06-22-2019, 09:24 AM
(This post was last modified: 06-22-2019, 09:42 AM by Mark Reich.)
The only thing I might contribute the sharper post shaving reading to would be that a layer of oxide was worn off during shaving. I probably didn't describe it thoroughly enough. The toe and heel were sharpest pre-shaving, and didn't dent as often. I still got the sharpest readings in the same places, so I'd say the measurements really didn't drop as dramatically as it may have sounded. Also, it's impossible to say whether the edge was denting slightly on Any of the higher pre-shave measurements.
From my limited experience, it seems like my beard doesn't really dull a straight razor much at all. In other words, steel trumps whiskers handily. We know oxidation is a significant factor in all blades. I believe KG found the same thing in stainless knives, and it was pretty significant.
Edge failure rate on this razor was at least 50%. I don't know why the middle of the blade suffered the highest rate, but I didn't get many good measurements post shave, and practically none in the middle section. I think the major cause of edge failure is due to the thinness of the blade. It only measures .008 behind the edge!
I think it's fair to say human error could have played a significant role. I was more in a hurry than concentrating on perfect measuring technique. I have to admit I haven't had much practice on my PT50 in quite a while. I can imagine the margin for error on a straight razor could be very small.
I'm going to scrub the dents out of the blade, then add a layer of tape to the spine when I refine the edge. I'll go back to using the KN-100 type razor machine when I measure this razor again, then I'll see if I get the same readings on the PT50.
From my limited experience, it seems like my beard doesn't really dull a straight razor much at all. In other words, steel trumps whiskers handily. We know oxidation is a significant factor in all blades. I believe KG found the same thing in stainless knives, and it was pretty significant.
Edge failure rate on this razor was at least 50%. I don't know why the middle of the blade suffered the highest rate, but I didn't get many good measurements post shave, and practically none in the middle section. I think the major cause of edge failure is due to the thinness of the blade. It only measures .008 behind the edge!
I think it's fair to say human error could have played a significant role. I was more in a hurry than concentrating on perfect measuring technique. I have to admit I haven't had much practice on my PT50 in quite a while. I can imagine the margin for error on a straight razor could be very small.
I'm going to scrub the dents out of the blade, then add a layer of tape to the spine when I refine the edge. I'll go back to using the KN-100 type razor machine when I measure this razor again, then I'll see if I get the same readings on the PT50.