Sharpness?

[mouscacha]

So, I realize there are so many characteristics of a sharp blade. My question is "Why would one blade shave so effortlessly through a tough beard while another would have a harder time." I know it's a stupid question, but I just recieved a TI C135 blade that glided through the toughest of hairs with little to no effort. I have recently had a couple of my blades rehoned by straightrazordesigns thinking they would have the same effect, but to no avail. I also have a Le Grelot which gives a great shave, but it just doesn't glide through the hair. It gets stuck on some. The TI C135 literally cut through everything, including skin. I had a small pimple which it glided through...

Can someone explain this to me as I'm befuddled.

 

[Luc]

The honemeister and your technique are the main factor to a sharp blade.

Depending on how you shave, the blade could be very sharp but you don't think so and if the edge is ok but not great from the honemeister, you will get that other feeling.

Your stropping will either improve or worsen the blade with time.

The razor itself (built) will affect the shave. I prefer a full or extra hollow but some prefer wedges and are better with them.

 

[taffy]

I have found this, and have put it down to poor shaving technique and as luc says, my stropping, I have bought some shave ready straights, that to me, are not, but most probably were, and now I am honing, I find that even though I use the same progression, some are far better than others!

 

[johnmrson]

Quality of the steel used in the blade and grind of the blade are also factors.

 

[professorchaos]

Even "honemeisters" don't nail every edge, every time. What's more, a razor's edge is a very personal thing. What one thinks is perfection another might find lacking. So I no longer shave with any new (to me) razor without tuning it to my preferences.

 

[Woodash]

I have a TI C135 as well, and if you got it from Martin like I did, that sucker probably came - as they say around hyea - WICKED sharp (actually, that would be 'WICKED shahhp'). I have some very well-honed razors, but that TI in particular requires serious attention to your technique or you will cut yourself.

That said, it's really no more effortless, effective, or enjoyable shaving with the TI than it is with the other razors in my rotation.

 

[SliceOfLife]

There are entire books written on the mechanics of cutting. It's really hard to summarize. If you assume a direct push with no angled draw, then sharpness is reduced to the maximum width of the cutting edge or more realistically the maximum width of the cutting edge after you have dropped the top X% of results.

However this is impossible, so an actual breakdown of "sharpness" becomes very complex.

 

[professorchaos]

I have a TI C135 as well, and if you got it from Martin like I did, that sucker probably came - as they say around hyea - WICKED sharp (actually, that would be 'WICKED shahhp'). I have some very well-honed razors, but that TI in particular requires serious attention to your technique or you will cut yourself.

That said, it's really no more effortless, effective, or enjoyable shaving with the TI than it is with the other razors in my rotation.

Martin might be the one exception - he does a great job honing. And yea, those C135 TIs do take a hell of an edge.

 

[honed]

Some variations to take in to the calculation:

-Honing is made by a man.
Like all of us he can have a bad day or a great day.

-All razors have slight differences in performance, maker, grind, width, weight and so on.

-The steel in say two TI 135's can differ. Not by much ofcourse, but with the tinest amount, that when the final product is used your face will notice it.

-Heat treatment, did it succeed to 100%?

-I find that the only certain way to know that a razor is perfectly honed is to test shave it.
And if you hone loads of razors for others everyday, how do you do that?

 

[mouscacha]

I guess there are just too many variables to take into account. I'd have to say, though, the blade is definitely wicked sharp. For it to cut through imperfections (pimples) with that much ease confirms the sharpness!

The blade was actually from Rasage Poulin, but I'm getting another Le Grelot from Martin (which shipped out today). From what you guys are telling me about Martin's honing skills, I should be able to tell the difference of a really sharp blade vs. a dull one. The Le Grelot I ordered from Martin is the same exact size and grind as my current Le Grelot (of which I enjoy shaving with). I'd really like to see how it handles my thicker hairs!

 

[Poulin]

So, I realize there are so many characteristics of a sharp blade. My question is "Why would one blade shave so effortlessly through a tough beard while another would have a harder time." I know it's a stupid question, but I just recieved a TI C135 blade that glided through the toughest of hairs with little to no effort. I have recently had a couple of my blades rehoned by straightrazordesigns thinking they would have the same effect, but to no avail. I also have a Le Grelot which gives a great shave, but it just doesn't glide through the hair. It gets stuck on some. The TI C135 literally cut through everything, including skin. I had a small pimple which it glided through...

Can someone explain this to me as I'm befuddled.

Pleased with the razor? Did you enjoy the maple candy?

 

[mouscacha]

Definitely pleased with the Razor! So much so, that it caused me to write this thread!!!

And yes, the maple candy was VERY good! Too bad my wife and kids didn't get a taste ^.^

 

[Poulin]

Definitely pleased with the Razor! So much so, that it caused me to write this thread!!!

And yes, the maple candy was VERY good! Too bad my wife and kids didn't get a taste ^.^

If you place an order again in the future for anything remind me to send along candies for wife and kids.