Thread: Hess 44 bellied?

Originally Posted by BobH

Yea, I know, was just wondering if they were all the same considering they could have been supplied from different makers.

They were? I didn't know that.
The ducks were made by multiple manufacturers and each model is the same i.e. the hollows are double ground, the wedges are single ground.

I've never seen a Hess 44 (don't remember the 42s) that wasn't double ground. Here is a profile shot of a 44 (btw this was honed heavily at the tip so it's less pronounced but that's the one I found a picture of, not of the unhoned ones):


It's very easy to notice the belly if you look at the reflection in the blade, a double grind is two concave mirrors and one convex between them while single grind is just a single concave mirror (those are cylindrical of course, there is no curvature along the length of the blade).

Originally Posted by gugi

They were? I didn't know that.

Sorry, didn't know what?

Bob

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

How wide is the blade on the 44?
have not seen a belly on anything less than a 7/8 blade.

I would say 11/16 on mine.

Bob

I did not know that they were produced by multiple manufacturers. I thought they were made by Hess.

Just went and checked mine..

#1 Yep
#44 Yep
#99 Yep

There is a #42 out in the shop but there is a lot of cold wet rain between me and it

and just because I wasn't positive I checked my 4/8 Mack because I thought it was but wasn't positive, and yep double grind bellied blade


RandyDance would really be the one to ask about who made Hess blades, he did a ton of research into that company

Originally Posted by gugi

I did not know that they were produced by multiple manufacturers. I thought they were made by Hess.

I did not say they were just that they might have been as Hess was a barber supply company based in Minneapolis Minnesota, I believe. As such they likely made no razors but had the contracted out. With contracting out there could be multiple suppliers or not. If there were then the grinds might have been different.

Bob

Hess had their razors made in Solingen. Whether they had their own factory (Or of a different name) there or not could be found out, you would think. Many American suppliers had dedicated factories in Solingen before WWII. Hess 44 has a distinct double grind. Part of what makes them a great shaver. I have a 6/8 and just love it. Same as smaller ones I have had.

Some years back Randy Tuttle bought everything that was left at the factory, so he may have some historical paperwork to shed light.

But yeah, I think they made the best stainless razor. And the carbon steel are really good too.

Well, considering those who have responded all have bellied 44s I guess it is likely that the 44s all came from a single source or not. Whatever makes them a good shaver i don't know but mine sure is anyway. Seems like that is consistent too.

Bob