How sharp is a good blade?

[bluefoxicy]

This straight razor was professionally honed.....

I can flick a hair down against the blade and it'll split. Just lowering it slowly won't do it.

It seems sharper than a Derby DE blade, but nowhere near as sharp as a Feather DE blade (splits hairs under their own weight). Should I strop with Cr2O3?

http://www.classicshaving.com/catalog/item/522940/219350.htm

 

[Ookla The Mok]

The HHT is so very subjective. All hairs are not created equal and facial hair covered in lather is not equal to my wife's hair from her brush.

Take a test shave, it's the only real test.

 

[Blaine]

Believe it or not, it's not fair to compare it to a Feather DE. I'll search for the pics and post them if/when I find them, but if you actually view it under a microscope... a Feather DE is as sharp and polished as any blade you'll ever encounter. If memory serves it was on par with the ultra fine Shaptons.

That said, my straight gives a better shave. The weight of the blade is heavier, greater surface area, etc. etc.

*edit*

http://www.tzknives.com/razoredges.html

You can see that for a 'factory edge', it's no joke. Obviously, no Shaptons were used so my memory sucks.

At any rate, it's not apples and oranges but it's also not a side-by-side comparison.

 

[leighton]

I was unimpressed by Feather blades. Didn't do it for me.

A vintage DE blade however... I was actually very impressed.

But I'm OCD with edges so....

 

[Luc]

+1 Try it, or shave some hair on your arm... Consider the fact if you are wearing a short sleeve shirt first!

 

[bluefoxicy]

I'm not shaving with it YET... the stropI had was under the sink, it's coated in mildew. Cheap $20 thing that came with 2 pakistani razors.

Ordering a 3 inch red latigo leather strop. Cr2O3 will go on a second, cheaper strop.

 

[bluefoxicy]

Holy CRAP.

I got my strop. Ran the blade over it several dozen times, passed it across my arm a bit CLICK CLICK CLICK CLICK hairs flying off! SHARP!


Well that's better....

 

[OldSchoolYoungin]

The shave test is the real test for sharpness. A razor can send part of a hair flying off during the HHT or do wonderfully well popping hairs off your arm, but it may still shave miserably.

If I ever do need to touch up on a hone, I finally test it by dry shaving a bit off my cheek. If it's smooth and sharp there, it'll be more than ready when my facial hair is softened with lather and engorged with water.

 

[aquilla]

The HHT is so very subjective. All hairs are not created equal and facial hair covered in lather is not equal to my wife's hair from her brush.

Take a test shave, it's the only real test.

at first glance i read that as a completely different statement , the difference missing 1 letter can make
no disrespect intended.