@Pbgoose I'm glad you have found the Kapton to be a good addition to your honing. It is extremely thin [0.04mm] and staggeringly tough even on coarse grit hones.
I marvel at the number of shaves people report from their DE's, GEM and straights. I used to average about 2 for a DE [usually a single shave] 3-4 from a GEM and about 3 - 5 from a straight. Those numbers are me personally before I detect a change in performance with correct prep and lather. All of the razor types can be made to give more shaves per blade by "pushing through" A less than pristene blade is the one I find most likely to nick, cut or give irritation. There is no substitute for a non tugging and smooth whisker removal shave regardless of the blade type used. I find that even with linen and leather stropping an edge can deteriorate quickly, not in terms of sharpness but certainly smoothness. I have honed blades for others that have been used for weeks or more and under a loupe the edge looks like a serrated knife, yet all they say is the blade is a bit tuggy. I cringe at some of the edges considered suitable for shaving. The shave is more than just cutting off the whiskers. With a straight in particular there is exfoliation and if the edge is damaged you do run the risk of removing more than dead skin cells and micro abrading your face in those sensitive areas leading to a prickly or irritate skin.
I'm not saying you cannot get 1000 shaves out of a Derby green if that is your fiscal desire.
There is however an optimum for all blades in sharpness and smoothness. Beyond that optimum is a wasteland of blood and tears
My opinions only of course.
Steve
