Could it be to sharp?

[BOGARTUS]

Last night I put scales on a H&J.W.King blade I got. I have been reluctant to sharpen it due tot the curved nature of the blade. I went at it anyway. This morning I shaved with it. At first it seemed to pull and scrape but, by the middle of the job it was like wiping the lather off with my finger. and smooth.

Could this have been the mysterious (to sharp edge)?

[mparker762]

I don't think so. I've heard of this happening exactly once, and it was another newbie as well. I suspect it's more a matter of your beard finally softening up enough for a comfortable shave, or you finally got the angle correct, or something like that. Once an overhoned edge folds over or tears off the razor won't stop pulling until you fix it on the hone.

[AandW]

Last night I put scales on a H&J.W.King blade I got. I have been reluctant to sharpen it due tot the curved nature of the blade. I went at it anyway. This morning I shaved with it. At first it seemed to pull and scrape but, by the middle of the job it was like wiping the lather off with my finger. and smooth.

Could this have been the mysterious (to sharp edge)?

No. I do not know your experience level. However, it sounds like you started off with an incorrect blade angle.

The idea of a razor that is "TOO SHARP" just does not make sense to me.

[BOGARTUS]

I am new to this, I have been straight shaving every day since may 13th 1998.

[AandW]

I am new to this, I have been straight shaving every day since may 13th 1998.

NEW???:confused: :001_huh:

I should be asking you questions.:biggrin:

[AFDavis11]

Maybe it had an ever so slight roll from stropping and corrected itself as you shaved or it could have smoothed itself out a little shaving. That is what I describe as too sharp. Those with little experience with straights don't believe in too sharp because that technically isn't the right word for it. There is definetly (IMHO) a spot where the edge is really sharp but doesn't display the classical signs of overhoning, yet begins to behave this way. You may have broken away the chips (shaving) and be left with portions of good edge. Its very rare though, as MParker mentions, usually its overhoned so much that the effects on the edge are catasrophic. This would be overhoned, but by only a couple of strokes, and varies by each type of hardening process. Typically I would think this gets corrected by stropping, but not always (I have found), especially if you use a light touch when stropping.

When removed by simply shaving I have often been concerned that the edge still had oxidized remnants, you may want to hone a little "deeper", but these are just my opinions.

I've only been honing for about 4 years so I'm only describing the concept for future readers, I too am pretty new to this.

[BOGARTUS]

8 years may seem like a long time. This hobby involves so many variables that change daily. I don't think I have ever had two shaves the same. and just when I think I am perfect OUCH. In all that time I had heard about the too sharp edge. Never gave it much thought until I recently got interested in the somewhat restoration of Ebay crap. I only may have honed my three or so personal razors once. So, I am certainly not an authority on anything. The one undeniable truth that I now know is I can put a better edge on a store bought (shave ready) razor. thats one thing I wish I had learned back in the day.

So I guess its safe to say be careful when you hear, Shave Ready or Too Sharp

Always Listening
Joe

[gglockner]

To sharp or "fresh off the hone" is kind of like using a Feather DE
set on 10 for the first shave.You will get a close shave but it won't be very comfortable. After a few shaves it should mellow out a bit and start shaving properly.

Glen

[BOGARTUS]

To sharp or "fresh off the hone" is kind of like using a Feather DE
set on 10 for the first shave.You will get a close shave but it won't be very comfortable. After a few shaves it should mellow out a bit and start shaving properly.

Glen

Thanks to all. I think this is the deal. It really calmed down and shaves nice now.

Listening and Learning

[netsurfr]

Interesting... I am learning a lot. Had no idea there was even a concept of too sharp. Have to keep this in mind. Sooo many variables...
Steve

[Steerpike]

I've recently found that, for my face, there is a too sharp. I shave only with an open blade razor, and have done for years. For a long time I've maintained them with a hone (transluscent Arkansas or 10000 grit waterstone) and some antique stropping compounds (Hamon Pere) on a paddle strop.
However, I recently noticed that the autosol polish I use for my swords gives them a real mirror finish, indicating that it must be finer than the arkansas or the compounds (Arkansas leaves a nearly mirror finish, the blue "No 2" finishing paste a little more visible scratches, but very fine). So I decided to make another paddle strop, charge it with autosol, and make my razors even sharper.
It worked, the blades of my razors got mirror finished, and cut hairs just by looking at them, which was cool until I noticed that I got tiny bloodspots every shave. I rarely nick myself these days, so I decided that I perhaps needed to use it even more gently. But it made no difference, I bled every time, and I didn't notice it cutting my bristles (which are very tough) any easier. Eventually I made them all as they were by stropping on the blue paste, and now they dont cut me.
I think it's a matter, like the old experts said, of having the correct "teeth" for your bristles and skin. The slightly coarse teeth created by the Hamon blue paste do an excellent job of wiping my bristles from my face, especially using the correct "scything" motion. The mirror finished edge was not nicking so much as just not discriminating between bristles and tiny unevennesses in my skin. It cut stuff just by looking at it!

Has anybody else had this experience, or found a paste or stone that gives them the best results?