Thread: How sharp is sharp?

Originally Posted by strtman

..... Sometimes a cut, sometimes a razor burn, but in general I was satisfied with the results, although a real smooth face was not in sight yet. I knew that would require many more months practice.....

After three months you should be getting smooth shaves at least once in a while. One of the major things to learn once you have learned to use the razor is how to hone and care for a razor. Everybody needs are not the same because of beard, skin, and personal preferences. You do not mention how you maintain your razor.

Originally Posted by strtman

..... Oh yes, now I know what a sharp razor is.

This seems highly unlikely.

This is just me. If you have been using a razor for three months without using a barbers hone or some other process then you no longer have a "sharp" razor. If you are using a factory honing the chances are extremely low that you have use a razor that is properly honed. I can only go about a week without at least a barber's hone touch-up and most of the time I do it every couple of shaves. I have a very tough dense beard and I like "uber sharp" blades. In general if you are using a razor and it tugs very much it is in need of at least a touch-up. One way to judge a razor's keenness is to see how low you can lay down the razor and still have it cut well. I find that a properly honed razor will cut almost till the spine hits my skin.

That said, if you do not wish to get into honing a razor then buy another razor. There are some outstanding razors at a very fair price on the BST. Send the razor out and have it honed properly. You also need to figure out the maintenance scheme that you wish to pursue. Face it, you are hooked on this straight shaving thing!I will stick my neck out and just say it.. you have probably not had a proper shave yet! Now that you probably have the mechanics down pretty well get a keen razor.