want to get a new razor

I don't really need a new razor, but I thought it would be nice to compare, have one that I could used to extend my honing cycles, and just have a really nice truly beautiful razor on top of my very cheap regular bought only to see if I'll like straight razor shaving, razor.

So I have a few questions on razors. I think it all boils down to weight, but just in case I'm wrong, I'm concerned with the hollowing and thickness of razors. I know razors were hollowed to make honing easier. So you don't have to take off metal for the whole width of the razor, just the tip. Now is the different hollowing, full, half, quarter........again only having to do with weight or something else?

Regarding the thickness of the razor, again I think it just has to do with weight, but maybe there is another advantage/reason for one over the other?

If I'm right I would think the heavier the better (as much as you can handle) because the heavier the greater the tendency to resist getting stuck, twisting in your hand...... Also the easier to hone I would think, because you have less effort to make sure its flush to the hone.

The spine work is something I am also thinking about, I'd like to get some really exaggerated spine work, but it looks like when you hone it'll cause some eccentricity. Should I be concerned here?

Lastly, I was perusing through the custom builds and restorations forum and there is some nice stuff there. Some of the guys make razors from scratch and they truly look like works of art. Are those pieces meant to be shaven with and if so do any of you know of any guys that'll take a custom build commission and is it worth it.

I am in the exact same boat as you. I have my "I'll see if I like straight razor shaving" razor and I want to get a much nicer one. I'll be waiting anxiously for some more knowledgeable people than me to comment. Thanks for the post.

If you hit up the vendor corner thread you will get a good idea of the guys that sell custom work....,personally I think Max's are BEAUTIFUL and I have one on order with him.

Knife,

I'm pleased to see that you want to add to your straight razor inventory.

You didn't reveal in your post whether or not you want to purchase a Vintage, New Old Stock or a New straight razor. I own and have used all three.

Nor did you say what the blade width of your razor was.

As for the grind of the blade...I prefer full or extra full hollow grind, but that's a personal choice. I could be wrong, but I don't think it has a lot of effect on the weight of the blade.

What I think impacts the weight of the razor is the width of the blade. I have used everything from 5/8" to 7/8" and 11/16" to 13/16". The wider blades, imho, tend to feel heavier. Therefore, you don't need to apply much pressure at all to the blade as you shave.

If I were you, I would wait until the Christmas season is upon us and get a new straight--either a Dovo or Boker--from Straight Razor Designs. Lynn and Don have had a lifetime honing offer the last two Christmas seasons, which I took advantage of.

Just my 2 cents.

Take care--and smooth shaving. Whatever you choose to do will be just fine.

Dear Knife (or whatever your real name is)

All custom razors you see here on SRP is made for shaving of course!

Different grinds have way different feels on your face, and you can find heavy(ish) full hollows if you want to.
If you have troubles with razors getting stuck(wtf?) and twisting in your hands, the problem is your technique, not the razor. I use anything from a lightweight tiny shavette to a heavy wedge, no problemo....

Knife,

If you look at the wiki page, there is a list of custom razor makers there. From what I have seen Max Spreecher, Charlie Lewis, Brian Brown, and Robert Williams are all currently active in custom making right now. I also believe if you can dream it, one of these guys can make it. I just got a Robert Williams "Purist". I lucked out on it, when I emailed him, he was in the middle of making one that a customer backed out of, so I got it fairly quickly. If going the custom route, be aware of the wait time, no instant gratification with this endeavor. Remember these are not manufactured razors, each one is hand made, and there is never an equal.

As far as size, 7/8+ seems to be the popular route most take. As for why, I don't know yet, still new myself to all this. I am also planning on another custom of my own design, just waiting for the holidays to be over with and saving up some cash. Hope this helps a little.

Tomnat - glad to help

Benjaman - I only know people by their handle, who is Max? Also it'd be nice if these custom makers would have a sort of listing of their works of art.

Jhenry - I want a custom build, if possible by my drawn out (as in sketch) spelled out specifications. My blade width I believe is 5/8.

Blix - I guess you want to know my name, Oscar. Thanks for the info. Also I meant the tendency to get stuck and twist, and it really isnt any issue I just figured the heavier the easier it is to shave, which Jhenry seems to agree. Can you give me an idea of the different feels, different grinds give?

Tattooface - that purist razor look nice, how hard its it to get one, as in how long do you have to wait? As for a totally custom, if you dream it they can make it razor, what do they usually go for? I know it depends on the intricacy of the piece, but just say a typical custom build, price and time?

All - I was on Thiers-Issard's website and they seem to have their own names for points. They call what looks to me like a french or spanish point a inclined nose and dreadnought point respectively. Is this just what TI calls them or are there more points then what in the wiki.

What's the question?

Is there a limit?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Knife

Is there a limit?

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Only what your wallet and SWMBO will allow. :)

I like a blade heavy edge, but you have to be careful that you aren't relying on the weight of the blade to overcome the discipline required for a perfect straight shave. I would lean to heavier and taller razors, like 7/8 over smaller blades like 3 and 4 8ths. Shaving with a heavy 8/8 razor seems weird but I know it's not really the limit. I know a guy with a 12/8 and he rarely uses it. I used to have a sport bike. No one ever suggested that it was too much, but I never rode it. Now I ride a Chopper. No one thinks of it as too much either, but I ride it all the time.

So, no razor is too much, but once you don't enjoy shaving with them then you've reached the ( your ) limit.

Knife,

I don't know about others, but Robert Williams has about a Nine Month back log. I would assume others are simillar in that they make each one by hand. The Purist was $375.00, Charlie Lewis blades go from $500 to $700 on straight razor designs. So as far as cost, the only person that can tell you that is the individual craftsman. Again with customs they tend to be 7/8 + in blade width from what. I have seen on of the customs.
Each blade smith will work with you on your design, all the way down to the fine details (blade length, width, type of material, point styles, jimps, spine work, scales, etc.) You will get what you pay for.

This event is what I'm waiting for. I missed it last year but won't miss it again.