Thread: What razor to get for my husband

Originally Posted by CrabbyCakes

This one is kind of speaking to me: TI 6/8 Rams Horn Razor With "Points" Spine Design

And me......

Originally Posted by Srdjan

And me......

I like the shape. It looks like what a distinguished old man would use before he went hunting. Are the bumps on the top functional? Also it is carbon steel. Is that what you want for a razor?

Originally Posted by CrabbyCakes

I like the shape. It looks like what a distinguished old man would use before he went hunting.

Possibly. If said gentleman were into hunting rams, this might even be a terrific way of recycling them. The world needs more custom rams horn scales. Jesting aside, I would be careful about a French thumbnotch razor as a gift. They are known to be difficult to handle.

Originally Posted by CrabbyCakes

Are the bumps on the top functional?

No, they are a frivolity. Typically to showcase one's art proficiency a grinder. Well, in this particular case, the "proficiency" part is mostly optional. You would have to look at certain Wacker, Aust or Revisor razors if you wanted to see that in all its glory, including deep etching.

Originally Posted by CrabbyCakes

Also it is carbon steel. Is that what you want for a razor?

Absolutely not. What you want is titanium. Unfortunately, carbon steel is all you will get. That particular one has its fans (few) and enemies (lots). It is hard to hone, and offers no benefit in exchange.

We do have some rams down the street from us. I wonder if one would kindly lend me their horn? I googled "French thumbnotch." I think I should avoid one since my husband does not use one and the moment and I do not want him cursing me when he uses it.

So I can't buy titanium....

If he is a big proud to be an American guy you can head over to Hart steel. Blades are pretty straight forward big and heavy but lots of scale options.

I know he only buys American made knives. My husband is a little Ron Swanson like and this razor does look like something Ron would have made:

Is being heavy an issue?

Carbon steel is the main stay of the straight razor industry. There are a few manufacturer that use stainless as well.

The recently manufactured Thiers Issards for some reason are regarded as more challenging to hone than say vintage razors but personally having owned 2 TI's I haven't seen a difference in how easy or difficult they are to hone i comparison to other recently manufactured straights.

If I were you I would sneak into his shave den and take note of the shapes of his blades. My guess is there will be a trend towards a certain blade width, which we refer to in incriments of 1/8" of inch. Also point style. This should give you a good direction to start in.

Originally Posted by CrabbyCakes

I know he only buys American made knives. My husband is a little Ron Swanson like and this razor does look like something Ron would have made:

Is being heavy an issue?

Harts are fine blades, also if you get him a handle (we refer to handles as scales) he has the option to choose from different species of wood as an after market option if he so chooses.

Originally Posted by jfk742

If I were you I would sneak into his shave den and take note of the shapes of his blades.

I will be stealth tonight and measure it as well as figure out that style (?) it is. I have seen it 100 times but I just can't recall what size or shape the blade is.

Originally Posted by jfk742

Harts are fine blades

Patriotism aside, if you received a Hart over say over a Ralf Aust would you be disappointed?