Thread: The great experiment

Originally Posted by Razorfeld

You just answered your own question.

So true. I tripped across a post I made in another thread some months ago where I said I wish it were still possible to walk into a shop and handle a bunch of razors oo see which "felt" right. Some of these, when I first pick them up, I know they fit. Others I work with.

That one is an enigma of sorts, Harold. I contoured that out of a straight-honed 66 which originally came with a smile.
One of my first 're-shaping' efforts, I sort of overdid it, but in a good way!
Lots of light compounds in the hollows to get it right where it came out with a really tiny and even bevel.

It started out as 'WOW' and still shaves the dickens 4 or 5 years later with only the strop to blame.
Awesome blade, if I do say so myself. Silly smooth, IMO. It does not seem to want to cut you, but to shave you!

Yes it does, Tom!

BTW, Harold, 140 laps is 280 strokes? 140 on each side? I need to loan you some more razors!

Perhaps some strops?

Originally Posted by sharptonn

BTW, Harold, 140 laps is 280 strokes? 140 on each side? I need to loan you some more razors!

Perhaps some strops?

140 round trips,... I have to give back something to the mentor & the experiment

To expand the experiment, today I used one of my own razors, a Robert Williams 7/8 maybe 1/2 hollow. The question in my mind was that since it had been one of my two or three favorites, how did it compare to my favorites from the rotation Tom provided.



The answer is that it performed well. I like the weight, it shaved me closely and fits my hand well. Question 2 is was it as comfortable and easy to maneuver as my favorites from the "loaned" rotation, and the answer is no.

I know I still have learning to do, but clearly at this stage of my education I favor heavy smilers (or any smiler), and the shape of the modern Williams blade makes it harder to maneuver in my hollow spots than even the largest FBU I've used in the last two weeks.

It also is not as smooth, but that could be the result of newness, as opposed to 100 years of honing and stropping for the others. Nevertheless I got a DFS and I'm happy. It'll stay in my rotation, once I return Tom's babies to Texas.

Tomorrow, back to the vintage blades and time doing some honey-do chores.

If I may, That razor looks disposed to a frown. The spine seems humped and the bevel looks frowned to match.
I think hunched-up somewhat? Am I wrong?

Certainly it is good as it shaves well!

I'll check it on a flat edge. I think it's just the photo, but I could be wrong.

Originally Posted by Haroldg48

I'll check it on a flat edge. I think it's just the photo, but I could be wrong.

I suppose it is just me. Seems a 'modern' design with the spine protruding past the point. Might be a straight spine, just looks like it tapers down toward the tip. An illusion, I suppose.

Definitely not a smiler is what I should have said!

I have not experienced one that big and heavy with a completely straight edge.

Originally Posted by sharptonn

I have not experienced one that big and heavy with a completely straight edge.

It would be a better shave if it smiled. The square point is fine, but that "corner" at the heel is a pain. Messed up a strop with it when doing slightly heel leading x-strokes, and it also makes it harder to work areas like the hollows of the neck...very unforgiving