Thread: Portland Razor Company “Hydra” 6/8 Spanish Point (square) - long winded read

Portland Razor Company “Hydra” 6/8 Spanish Point (square)straight razor,
made by Scott M.

Disclaimer:
(This straight was purchased at the full price as shown on the razor company’s
website. There is not, was not and never will be any compensation, favors, discounts, gifts nor threats from the Portland RazorCompany regarding this razor nor anything of that nature related to what I may have to say about this razor. I am doing this strictly because I was pleased to see a U.S.based straight razor manufacturer attempting to
start up a business that is of interest to me because of my fondness for wet shaving and
those things that accompany that practice.)

My remarks are strictly my observations on the actual product in hand, shaving with the product, and my thoughts about changes in the product that may or may not need to be made. Inherent in this is my familiarity of what I consider to be a traditional straight razor of the kind we are aware of dating back several hundred years and manifesting itself in say a 6/8 DovoFirst Class straight razor available to today’s straight razor shavers as a kind of a normal benchmark in terms of size, grinding, shapes and scale profiles. I am no
expert by any stretch of the imagination when it comes tostraight razors but I do know what I like in a straight razor.

This is the Hydra model is a 6/8 Spanish tip square point straight razor of 01 steel. It is dressed in mahogany scales with gimps top and bottom. The razor weighs in at 1.7 oz. or 48 grams and is well balanced. The3/16” thickness of the spine through the shank and the tang is equal width as light taper starting around the mid point of the tang. I would call the grind a quarter hollow with a wider than normal bevel perhaps due to the width of the spine or grinding practice. The edge, under my loupe, looked good. The blade is tight and centered in the scales. There is a notch starting just above the heel of the blade which turned out to be a comfortable place for my thumb to rest while shaving both right and left handed. Not used when shaving my neck up to my chin line which I do with my right hand only and grasp the shank with my right thumb and forefinger. This notch did not interfere with stropping in anyway nor did the height of the shank. The notch did cause me to adjust my mind to the sensation of my thumb being farther forward than my normal straights while I was shaving. The shaving angle was a touch tighter than my normal shaving angle because of the notch. The shave was one pass on my face and a two pass with re-lather on my throat up to the chin line. I was satisfied with the shave and the razor and I think it is a fair value with all things considered.

I would prefer a thinner bevel and do not see why the maker could not manage that. I
would like to see an overall taper in the 3/16” width starting just before the pivot area and extending back to the end of the tang.

Changes for the sake of changes to, in my mind, present the razor in a more traditional
sense would be a centered pin at the spacer with the top pin not as high as it is on this razor. No pins at all on the front would work well with this straight. I also like a flat
finish on wood scales. A bit more definition to the stabilizers, although strength of stabilizer is not an issue with a one quarter hollow grind. Less height at the shank/tang carrying through to the tang. That's my story and I am sticking to it. : )

Blade look great,scales need work.

Looks nice

Love the blade. But scales need a few more coats of ca and a lot of sanding.

Thanks for the review!!

Thank you lz6, great to hear your very thoughtful review of the Hydra. I'm glad that the razor provided a satisfactory shave. Also glad to hear your views of where Portland Razor Co. straights can be improved on design and quality. My main goal for the company is to be making high quality handmade razors for reasonable prices. Of course, trying to hit my price points, I am still perfecting the manufacturing processes and I am working on making certain processes better (like getting the grind thin enough at the razor's edge to produce a thinner bevel, and efficiently producing better finishes on the scales.) I am confident that I can continue to perfect the manufacturing process and improve quality where needed. Feedback from you guys is always appreciated and helps me know what parts of my process need the most attention first.

Please don't let my presence on this thread interrupt any of the valuable feedback you guys have been giving. I always want you guys to feel free to say whatever you want about Portland Razor Co. Anyway, thanks again lz6, I hope the razor continues to serve you well and everyone, please always feel free to ask me any questions about our products!

Scott

Iz6 - thank you!

I've been hoping to see some reviews & appreciate your taking the time.

Hearing of a local maker had me in a lather, so to speak. I stopped by to meet Scott, learn about the blades. Then I learned he made strops also, and the leather looked quite good.

Maybe the best impression was Scott's attitude. He knows that these prices, the custom masterpiece is not feasible. His target was for the razors to be more affordable than the lovely customs, and within reach of the more humble budgets. What I like here, is that we may have guys able to try a new heavy grind without breaking the bank. The new razor buyer is unable to find a heavy grind under $350. And many find them easier to learn the straight shave with the heavier grind. It begs for an affordable alternative.

I share the view that the scale finish needs refinement. The placement of the wedge pin makes me wonder how sound the pinning will remain over time. I had the same impression of the beautiful Buddell blades. Preferences in tangs & tails will vary. Scott likes the feel as they are. I like a bit more tail. The definition of the stabilizers I wonder about. The 1/4 grind is so rigid, the stabilizers are just for looks. If it saved manufacturing time to eliminate them in favor of a graceful shoulderless line - it might be a good trade both for time savings and appearance. None of my Williams blades have stabilizers, don't need them, and look quite pleasing.

I hope we hear and see more of Scott's work. Its a very well aimed blade in a sea of 5/8 full hollows.

Thanks for chiming in pinklather! I'm glad to know that you share the same philosophy as me on getting heavier grind razors into the hands of new guys for affordable prices.

As for the stabilizers, I couldn't agree with you more, which is why I actually have decided to take them out of the design. Stabilizers on our quarter hollow grinds weren't coming in very defined in looks and definitely are not required for strength. If you take a look at the new straight razor product page, you can see our new product photos which reflect the new grind and also show a couple of acrylic scales options.

I am definitely going to continue to work on getting the scale finish better, in fact I will probably spend a good part of today working on that.

Nice to see another manufacturer throwing their hat in the "affordable razor" ring! The "Kraken" looks good! Best of Luck to the new razor makers!

i've been following the portland razor co recently to see what they are doing. i'm glad to see a review, i wouldnt mind having one of my own.