Why do Merkur blades feel rough?

Because they are rough...

Edge viewed at 200x and 500x. Brand new blade.


I prefer Feathers myself...

WOW.

Could you post some shots of other blade edges from the same magnification?

Well, here are shots of a Feather DE blade, brandy new as well...

200x and 500x

Still looks a bit rougher than I expected in comparrision.

As another comparrison, here is the edge of an old Wade & Butcher wedge straight razor I honed, at 200x

Very Interesting Post.

Wow. that's incredible.

Here's my next request- blades from a "cartridge" razor (mach 3, etc).

endcycle said:

Wow. that's incredible.

Here's my next request- blades from a "cartridge" razor (mach 3, etc).

Click to expand...

I never go near those things!

Seraphim said:

I never go near those things!

Click to expand...

right then. I just thought it'd be interesting.

Interested photos, I'm surprised by how pitted the Merkur blades look. Out of interest what finishing stone do you use on the Wade & Butcher, I'm guessing a blade straight off a Norton wouldn't look so smooth?

most interesting post i have read in a long time; no friggin wonder they irritate my face

i would love to see a derby magnified.

cool pics!

How about some 'after' shots of the feather once youve shaved with it a few times and are ready to throw it out, so we can check out what kind of damage is done

Wow this is cool. This really gives useful objective data. What are you using to take these photographs, plus what can we do to get more? We could really compile some useful experimentation data if alot of people pitched in.

Cool...it would be interesting if you could get all the blades and post them.

I'd also be interested in a before an after shot. Even better, I'd love to see a series of pictures on the blade when new, first shave, second shave, etc up until the blade needs to be replaced. Not to gain any real knowledge, but I'd just be really curious to see it.

Do you have one of those cool USB microscopes like Alton Brown has?

http://www.instructables.com/id/Take-digital-photos-through-a-microscope-without-a/

Who has a microscope?

Interesting post. Its amazing to see how much higher quality the edge on the st8 is when properly honed

"broken glass everywhere...."


marty

This is fantastic, but it doesn't mean much with a sample size of one. I know a statistically exhaustive set of images is impractical, but it'd be an amazing resource to have a few photos of two or three different blades from each of the major brands.

Extremely interesting. What sort of microscope was this?

Well that explains way the Merkurs feel like a cheese grinder

I'd like to see a pic of the straight blade at 500x.