Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 19
Like Tree19Likes

Thread: pro,s &con.s for the smiley

  1. #1
    Junior Member graveyard's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Posts
    22
    Thanked: 1

    Question pro,s &con.s for the smiley

    i wish to know everyone opinion.s a strait ( flat ) edge ore smiley & way do i not see more of them ?
    i find a need ill find a way

  2. #2
    Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    South Bend, Indiana
    Posts
    48
    Thanked: 8

    Default

    Never used a smile but I read something about them reaching some of the hollows a bit better. Would love to hear others thoughts about them.

  3. #3
    lobeless earcutter's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    4,864
    Thanked: 762

    Default

    I think the theory behind the smiling razor is the same one thought through with swords - in that when the blade is "bent" it slices better making it more of an efficient cutter.

    This action can be replicated with a straight spine. Though, there is only so much real-estate on the face before "push" cutting is called for.

    Personally speaking, at the levels we hone our blades, I feel the theory behind the smile is redundant BUT, many swear by them claiming they give a more comfortable shave. And I can see that. It does however add another dimension (learning curve) to the shave.


    And yes, the smile would surely help getting into the hollows were a gent know what he's doing.

    Besides all that - the reason I like em - is cuz they look cool lol!!
    Walterbowens likes this.
    David

  4. #4
    Senior Member JSmith1983's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Menominee,MI
    Posts
    1,624
    Thanked: 325

    Default

    A lot of the razors that I use have a smile to them and most of the ones that I have honed had a smile. It has been mentioned before that the old barbers manuals actually taught to hone towards a smile. A smile or a straight edge edge shave the same to me, but I tend to like the smile more. Seems like it adds a scything stroke without actually having to do one and I tend to not fillet my face or pierce my ear with a smile. As long as your razor has a smile or straight edge instead of a frown it will do what it is supposed to do. I comes down to the hands that are using the razor.

  5. #5
    Senior Member blabbermouth edhewitt's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    Perth Australia
    Posts
    7,741
    Thanked: 713
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default

    I definately find shaving my neck easier with a smile.
    Bread and water can so easily become tea and toast

  6. #6
    Huh... Oh here pfries's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Tri-Cities TN
    Posts
    2,270
    Thanked: 358

    Default

    None of mine have a heavy smile but they all bring a smile to my face.
    Scything helps, as well as learning to use the heal of the blade.
    Still love the look and will eventually have one of the big smiling blades.
    It is just Whisker Whacking
    Relax and Enjoy!
     



  7. #7
    The Great & Powerful Oz onimaru55's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    Bodalla, NSW
    Posts
    15,595
    Thanked: 3747

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by JSmith1983 View Post
    It has been mentioned before that the old barbers manuals actually taught to hone towards a smile.
    This is because if you try to hone a razor dead straight it will tend to frown. On the other foot, a shorter 2" kamisori blade can be kept straight. Maybe the blade geometry
    “The white gleam of swords, not the black ink of books, clears doubts and uncertainties and bleak outlooks.”

  8. #8
    Senior Member blabbermouth
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Portland, OR
    Posts
    2,697
    Thanked: 830
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default

    I'm in the smiley camp. One of JimmyHAD's links to an old barber's manual spoke of how a frowning blade would pull & cause irritation. It never said the obvious - that the smile would be less irritating. I particualrly like them for the concave surfaces between the bottom of the jawbone & the neck. That said - I'll let someone else argue with success. If you fine the straight edge easier to wield - don't let anyone talk you out of it.
    Substance likes this.

  9. #9
    Senior Member blabbermouth Substance's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Gladstone QLD AUSTRALIA
    Posts
    3,245
    Thanked: 804

    Default

    gotta agree I find the Smiling blades get a smoother finish easier for me also
    (just a test to hone them still for me)
    Saved,
    to shave another day.

  10. #10
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    Loughborough UK
    Posts
    395
    Thanked: 129

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by edhewitt View Post
    I definately find shaving my neck easier with a smile.
    I always smile while I'm shaving!
    onimaru55 and JSmith1983 like this.

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •