Thread: PRC Hydra

Just wanted to say thanks to Orville for his detailed overview of his new Hydra. I'm glad that yours doesn't exhibit some of the issues that mine did, and I hope you find it to be a good shaver tomorrow. I'm definitely pleased with the way mine shaves, and of course that's the most important thing.

Just out of intellectual curiosity, it would be interesting for me to compare my razor with one that PRC might have made a few months ago, before the backorder situation became so worrisome. I'm sure they're (understandably) feeling pretty under the gun right now, and I'm wondering if the luxury of giving the blade a perfectly even polish has been somewhat sacrificed due to the time pressures.

And I'm glad I learned a new word today! I wonder if I'll ever figure out an excuse to use "grob" in a sentence outside of SRP ...

Originally Posted by Montanan

And I'm glad I learned a new word today! I wonder if I'll ever figure out an excuse to use "grob" in a sentence outside of SRP ...

Well, don't wear it out. It is a word which is difficult to stomach. Reminds of other words. 'grob'..

Indeed, Let's hear about the shave?

Personally, I'm glad they're giving the razor business a go, and I like the style and the look of heft in the blades. I'm really interested in shaving reports and feel in the hand when used.

Best of luck to the PRC folks! Hang in, this growing pain and illness will hopefully pass!

Originally Posted by Orville

Can you explain this, please? How can it add stress to the pivot?

To me, the only way a blade is too deep is if the edge is protruding out the other side of the scales, but what do I know?

Sure. The basic design of a wedge is tapered so that it splays the pivot end before assembly.
On assembley the scales take a tension that allows even contact with a tapered tang thru the range of movement.

Open & close a vintage razor slowly & you will see the scales "breathe" so to speak

A flat wedge does not allow this & possibly some modern makers may not even taper the tang so this mistake can work in a fashion.
It kind of turns the razor into a penknife type operation but if the tang is tapered then the problems arise in time ie the pivot will loosen or the razor will have tight & loose points on rotation much like a bent pivot pin.

If the wedge which should have been tapered is a flat, fat, spacer to match an equally fat tang then the razor will drop into the void created by such & only the very end of the spine will stop the razor from falling thru. Even some of the biggest vintage blades had comparitively slim wedges which would stop the blade much earlier.
A problem with a razor that sits too deeply in the scales is that it necessitates levering the tail to open it rather than using two hands. This can lead to "stropping" the blade against the scales if you flex them.

Look at how high this John Barber sits out of the scales & also the design of the wedge.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Same outcome. It puts undue stress on the pivot & the blade closes too deeply into the scales, generally speaking.

There is such a thing as TOO deep in the scales?
I purposely make them ride deep.

Originally Posted by bluesman7

There is such a thing as TOO deep in the scales?
I purposely make them ride deep.

But than you end up with clunky looking scales that are to wide.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Sure. The basic design of a wedge is tapered so that it splays the pivot end before assembly.
On assembley the scales take a tension that allows even contact with a tapered tang thru the range of movement.

Open & close a vintage razor slowly & you will see the scales "breathe" so to speak

I have noted this on some of my vintage blades, but did not note it on the PRC. I will doublecheck tonight.

A flat wedge does not allow this & possibly some modern makers may not even taper the tang so this mistake can work in a fashion.
It kind of turns the razor into a penknife type operation but if the tang is tapered then the problems arise in time ie the pivot will loosen or the razor will have tight & loose points on rotation much like a bent pivot pin.

If the wedge which should have been tapered is a flat, fat, spacer to match an equally fat tang then the razor will drop into the void created by such & only the very end of the spine will stop the razor from falling thru. Even some of the biggest vintage blades had comparitively slim wedges which would stop the blade much earlier.
A problem with a razor that sits too deeply in the scales is that it necessitates levering the tail to open it rather than using two hands. This can lead to "stropping" the blade against the scales if you flex them.

Plenty of room to "jack-knife" the blade from the scales on this razor. Spine is almost a 1/4" above the scales.


Look at how high this John Barber sits out of the scales & also the design of the wedge.

Seems like more of an aesthetic issue, so long as the manufacturer adapts for the spacer rather than a wedge.

Abosolutly an aesthetic issue,spacers work fine for smaller blades.
These are all 8/8s (scaled in ivory) all have true wedges,no way I could have used a spacer on them.

Originally Posted by Orville

Seems like more of an aesthetic issue, so long as the manufacturer adapts for the spacer rather than a wedge.

Reads more like a traditionalists philosophy. This is the way it was done so this is the way it must be done and if it wasn't done this way then it's wrong.

I hope that the original poster took up his concerns with PRC first before posting the issues.
They should have the opportunity to make it right beforehand and not after the fact.

Originally Posted by Scareface

Reads more like a traditionalists philosophy. This is the way it was done so this is the way it must be done and if it wasn't done this way then it's wrong.

I hope that the original poster took up his concerns with PRC first before posting the issues.
They should have the opportunity to make it right beforehand and not after the fact.

Did you read the OP? Orville is the original poster, he didn't post with issues, it is stuff that has been discussed through the thread.