I've never really been all that impressed with Feather blades, and I'm referring to the DE blades as well as the Pro blades for the Kami and AC types. All I really get from the pro blades is irritation actually. The DE Feather blades fair better in that regard by not by enough for it to matter. Both types hang up on the trouble whiskers I'm blessed with in a few spots. But I know some people think they're great or amazing or whatever - that's cool - horses for courses.
On the other hand, on a daily basis I shave with a traditional straight that I hone here and my shaves are ridiculously on-point, they last a good 24 hr and I am for want of nothing more from the edges. I do push edges sometimes, just because and because I can. But that is the exception, not the rule and it's never ever really neccessary. Honestly, edges tuned up on submicron particles do not shave me 'better' - they just shave 'differently'. I don't get closer shaves or longer lasting shaves when I use them.
Sharpness is a simple topic but it means a lot of different things. If "Edge Width" is the main criteria, then a mass produced DE type of blade is, most likely, going to win that score most of the time.
But EW is not the only criteria that matters, well - to me anyway. Which is why I get better shaves from a straight than I do from a DE or a Feather or a Weck or whatever.
I consider this; my Applegate folder can slit flesh effortlessly. But if tried to cut a loaf of soft white bread with it, the loaf would squash into a hot mess. If I take out my $5 serrated 'Frugal Gourmet' bread knife, I can slice that bread up like there's no tomorrow.
So which knife is sharper - my Applegate or my *** serrated bread knife?
Technique, lather, etc - all that can factor in too. I honestly think that a lot of crappy shaves that get blamed on edges are really the result of bad lathering technique. But that's just a suspicion.
When I first started shaving with a straight, most edges felt 'dull' - even some done on .25 µm diamond.Eventually, I started to figure things out and my shaves improved.
Bart used to talk about not needing to only rely on edge 'sharpness' to get a great shave; it took a while but eventually I dialed into what he was saying. Sure, the edge needs to be sharp, of course it does. But there's a lot more to all of this stuff than just one point of focus. At least, that's how I look at it.
On the other hand, on a daily basis I shave with a traditional straight that I hone here and my shaves are ridiculously on-point, they last a good 24 hr and I am for want of nothing more from the edges. I do push edges sometimes, just because and because I can. But that is the exception, not the rule and it's never ever really neccessary. Honestly, edges tuned up on submicron particles do not shave me 'better' - they just shave 'differently'. I don't get closer shaves or longer lasting shaves when I use them.
Sharpness is a simple topic but it means a lot of different things. If "Edge Width" is the main criteria, then a mass produced DE type of blade is, most likely, going to win that score most of the time.
But EW is not the only criteria that matters, well - to me anyway. Which is why I get better shaves from a straight than I do from a DE or a Feather or a Weck or whatever.
I consider this; my Applegate folder can slit flesh effortlessly. But if tried to cut a loaf of soft white bread with it, the loaf would squash into a hot mess. If I take out my $5 serrated 'Frugal Gourmet' bread knife, I can slice that bread up like there's no tomorrow.
So which knife is sharper - my Applegate or my *** serrated bread knife?
Technique, lather, etc - all that can factor in too. I honestly think that a lot of crappy shaves that get blamed on edges are really the result of bad lathering technique. But that's just a suspicion.
When I first started shaving with a straight, most edges felt 'dull' - even some done on .25 µm diamond.Eventually, I started to figure things out and my shaves improved.
Bart used to talk about not needing to only rely on edge 'sharpness' to get a great shave; it took a while but eventually I dialed into what he was saying. Sure, the edge needs to be sharp, of course it does. But there's a lot more to all of this stuff than just one point of focus. At least, that's how I look at it.
