Debate: Are straight razors actually sharper than safety razors or is that just hype?

I was reading this barber blog last night and they said a straight razor has an edge angle around 16 degrees while a safety razor is like 30 degrees. Supposedly that makes straight razors way sharper for detail work. But then I thought, doesn't a fresh safety blade cut cleaner since it's brand new every time? I've been using a straight for 6 months on fades and it feels smoother but I'm not sure about actual sharpness. What do you all think, is the angle thing real or just barber lore?

2 comments

2 Comments

ruby56115d ago

Wait, 16 degrees? That's way lower than I thought they could even hold an edge without chipping. I've been straight razor shaving for like two years now and I just trusted what my granddad told me about them being "just sharper, end of story." But honestly, a brand new Feather blade in my safety razor feels like it could split atoms, while even my best straight razor stropped on leather still tugs a little on thick spots. So maybe the angle thing is real for sharpness on paper, but in practice, the safety razor wins on consistent sharpness every single time since you're always using a fresh one. I mean, you just can't get a straight razor to that same level of factory-perfect edge without some serious honing skill, right?

james9215d ago

You raise a fair point about the new Feather blade feeling impossibly sharp. But I've found that a straight razor, honed properly on a finishing stone like a 12k grit, can actually cut those same hairs with less drag than a Feather if you use the right angle. It's the difference between a sharp edge and a smooth edge, and most guys never stick with honing long enough to figure that out.