Thread: What would one expect from a better razor?

There are differences in Steels, Grinds, Hardening and Tempering.. besides all the differences that are only skin deep.. Weight and Balance also play a role in shaving comfort..


These differences are what fuels the chase to own "Wow" razors, luckily they are not equal to all faces..


My version of the perfect razor might not be the same as yours, which makes this sport more interesting all the time, because there is no "Universal Best Razor"

If there was an "Universal Best Razor", SOTD would be really boring.

There are "better" steels and alloys but the differences become diminishing as "quality" increases. However there are "lesser" steels and the differences are not trivial.

As others have pointed out, there are features that are important to some and there are ornamentations that offer nothing to the (blind) shave experience, but perhaps offer quite a bit to the ownership experience.

There can also be a downside to "better" materials in that they may require more care. Notable examples might be very hard O-1 steel, while I like it, some have reported added time/difficulty honing it. Another example would be ivory handles...if not properly cared for (and even if properly cared for sometimes) it will crack. Yet another example would be etching or gold wash.

You might want to try a different grind.

I find with some extra hollow razors, I can get a closer shave than with a heavier grind like a half hollow. For my beard type, an extra hollow with some heft, 6/8 or more can really contour the face very nicely and remove the stubborn stubble, especially when going across the grain .

dovo makes all carbon steel blades such as the best quality out of the same metal. as a matter of fact you cant tell what razor it will be until the etching begins. my best quality and my black star behave the exact same way. however if your beard is particularly tough you may want a stainless steel blade. theyre more difficult to hone and strop(requiring more passes) but the dull slower due to the increased hardness.

Originally Posted by Otto

If there was an "Universal Best Razor", SOTD would be really boring.

I agree. The wonderful diversity we have of razors whether currently made or treasures of the past is amazing. This also applies to soaps or creams, strops and hones, etc. If it were not for this SRP would not have existed this long and have been such a wonderful place to share and learn.