Thread: Straights for Heavy Beards?

Originally Posted by BobH

Never could understand what difference the grind makes, sharp is sharp.

Bob

Plus 1 sharp is sharp

Originally Posted by BobH

Never could understand what difference the grind makes, sharp is sharp.

Bob

Admittedly, I have not shaved with as many blades as many you. Have shaved with maybe 30. Shaved with 1/4, half, 3/4, and full. Not yet a true wedge.
Two blades of the same grind can give different experiences. Steel quality, bellied, concave, I'm not sure if those are the reason for that?
But even with those different experiences, I agree with you.. not really sure the big difference in cutting power. Only real difference in "cutting power" is made by "how sharp is the blade". IMHO.
I like all of the grinds I've tried. My first SR shave was a
1/4 hollow heljestrand and to this day one of my favorite shaves. Though I mostly end up shaving with half to full hollows. My beard is course, very.

“Mephisto” The only thing I know about the razor I saw on E-Bay is that it was a 6/8 round, and a Le Grelot with new abalone scales. Beautiful razor. I asked the seller more specific questions about the razor.
Thanks for your input.

I think I know which one you are talking about. It is a stunning vintage razor restore from the pics. It has the 'Lotus' etching correct? Le Grelot was a manufacturer at one time and purchased by Thiers Issard (TI). If my history is correct, TI used some the blanks from the purchase to make a series of new razors with the Le Grelot mark. The grind and the shape appear similar to the one I have.

“Mephisto” Yep, thats the one. Is it worth what they are asking for? If it get touchy please PM me. Thanks H

Originally Posted by Mephisto

I think I know which one you are talking about. It is a stunning vintage razor restore from the pics. It has the 'Lotus' etching correct? Le Grelot was a manufacturer at one time and purchased by Thiers Issard (TI). If my history is correct, TI used some the blanks from the purchase to make a series of new razors with the Le Grelot mark. The grind and the shape appear similar to the one I have.

Le Grelot was the main competitor to Thiers Issard for the most part of this century. Neither survived as a stand alone company. Thiers-Issard is the main razor brand of Sabatier and Le Grelot is another brand they own and have recently (in the last 5 years) discovered its marketing value.
But all of their current production is made of their c135 steel which is fairly different from their pre 2008 manufacturing. The grinds of their razors do not match the historical grinds of the same models. The labeling of razors has nothing to do with models either.
They market continuing use of old process involving lead in their heat treatment but as with most things proprietary we never get much details.

They seem to have had on the order of few thousand old blanks which were made in various special editions in the last decade or do, the most famous of which is probably TIPTLE, but that's about it.

You should first determine what is the blade - vintage production in new scales, vintage blank current production, or modern manufacture. All could make good razors, but they'll have different characteristics.

Originally Posted by hasstar

I had my eye on a French razor that was advertised as for “Heavy Beards”
First , what makes a razor more accommodating (specific characteristics) for Heavy Beards?
Secondly , how does one define Heavy beards?

For me I am retired so the need to shave everyday is not called for. I would say on the second day my beard feels very prickly, and on the 3 rd day I need to shave, but I am fair of complexion and color wise my beard is light (probably gray now) . Back in the day, I wore a red tight curly reddish beard. Could never grow a ZZ Top beard due to the tight kind of curly whiskers.
Thanks all,
have a good one...
Harry

This picture rips electric razor shaving, but it also says that facial hair is like copper wire. Any straight that's tuned up right is perfect for a 3-day beard. It's been my experience that all other kinds of razors have trouble with it.

I believe the hype behind the right razor for the right beard is about like every other choice in shaving: it's subjective. It's all about what works for you. Any razor, properly honed and wielded with proper technique, should slice through any hair provided you did a decent preshave prep. Without a decent prep just about any razor you try will pull, skip, and slice you up.

That being said, I think the common thinking is that the thinner full hollow ground blades have more flex and with especially course hair may flex enough to cause pulling and skipping whereas a heavier wedge blade isn't going to flex and will push through the hair with less resistance.

That may or may not be true: for you. As always, YMMV. Differences in who honed the edge, metal composition, shaving technique, and face prep/lather all come into play. Get a quality razor made from quality steel, find the prep that works for your hair type, and lather up. Trial and error are about your best option here.

CaliforniaCajun: The "Most Interesting Man In The World" who pitches Dos Equis beer needs to shave his facial hair with a straight like this guy in his next commercial.

I always liked that funny shaving video Cardinal Phrank shows & I have always liked the Dos Equis commercials that guy has. They are always good ones!!!
I have the same type of beard you have. It is coarse & kinda curly. Like most have said any sharp blade will do but I have found a heavier blade does the job a little better like the Filarmonics Especial Para Barbas Duras (EPBD), or many of the heavy Sheffield wedges. There even might even be a few others I can't think of now.

Lots who have an idea that everyone can shave with super-thin blades have no idea what it is like to have a tough beard.
How could they? They can not!
Back when everyone used straights in the early days, heavy grinds were all there was to use. Onward to late 1800's and 1900's as thinner grinds were introduced, heavys were still preferred my many. Even today, it still means it IS subjective.
Makers/Sellers recommended different grinds for different beards for a very long time as well.
You would think they knew what they were talking about back then, wouldn't you?