Thread: The great experiment

Originally Posted by Haroldg48

I think proves the "learning curve" theory -- suggesting that beginners, or anyone who is struggling would do best to stick with one blade shave after shave.

thanks for the updates mate,
reading this re-affirms my own current change in rotation method, as for the last 3 months I have changed from changing razors for each shave to using 1 blade for a full week, which is generally 3-4 shaves then moving to the next Str8 just to get to appreciate each blade better.


keep up the good work, I look forward to the rest of your feed back on each blade

Originally Posted by Haroldg48

So as promised, to answer any curiosity you might have about what gems Tom has lent me to try, they are:

* A Manhattan in stag scales
* A Wade and Butcher heavy full hollow with 3 silver "dots" inlaid in the scale (shown below)
* A W&B FBU heavy blade (1/2 hollow?)
* A Mother of Pearl scaled Henckel smiler
* A frameback Sterling silver Tally Ho
* An Ivory scaled Ellliott
* And a huge (long) Filarmonica full hollow

Yesterday was shave 3 with the W&B which looks to be full hollow but is HEAVY -- 7/8 with a spine that is a tad more than 1/4" across. Again I got a great shave...actually better than my first shave with this one, which I think proves the "learning curve" theory -- suggesting that beginners, or anyone who is struggling would do best to stick with one blade shave after shave. I was surprised that this one, although pretty hollow a big blade, need more angle from my face than usual. I definitely got better as I went along.

I had the same observation on that one, Harold! I am most positive it began life as a huge wedge which was reground quite finely as the 5/16 spine and stabilizers seem to tell the tale. Funny how the grind of a razor means little as shaving angle when it's roots are from a far different animal. Definitely some good weight left in that blade.
Knocking them down! Hands-on is best!

What a great idea for a thread Harold...and Kudos to Tom for helping out with the experiment. Tom!

I think your idea to shave with the same razor several times to really get a feel for it has a lot of merit, and really lends itself towards helping you ultimately decide what type of blade/grind/size you're most comfortable with.

The only problem with that concept is that if you turn out to be like me, you'll end up really liking something about every blade, and then you'll have no choice but to aggressively embark on 'collecting' shavers of every size, shape and description!

It's a dangerous road my friend...

Originally Posted by Wolfpack34

The only problem with that concept is that if you turn out to be like me, you'll end up really liking something about every blade, and then you'll have no choice but to aggressively embark on 'collecting' shavers of every size, shape and description!

It's a dangerous road my friend...

And it's an icy downhill road, and I'm on it

Originally Posted by Wolfpack34

What a great idea for a thread Harold...and Kudos to Tom for helping out with the experiment. Tom!

I think your idea to shave with the same razor several times to really get a feel for it has a lot of merit, and really lends itself towards helping you ultimately decide what type of blade/grind/size you're most comfortable with.

The only problem with that concept is that if you turn out to be like me, you'll end up really liking something about every blade, and then you'll have no choice but to aggressively embark on 'collecting' shavers of every size, shape and description!

It's a dangerous road my friend...

Originally Posted by Haroldg48

And it's an icy downhill road, and I'm on it

Ahhhh. I could poo-poo all that talk! I say if you like 'em all, get 'em all! Go for it!
What? Waiting till you are 90?

Harold is into vintage razors, he told me. .......No more are being made.
Time to see what he wants and to seek them out.

He COULD be like Mike (Heaven Forbid), or not.
Poor guys. I feel for them!

Originally Posted by sharptonn

........He COULD be like Mike (Heaven Forbid)...

Heaven forbid indeed!

Nothin wrong with bein like Mike..
just sayin..


Really enjoyin the journal Harold. That Manhattan looks like a unique grip. Personally I love the look..Tom did a fine job of pairing that one up indeed.

OK, so I had shied away from shaving a 2d time with the Sterling Tally Ho frame-back because it is the one I struggled with the most on my first try with it. Man it is beautiful, but like many beautiful things (cars, women, etc.) needs special handling.

I had never used a frame-back, and since the blade seemed on the hollow side, I kept the spine close to my face...didn't work, and I wound up doing a bunch of passes to get a decent shave -- not comfortable. Also Tom makes his pivots tight, and with the tightness and the profile of the heel, I managed a nice slice in my left thumb when I tried to change my grip by pushing with my thumb.

This shave, I used a wider angle, modified my usual grips some because of the balance of this beauty, and got a comfortable 2 pass DFS. Not my favorite so far, but good.

I don't think my pictures can do it justice(it has great engraving on the blade), but I've attached them anyway, while it rested after a serious progressive stropping session, pre-shave.

Originally Posted by Wolfpack34

Heaven forbid indeed!

I like what I know of Mike

Originally Posted by Haroldg48

I like what I know of Mike

Indeed, 'Mikey likes it' takes on a whole new meaning on this forum!

Harold, that type of razor (which I, personally, call a faux-frameback) Does indeed take some adjustments. The blade is very light, yet has the size associated with heavier blades, by a big margin, IMO. It seems a bit of pushing has always been required for me, first pass, on a heavy beard as the weight is not there to stabilize and back up the stroke, so to speak.

Also, the thin tang can be awkward, half as thick (or less) than a normal Sheffield of this width. Not nearly as much to hold onto and much different as changing angles, I think.

While being thin, it is not so much hollow ground, but actually represents a wedge grind with 1/3 the weight (at least in my eye).

These things have turned me off about them several times, yet I suppose I have been a bit lazy in the pursuit of conquering them.

This, combined with those light scales, means the blade should be extremely sharp, I think.
Perhaps the situation will improve with more stropping and adjusting?