Thread: PRC Hydra

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.

Originally Posted by edhewitt

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.

I guess you didn't read post #6!

No, I have not "taken this up" with PRC, nor do I plan to. As stated, I am disappointed that the finish is not the "mirror-steel" I was anticipating. That does not mean that I am about to ship my new razor back across North America, to a Manufacturer that is already under the kosh in terms of order backlogs, just so they can polish it a little better. I stated quite clearly that, though disappointed, I am not overly concerned and, if I ever DO get annoyed by it, I will polish it myself.

Guys, it's disappointing, but not the end of the world. Relax.

Let it be known.........

My comments have no intent to your displeasure nor did it have any emotional content implied.

BUT, threads like this DO have a financial impact on the buisnesses being mentioned within them. Thus, the reason to allow a company to make it right.

Except I am content without them "making it right". If that ever changes, I am content to take care of it on my own.

As to economic impact from threads like these, that is part and parcel of doing business these days, especially in a niche market. Your products will be reviewed by those who purchase them, sometimes to raves, and sometimes with mild criticism. If that is a concern for a particular business, they have options open to them with respect to minimizing even moderately unfavourable comments like mine.

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..

Fancy that. Traditionalism on a forum where guys use things up to 200 years old. Irony is never wasted on me

The 5 wheel car never really took off for Cadillac so I guess the traditional 4 wheels worked better.

Scales with wedges simply work. Spacers not so often.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Fancy that. Traditionalism on a forum where guys use things up to 200 years old. Irony is never wasted on me

The 5 wheel car never really took off for Cadillac so I guess the traditional 4 wheels worked better.

Scales with wedges simply work. Spacers not so often.

Well-said, Oz. In fact, I may go so far as to suggest tapered tangs, smiling (somewhat?) edges, centered pin placement, and scales thin enough to flex, not to mention fit and finish fit into this traditional category.
As to new razors. Imagine an Aust or Revisor without these characteristics.
I cannot either.