Thread: Weight and balance?

Hi,

Heavy blade, heavy handle (razors with ebony handles)? Heavy handle, light blade (as Shavette stainless), heavy blade, light handle (some razors with plastic handle, Feather disp. razor), light blade, light handle (some disposable str8s with ALU blade and plastic handle). Does it so important? Which one makes shaving more comfortable and safer? Or precise and closer?
Please let me know your thoughts.

Cheers
Pawel

Balance is important. The weight of the blade depends on your beard type. I have light to medium wiskers and I use a 5/8 razor (this razor is lighter than a 6/8, but heavier than a 4/8). Others with heavier beards prefer a heavier blades.

Pawel,

Some people like heavy blades and handles, some like lighter ones. Some like a very thin and delicate edge, while others prefer a wedge. You may have to experiment a bit with a couple of different razors to determine what you like best and this includes blade width. The journey is a fun one. Lynn

Originally Posted by adjustme69

Pawel,

Some people like heavy blades and handles, some like lighter ones. Some like a very thin and delicate edge, while others prefer a wedge. You may have to experiment a bit with a couple of different razors to determine what you like best and this includes blade width. The journey is a fun one. Lynn

Pawel,

Lynn is right but I like them all hense my addiction to this art.

When I first started I had best luck with a medium to large blade (although I only owned small to medium blades). The heavy razor sems to do all the work while my hnads just kept it on track. The light razor required I do the work of shaving and controlling the blade and I got more nicks that way.

While I still use mainly lare 6/8 and 7/8 blades I have kept a few select 5/8 razors and my TI Spartacus feels like a sports car compared to my TI 7/8 Silver Steel (thanks Korndog) which is more like a Hummer and not the baby H2 or H3 model either <g>.

I would always suggest getting something of a different size when buying your second razor. That way you have a real difference and wil then know where to head for your third razor (and fourth, fifth, well....you know how it goes).

Tony

I've got a lighter beard, but still see how weight to the blade can help shaving. The smaller, lighter razor is still good, though, for tight turns and such. Balancing the razor with the scales is very important in my book. That's why my Dubl Duck remains my most comfortable razor to handle. the balance point is just in front of the pivot pin. On my Böker, it's just behind and on my 6/8 Wade and Butcher it's a full centimetre or more ahead of the pin. It's not the end of the world, but that precise balance will sure help the noobee out, especially on the strop.

A 5/8 should almost always be your first razor IMO. It represents a balance between weight and maneuvreability, and I agree with Tony that your second should be different to give you a new experience, but don't expect all razors of the same size to feel the same. I've had two 6/8 razors. The Henckels was almost as light as the 5/8 I use. My W&B is noticably heavier with a chunky shank to hold on to. The amount of hollow grinding will also affect the weight. All things to consider when going for the next razor.

X

I agree with X. My first razor was a 5/8 and it a good starting point IMO also. But as long as the razor is sharp, the lather plentiful, and the skin prepped you can't go wrong with any size razor.

Originally Posted by paero123

Hi,

Heavy blade, heavy handle (razors with ebony handles)? Heavy handle, light blade (as Shavette stainless), heavy blade, light handle (some razors with plastic handle, Feather disp. razor), light blade, light handle (some disposable str8s with ALU blade and plastic handle). Does it so important? Which one makes shaving more comfortable and safer? Or precise and closer?
Please let me know your thoughts.

Cheers
Pawel

This is something very personal, like a tennis racket or golf clubs. Your best bet is to start out with a simple, keen 5/8 and find out over time what you like. Just because I like big, heavy razors doesn't mean you will.