Thread: vintage vs. modern

My question may sound dumb but im curious. Why do vintage razors have a sleek rounded curvy design and some of the custom new razors look square and clunky? Maybe my description is off im talking about mainly custom blades ive seen. They are mostly wedge shaped and very square on the spine and tang . Is this on purpose or just equipment limitations?

The system of apprenticeship and hands-on skills passed down for hundreds of years developed techniques and styles, mostly lost as Gillette took over. The old master grinders are gone. These days, the new crop of makers are mostly stamping out clone after clone.
The old ways are being somewhat resurrected by custom makers, however, their interpretations are sometimes limited to their abilities and preferences. Perfect hollow grinding used to be commonplace. Now, a handfull can accomplish what the old grinders did all day long.
Apprentices working beside a master all day is rare, I think. Developed skills are not passed on and improved upon like in the old days.
JMHO

Yes I think the tendency of semi-custom blades is to lean towards that geometry.
But a lot of the new production like Revisor, Dovo, etc seem pretty traditional?
But ditto to want tom said - not taking design into account, apprenticeship seems to be a dying method of learning, at least in the states.

That makes sense i meant no offense to new craftsmen I was only wondering about the design difference ive never used a newer custom razor im sure they shave great

To me straights should look like the vintage ones do. I addition to to what has been already said tastes have changed in styles wanted too. Custom razors cater to that demand.

Bob

Custom makers come in all levels of skill and with a variety in desgn-prefs.
In addition to that, the customers wants dictate many of the designs we see posted here.

I have customs that looks just like say a 1870's Solingen, a 1825 Sheffield or other designs from the years gone by.
And some that are more "modern" looking with more filework and such.
It's all good, variety is the spice of life.

Seems many of those ordering custom razors today grew up playing dungeons and dragons, and want something resembling a medieval battle ax. For me, maybe 'cause I'm an old guy, I prefer a slight smile of the spine, and a corresponding profile of the blade. The spine muted rather than pointed like the other end.

OTOH, custom makers are responding to what the market demands. I've spoken to custom makers, asking why it seems everything they make is 7/8 or larger ? The answer is invariably because that is what their customers want. I guess the end user feels, if they are paying the price for a custom, they will be getting more for their money with an 8/8 than a 6/8. Even though, for me anyway, the 6/8 is more comfortable to shave with than the larger cousin.

In consideration of the OP's question is that the modern(?)designs are very much influenced by contemporary design in other fields. Do not forget comics and Manga. If a razor is pleasant to use and holds a good edge, why not?
If one looks at the "Custom" knife business, many of them could never be used for anything but waving about and yelling "Mine is bigger than yours!" However there are some folks doing wonderful work on "Users." I think in some cases the razor business is also a bit that way and investment overcomes usefulness
~Richard

I'm finding that I like the old British type of razors more than the German styling. I'm not too fond of a lot of the newer custom makes , but I have not shaved with one of them as of yet. If it shaves well , I'll use it. 8)

It is all personal preference when it comes to what design of straight you like and what works for the individual. That said, personally the classic straight has the elegance of a rapier compared to a lot of the customs I have seen which remind me of a chromed boarding cutlass with fins. I have no qualms about using more modern steels and modern materials for scales but for me that has to be melded into a classic design. OTH as has been said repeatedly each to their own, it is all good.

Bob