due to my 6 month new-b-ism. Despite this though, my straight shaves consistently out shave the fusion shaves of yesteryear.