Thread: Are some razors just better than others?

I'm wondering from all you honemeisters with great shaving technique.. Do some razors just shave you better than others? That is, among the "best" manufacturers.. Are some just better than others? Or is it always a matter of the razor in question needing some more hone loving or a tweak to the technique?

As a budding honer and shaver, I'm curious. I mean some razors seem very sharp and pass all tests and shave ok, but others of the same size and grind just seem to shave and feel better. At this point I don't know if it's my honing, technique or a bit of both. I'm curious if this ever goes away or if you always have preferences? How many honing touchups and days do you give a particular razor before you write it off as "meh"?

It's also good to remember that not all razors work for everyone's face. Some guys like Wedges, some don't. Some like Solingen steel others like Sheffield, etc.

Originally Posted by Disburden

It's also good to remember that not all razors work for everyone's face. Some guys like Wedges, some don't. Some like Solingen steel others like Sheffield, etc.

I guess that's really what it is. I'm wondering if those differences are more a technique thing, a honing thing, or just a preference thing.

they say that a really good shaver can shave with any well honed straight, at least 'they" being some of the people here. I have found some razors do shave beter for me than others of the same size and sharpening. I don't know if it is the steel, the grind or what. heavier razors work better for me in general. My 5/8 thistle cut I sold (mistake) was possible my best so far. but maybe that was just because at the time I only had that one and spent three months getting really good with it.

Red

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.

Originally Posted by pjrage

I'm wondering from all you honemeisters with great shaving technique.. Do some razors just shave you better than others?

LOL, I guess this disqualifies me from answering
Let Lynn speaketh

Lol, I didn't mean to disqualify any responses, I'd like to hear from everyone!

Leighton, that's kind of what I was after. I guess maybe some of it comes down more to quality control or perhaps damage to the razor over time.

How about another question instead.. Have you guys ever had a razor that "should be good", say, a Puma or a Duck, that for the life of you, you just couldn't get right or be happy with? How common is it? I mean, if you buy a Duck or a Puma that, upon inspection, appears to be in good shape, but after a few honing sessions and shaves you are still not that satisfied, are you REALLY confused? Or do you just toss it in the "meh" pile and move on with your life?

Then there's the secondary question that kind of gets back to my original question... How much difference in the shave is there, really, between the different razors that are considered to be of "good" quality? Let's say, for example, a plain-scaled Genco and a plain-scaled Duck, both of the same size and grind, both honed by the same experienced honemeister. Would you expect both to shave you so well that with your eyes closed it would be hard to tell them apart? Or would you expect one to provide an OK "acceptable" shave, and the other to provide a much better/smoother/closer shave?

Some razors are more difficult to get right, but unless there is a warped blade, they all can shave. I just find that some are better than others. I've a Puma Gold that is fantastic, but a DD Wonderedge that is just as good, if different.
And truth to tell, one of the best shaving razors for the price ever to pass through my hands was a plain jane Clauss 6/8ths. That razor was the equal of either the Puma or DD. In a fit of stupid I donated it to one of the give aways and often wish I had it back.
It just seems that the better brands are more consistent in providing excellent quality shaves. The lesser brands are more of a lottery, but when you win you can win big.

I bite my fingers to keep from replying, but as neither honemeister nor one with great shaving technique, I can't.

This is darned hard for one with opinions on nearly everything, doncha know.

Not speaking as a honemiester but rather as a wannabe or more politely an aspiring honemiester with so- so shaving technique. I do however have RAD and as a result a large collection of straight razors. So with that qualifier I would say that yes some are better then others even within a specific brand.

OTOH, especially in the vintage stuff those people were selling to barbers maybe even more then to individuals and they had a very competitive market. They had to put out a good product or word would get around quick and they would be out of business.

The old barbers I used to ask about straights twenty five years ago favored Solingen razors first with Sheffields second. This was in the Newark, NJ area. They especially liked Dubl Ducks and FWE but said that any Solingen razor would be of good quality. One barber in particular would take his thumb and flick the point to make a ringing noise. He told me that if the razor didn't "ring" it was not as good as one that did. I'm not saying that is a fact rather just mentioning what he said.

Of the old vintage razors I have shaved with some may have been easier to get to shave ready then others and gotten sharper but all have been good so far.