Thread: building a straight razor quiver for first shaves

Cheetah here with todays first installment.

I just went through 30+ of my razors and picked out 5 that I thought would make for an interesting array of shaving experiences for me as a beginner. Factors that influenced the collection are size, style, width and shape of blade, age and manufacturer. I know some red flags are going to raised regarding thw width of the blade but I just love larger blades.

3/4 Packwood - near wedge
7/8 George Wostenhelm - faux frameback
7/8 Wade & Butcher The Celebrated Hollow Ground - half hollow
8/8 Wade & Butcher - wedge
8/8 Wade & Butcher Barbers Use - wedge

I am ready to send these out of restoration/ sharpening. I wanted to get peoples imput on my choices. there are lots of conversations on the forum about weight, degree of hollows and shaving with really old razors that I would like to be able to comment on.

Sorry it's alittle pic heavy but I want to give clear images so the debate can remain friendly..LOL

Oh I forgot. The last 2 W&B's have the most issues. The top one has pitting on the edge so that might be a problem of course. The Barbers Use has a slight frown so that might be an issue as well but if I have the frown honed out now then we should be good.

Thanks

Cheetah

The only thing you seem to be missing are a full hollow and an extra hollow.

Nice blades BTW.

Originally Posted by Theseus

The only thing you seem to be missing are a full hollow and an extra hollow.

Nice blades BTW.

I'd agree. Do you have 5/8 or 6/8 full or extra hollows to throw into the mix? They have a *really* different feel to the heavier grinds you have selected. I prefer the heavy ones but if you want a full spectrum experience, there should definitely be some lighter ones in the mix too IMHO.

I love that Packwood! Is it just me or does it look like something a Klingon would use?

Originally Posted by mapleleafalumnus

I love that Packwood! Is it just me or does it look like something a Klingon would use?

It totally does! But the thing I really love about Packwood razors is no one seems to know the first thing about them! Unless something has been dug up recently, I think even Manah is stumped. And if he doesn't know something about a razor I figure it is probably either not worth knowing, or simply unknowable!


I just thought of another suggestion: how about a 'real' frameback? I have never used a faux frameback so I don't know if there's much difference, but I'm sure there are plenty of folks here who will be able to tell you if they are sufficiently different to warrant another addition to the quiver.

I'd be willing to test these for you. I'm a beginner and could try them all out. I guarantee to give a full write up when I'm done with them in about 40 years.

Manah not know something about razors?!?!
HERESY!!!

Originally Posted by Cangooner

I'd agree. Do you have 5/8 or 6/8 full or extra hollows to throw into the mix? They have a *really* different feel to the heavier grinds you have selected. I prefer the heavy ones but if you want a full spectrum experience, there should definitely be some lighter ones in the mix too IMHO.

Let me see what I have. I know I have a french Arbenz that I a frameback but it's a 7/8's as well

http://straightrazorpalace.com/show-...-rootbeer.html

Originally Posted by cheetahmeatpheonix

Let me see what I have. I know I have a french Arbenz that I a frameback but it's a 7/8's as well

http://straightrazorpalace.com/show-...-rootbeer.html

Oh yeah, I'd throw that Arbenz into the mix too just on principle - that's a beaut!

Seriously, are we going to have to have a whipround to find you a small/midsize blade?