September theme: Perceived versus real sharpness. I have read comments where DE blades are sharper than straights and Feather SE blades are sharper than straights. I think they just feel sharper, DE blades and even the Feather Pro blade is thinner than a straight razor. Between the coatings and blade flex they feel sharper than a straight.
I think the assumption is a machine can do a better job honing than a human. I do not know how high grit blades are ground too nor how they are stropped. Straights generally are honed to 12-20k and some up to 30k. Taking things further pasted strops to 200k are out there. Then there is stropping on linen and leather.
One of the goals and advantages of straights is the ability to customize the edge, determining the correct blend of smoothness and sharpness. If the edge is smooth it does not feel as sharp as it truly is.
So my quasi-scientific experiment is to try different ground straights to see if my theory holds. The quasi-scientific part is I judge my 'true' sharpness by how easily my blade cuts on the ATG pass for my chin and upper lip. OK its not that scientific, but is all I have and I am too lazy to set up a proper test. The feeling of sharpness will be judged by how it feels on my WTG and first XTG pass.
To kick things off is my Brian Brown 7/8, she is 1/4 hollow. She felt sharp on the first 2 passes when it was time for the true sharpness test she went through the stubble like it wasn't there. Feels sharp, cuts like it is very sharp.
Razor: Brian Brown 7/8
Strop: Kanayama
Brush: Rooney
Pre: Proraso
Soap: Tabac
AS: Enhanced DR Harris AS, Stirling ASB
Scent: SMN Acqua di Cuba
Watch: Christopher Ward brass C60 GMT
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