Thread: Are some razors just better than others?

edit: Didn't read this part. "honemeisters with great shaving technique" Ignore what I said below.


Quick answer: yes, yes they are.

Long answer:
Quality of the razor lies in two things: the blade and the scales. Obviously the better quality scales are easier to spot, so we won't discuss that. But the blade should be centered, the scales should be the right length and the pins should be tight.

The other is the blade. First and foremost, the blade needs to be heat treated properly in order to reach a good RC (hardness). Second, a good blade will have an even grind. There are other things, but the first is the most important, the second is mostly for aesthetic reasons, but obviously a grind that is extremely off on one side is probably not going to be a great shaver either.

Ok, so what does that mean? It means that some manufacturers had better quality control standards, better heat treatment procedures, and better furniture (scales). Names that come to mind: Dubl Duck and Puma. Now, does this mean that Dubl Duck and Puma are better than a W&B? Or a Greaves & Sons? Or an American brand? Not necessarily. For the most part, the razors that have survived the test of time survived because someone thought they shaved well enough to not chuck in the trash bin. I will say however, that for the most part, W&B's have some pretty plain looking scales. For the most part anything made in Sheffield or Solingen was of good quality.

However, when you compare a Puma to one of those razors being sold as new on ebay... clearly the Puma beats the junker in quality, shave, etc. But when putting up a Puma v. a Duck...its going to come down to personal preference.