what would a rounded edge feel like while shaving?
It is a very gradual change. It is an edge that feels smooth but is looses its ability to cut well. If the edge feels harsh, and it was not originally that way, then you likely have a breakdown of the edge at the apex. This would look very toothy on one of my microscope photos.
I think I need to start by picking up a finishing stone so that I can try to touch up my own edges.
Another thing you can do is to take some worn, clean denim (cut from an old pair of jeans), stretch it over a 2x4 and apply a light amount of green chromium oxide paste. Then, about every 10 shaves, or so, do 20-30 stropping laps on this "loaded" strop. This will significantly extend the time between honings on your razors.
I think it is mostly a combination of steel and technique. While beard hair diameter may vary greatly, I bet shear resistance has a very narrow distribution.
You can typically get about 30 - 40 shaves on a good edge on good steel, but you do have to adapt to the edge as it gets less keen. Stropping can work against you if you are using heavier pressure. It will round the edge. All that said, except for AA challenges, I find myself refreshing edges after 10 to 15 shaves. This is definitely excessive, but here at Hones-R-Us, I need to keep busy.
Brush: Elite Razor Honduran Rosewood Burl 24mm HMW Fan
Razor: Ale 7/8 Full Hollow Spanish Point
Lather: Areffa Soap - August Moon - Soap
Toner: Thayers - Cucumber - Toner
Aftershave: Areffa Soap - August Moon - Aftershave
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
Great test shave with this Ale razor. This was my second use of Areffa Soap August Moon. This has a wonderful soap base (bear tallow) and has a subtle fragrance which opens up beautifully as you use it.
Razor: Thiers Issard Sheffield Best Silver Steel 6/8 Hollow Ground Round Point
Lather: Elysian Soap Shop - El Dorado - Soap
Toner: Thayers - Coconut - Toner
Aftershave: Elysian Soap Shop - El Dorado - Aftershave
Fragrance: Elysian Soap Shop - El Dorado - Eau de Parfum
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
This was a test shave of the edge that I created on this Thiers Issard razor using a Nakayama Japanese natural stone. I was very pleased with the result.
The River Razor 6/8 has a slightly large bevel angle (19 degrees) and I have not had the type of shave that I hoped to have with it. Today, I tried preparing the razor with a Jnat edge (for softness), and using the same "soft touch" technique that I used yesterday with the 22 degree Thiers Issard razor. I'm thrilled to learn that this technique also worked with my River Razor. I may have just learned how to shave.
I did a little research on this a while back and donāt recall if there is a precise definition. Most people seem to lay the razor down on a measuring tape and measure the distance from the apex to the top of the spine at the center of the razor. I measure the distance from the apex to the grind line on the spine because that is part of the bevel angle calculation.
The EdP is a must-have imo. You get all the complexity of the scent that is not present in the soap or splash. Iām always surprised by how good it is.
Ok, hereās (probably) more than you want to know š. An edge is made up of two (bevel) surfaces that come together (intersect) to form a line. This is almost always drawn as two lines that come together at a point (the apex) showing two sides of a triangle.
In cutting, you achieve more precision by narrowing that triangle; think about the difference between an axe and a scalpel.
We call the angle between the two sides the bevel angle. On a straight razor that angle is determined by the width of the spine and the height of the blade.
Generally speaking, smaller angles are better for shaving. Most straight razors that Iāve measured have a bevel angle between 15 and 18 degrees. The challenge I had with this razor, which had a bevel angle of 22 degrees, was, āhow can I get it to shave well?ā.
Wet shaving turns out to be a terrific hobby and thereās a whole world of safety razors (DE and SE), soaps, splashes, etc. to explore. Straight razors are another rabbit hole to go down within the hobby.
Brush: Wild West Brushworks Blue Space 26mm Cashmere
Razor: Thiers Issard Le Petit FranƧais 5/8 Hollow Ground Round Point
Lather: Noble Otter - Monarch - Soap
Toner: Thayers - Cucumber - Toner
Aftershave: Noble Otter - Monarch - Aftershave
Talc: Pinaud Clubman Finest Powder
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
This Le Petit FranƧais razor has over a 22 degree bevel angle. And it is a new razor! It was sent to me to have a new edge put on it. I chose to use a Jnat to create the edge with that Jnat softness, and then I tried a new technique while shaving to deal with the wide angle. This was very successful for me, and I very much hope that it works for others.
I picked Monarch because its fragrance is modeled on a French market. I thought that was fitting to go with the French razor. Surprisingly great shave today!
That's right. I'll go with Sea Spice Lime for that hit of lime, and I'll forego all that WS-23 š
I post to whichever is convenient that day. I find Lemmy to be easier to upload images to. Is that a capability on the PieFed server now?
Then you probably have been.
It is a very gradual change. It is an edge that feels smooth but is looses its ability to cut well. If the edge feels harsh, and it was not originally that way, then you likely have a breakdown of the edge at the apex. This would look very toothy on one of my microscope photos.
Another thing you can do is to take some worn, clean denim (cut from an old pair of jeans), stretch it over a 2x4 and apply a light amount of green chromium oxide paste. Then, about every 10 shaves, or so, do 20-30 stropping laps on this "loaded" strop. This will significantly extend the time between honings on your razors.
I have no idea what to do if I'm not busy š¤
I think it is mostly a combination of steel and technique. While beard hair diameter may vary greatly, I bet shear resistance has a very narrow distribution.
You can typically get about 30 - 40 shaves on a good edge on good steel, but you do have to adapt to the edge as it gets less keen. Stropping can work against you if you are using heavier pressure. It will round the edge. All that said, except for AA challenges, I find myself refreshing edges after 10 to 15 shaves. This is definitely excessive, but here at Hones-R-Us, I need to keep busy.
January 14, 2026
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
Great test shave with this Ale razor. This was my second use of Areffa Soap August Moon. This has a wonderful soap base (bear tallow) and has a subtle fragrance which opens up beautifully as you use it.
video
January 12, 2026
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
This was a test shave of the edge that I created on this Thiers Issard razor using a Nakayama Japanese natural stone. I was very pleased with the result.
video
January 11, 2026
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
Close comfortable shave. No nicks or irritation.
As of this evening's shave I've decided all this fuss about bevel angle (self-generated) is overrated š
January 10, 2026
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
The River Razor 6/8 has a slightly large bevel angle (19 degrees) and I have not had the type of shave that I hoped to have with it. Today, I tried preparing the razor with a Jnat edge (for softness), and using the same "soft touch" technique that I used yesterday with the 22 degree Thiers Issard razor. I'm thrilled to learn that this technique also worked with my River Razor. I may have just learned how to shave.
Shave video
Ahhh the headache excuse ...
I guarantee you that you can!
I did a little research on this a while back and donāt recall if there is a precise definition. Most people seem to lay the razor down on a measuring tape and measure the distance from the apex to the top of the spine at the center of the razor. I measure the distance from the apex to the grind line on the spine because that is part of the bevel angle calculation.
The EdP is a must-have imo. You get all the complexity of the scent that is not present in the soap or splash. Iām always surprised by how good it is.
It certainly is! š
Ok, hereās (probably) more than you want to know š. An edge is made up of two (bevel) surfaces that come together (intersect) to form a line. This is almost always drawn as two lines that come together at a point (the apex) showing two sides of a triangle.
In cutting, you achieve more precision by narrowing that triangle; think about the difference between an axe and a scalpel.
We call the angle between the two sides the bevel angle. On a straight razor that angle is determined by the width of the spine and the height of the blade.
Generally speaking, smaller angles are better for shaving. Most straight razors that Iāve measured have a bevel angle between 15 and 18 degrees. The challenge I had with this razor, which had a bevel angle of 22 degrees, was, āhow can I get it to shave well?ā.
Wet shaving turns out to be a terrific hobby and thereās a whole world of safety razors (DE and SE), soaps, splashes, etc. to explore. Straight razors are another rabbit hole to go down within the hobby.
I love that pattern of one soap per week. I would have to seriously thin my collection in order to do that.
January 9, 2026
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
This Le Petit FranƧais razor has over a 22 degree bevel angle. And it is a new razor! It was sent to me to have a new edge put on it. I chose to use a Jnat to create the edge with that Jnat softness, and then I tried a new technique while shaving to deal with the wide angle. This was very successful for me, and I very much hope that it works for others.
I picked Monarch because its fragrance is modeled on a French market. I thought that was fitting to go with the French razor. Surprisingly great shave today!
Shave video
š
He has been living there for almost 5 years now.