As the title suggests I am interested in the functional benefit, if any, of a folding type razor over a fixed handle razor. Apart from the safety of the blade stored within the handle is there any arguments for one over the other?
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As the title suggests I am interested in the functional benefit, if any, of a folding type razor over a fixed handle razor. Apart from the safety of the blade stored within the handle is there any arguments for one over the other?
Just IMHO, the ability to fold the handle, straighten it, or holding it somewhere in between when I'm shaving is mighty handy. Full disclosure, I've never had a fixed straight razor, or shaved with anyone else's. Every time I see one I feel like the fellow who made it forgot something. :)
Are you referring to a Kamisori? If so, the traditional grind is different, and therefore uses a different technique to shave and hone. Though each have their fans, not sure one is better than the other, but just different.
I was more thinking a traditional straight razor just with a fixed handle. I have seen very old English variations like that just wasn't sure if they would be more difficult to shave with.
I really like the look of fixed styles.
USA custom razor maker Robert Williams makes just that. Calls it The Purist and a lot of guys seem to like it. I think Charlie Lewis might make one, Mastro Livi ....... they are out there and, matter of fact, if memory serves I'm pretty sure Bruno has made one or more.
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Oh yes! Charlie Lewis indeed makes one! ;) And a fine one at that! Took one pass to get the hang of it!
What I have found is that it's a preference thing. Actually, the folders are WAY easier to store & take up less room as if you safely store a fixed razor you will have a base for each one unless you make a custom one for yourself. I don't know about a kamisori though as I have never used one or had one in my hands.
Scott speaks the truth. You cannot just toss one in a drawer! :nono:
I expressed my concerns of storage to Charlie, sent it back to him and he made me a nice box!
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I am glad I decided on making a pic of these three that I have...my two have some spots of rust that will take some elbow grease to get out...I'm talking sandpaper.
I use both and find the scaled version very much easier to use. With the scales at 90 degrees I notice that the fingers either side have far greater control than having the same hand position on a fixed.
I've found I got used to the fixed versions I have (one from Bruno, one from Stu (str8raz0r) - a custom maker here in Brisbane) and eventually learned to manoeuvre and strop them as easily as a scaled razor.
The big difference I've noticed between fixed and scaled is angle control. With a scaled razor the scales are held between your ring and (pinky or middle) finger, and this 1. physically limits the amount by which the shave angle can accidentally change (e.g. slippery hands) and 2. gives more deliberate control over the angle when shaving.
With a fixed razor you are relying entirely on (potentially slippery) finger and hand grip to control the angle and IMO there's much more potential for that razor to twist in the hand if, for example, it gets a bit hung up in beard during the shave.
Frankly I think a razor maker needs to have the "traditional" scaled razor in their repertoire eventually.
James.
Sigh.......Dry your hands, cobber. Dry em! :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Jimbo
What is the difference between the razors shown in this thread and a kamisori? Is it just the grind ?
For the first 6 months of my straight shaving journey, I almost exclusively learned using a Feather Artist Club SS replaceable blade, fixed handle razor. The shorter 2 inch (50 mm) blade and the fixed handle made it very nimble, easy to maneuver around all the critical contours. One soon learns the similiar but different grips to use. I found the fixed handle as easy to use as I later learned for regular folded razors.
The problem is storage. For the Artist Club SS shavette, I simply removed, cleaned the blade and stored the blade in a small container of oil between shaves. But for fixed blade kamisori style razors, a storage holder or box is necessary to protect the blade and for personal safety.
I always got close comfortable shaves from the Feather Artist Club SS razor but after my first 6 months, I switched to regular folded razors and found them more fun because of the vast variety of size, grinds, scales, blade designs of both new and vintage razors, along with the nostalgia of using razors with a long history of tradition.
These are some of the ones I made:Quote:
Originally Posted by JimmyHAD
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Something as sharp as a razor should be sheathed in some way IMO. I never walk about with my razors open, I have learnt from experience.
I really like that. The size and shape of the blade look like it would be very practical and easy to use.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruno
