It just hit me that a smiling razor is not really a straight razor, now is it? :thinking:
:shrug:
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It just hit me that a smiling razor is not really a straight razor, now is it? :thinking:
:shrug:
That is an interesting thought. I am curious to see the discussion that follows since i feel a bit to inexperienced to weigh in on this yet.
I like your line of thought here Wade,
I'm I think I'm too fresh here to provide a knowledgeable answer myself,
my thought is the straight is not so much the front view (flat Smiling side) but the fact that the blade is straight & in line with the scales?
because a bent straight is a bad thing where a as anything from smiling to as far as frowning (definitely not preferred) can be OK without scalloping or filleting your face on one side
but they are cut throats & Open razors regardless of profile LOL
Imo, straight refers to the length axis, not the side view of the edge
I think what we of the late 19th and 20th century call straight razors were just called razors until the advent of alternative (modern) designs. None of the old companies called themselves "straight razor" makers. They just called themselves "razor" or "cutlery" makers. I'm thinking it's a modern term to distinguish straights from what came later.
So I suppose.
If would have been straight, if it hadn't been made not straight. :rofl2:
Exactly. A Kamisori is just a razor, no other terms were ever added or changed.Quote:
Originally Posted by MisterMoo
No different than at one time cars were horseless carriages until there were no more horses used for transportation so the term meant nothing and they just became automobiles. When there was nothing else to shave with it was just a razor.
Yes. To the Japanese even an electric razor is kamisori.Quote:
Originally Posted by thebigspendur
Not 100% sure but I think the small traditional blades we use can be defined more specifically as wakamisori but they are also by defintion kamisori.
IMO a straight razor refers to the absence of extra bits like you'd find on a disposable, or cartridge, or DE, or even a comb. Yes, this is MY modern definition, but it's like "straight" whisky....no frills, just business;)
oh sure i get it. It was just a random pre-caffeine thought as i was looking at some razors...I was specifically looking for curves and these had none. Which led me to the OP.
Just yesterday i proclaimed that i was looking for "razors" and the old fella thought I meant "safety" razors. hah.
No one called a flint or caplock ignition firearm a "muzzle loader" BITD either. It was a rifle or a musket or a shotgun. They didn't call it "black" powder either. They called it "gun" powder.
But curvy blades...mmm hmm, gotta like some curves.:D
actually "straight bourbon" is a term that has specific legal meaning. It's not just a shot or neat glass of a whiskey-type spirit.Quote:
Originally Posted by unit
But wait, there may be some song lyrics in there...straight-bourbon-whiskey-razors-womens... hmm.
straight bumpers too, gotta keep it in the road honey!
IMO Before the straight razor where knives with curved blades.
I don't really know, maybe because disposable razors always bend at an angle at the top, and DE razors end in a T?
hmmmm smiling faces are sure hard to sharpen,had two of them(mother of pearl) sent them off when I got them back not much improvement:boohoo:
Really? You have to adjust when you get to the smiling part of the edge but it isn't a world of difference to hone them (In my limited, amateur and humble experience)
I've seen antique razors that where just more or less flat sided and then sharpened by lifting it from the stone at an angle.
Could "straight" be from the design that we use when there is an straight line from the back all the way to the edge?
Can hardly write, to much coffee today!
for those that read the title/OP only and don't follow the thread and then post.
It was simply a comment about (WRT) the lovely curved lines of the smiling or swayback razor.
Nothing more
or less.
:p
Ahh, sorry!Quote:
Originally Posted by WadePatton
Was trying to read and do some work at the same time! ;)
The name "Straight Razor" puzzles me tho.
No worries Lemur, multi-tasking by its nature, reduces engagement of some facilities.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lemur
Well to me they're all razors now, straight or smiling. That other stuff is simply shaving gizmos.
Speaking of naming conventions, as they were "razors" at one point, I have noticed the Brits tend to call them "Cut-Throat Razors" more than us Yanks.
Good thing we keep their language up to date. :rofl2: