Thread: Razor Balance

Hi,

What is every ones preference on razor balance??

Im just curious!

Going from the pivot point, do most prefer a heavier blade than scales or the other way round?

Just pondering as i have a few razor restorations coming up and have been thinking on the balance of the razor in hand.

Many Thanks

Ian

I like the balance point to fall just to the blade side of the pivot, or right at the pivot.

Lottsa folks say the blade must balance at the grip point, and made a big thing about it. I find that if the balance is there, the razors are more easily honed. If the scales are heavy, the blade seems to get a lot more honing at the heel. ]
A heavy blade is my choice for a shave. I am old and the weight seems to steady my hand.
~Richard

Originally Posted by Geezer

Lottsa folks say the blade must balance at the grip point, and made a big thing about it. I find that if the balance is there, the razors are more easily honed. If the scales are heavy, the blade seems to get a lot more honing at the heel. ]
A heavy blade is my choice for a shave. I am old and the weight seems to steady my hand.
~Richard

You indeed may be old Richard, but I'm not sure if that would be any different were you still in your 20's. That weight is a real boon I think. I mean, I got caught up with small blades from the get go. 4/8 and under is about 90% of my collection and I'm telling you, when I pull out my Kami or my fatty,fat, fat, 7/8, that weight just makes things a bunch more steady. It's like driving a heavy Pontiac at a buck twenty down a long stretch vs my 4/8's that are akin to a Tesla getting all buffeted by crosswinds lol..

Either way, as to the question, even with my beloved 4/8's, I much prefer the balance to lean toward the blade. By far.

I hate razors where the balance it toward the scales. It causes you to apply pressure to keep the blade on your face and makes honing and stropping more difficult. If it's a large razor I like a slight weight advantage towards the blade. For smaller razors meaning 4/8s and 5/8s I like the balance to be as perfect as possible. When the balance is perfect the razor becomes part of your hand like a precision instrument and it can be maneuvered around your face like a sports car. The more the balance is off the more clumsy it becomes.

I would check the balance on as many vintage razors as possible, from the Old Sheffield wedges to the 1950's Solingen double hollows from the Golden age and everything else you can lay your hands on..

I think you will find your answer