Thread: Older razors, are they better?

I like older razors a lot. I love the history behind them, the makers of them who were so intelligent at the time with their ideas & such & the different designs that you don't see today, the different steel from various countries as well. I also like some of the newer razors depending on which ones they are.
I agree with Jimmy what he said. Straight razors have come a long way & it seems as though they are slowly making a big comeback plus it opens the market up for more brushes made, mugs & scuttles, soaps & more. Even some of the new single & double edge razors are really nice. I love the Mongoose for example.........

You need to distinguish cosmetic from function. I think the new razors even with the different steels they are using are no better than the vintage pieces. As a matter of fact the older ones were easier to hone than some of the new ones and I'm not sure the honing lasts any longer on those new ones.

As far as cosmetics go you can't compare them because the old blades came from an era where there was this concept of pride in workmanship and no blade would leave a factory not truly shave ready or with cosmetic defects. If it did it was immediately replaced. To get that degree of workmanship these days you have to go custom.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

As far as cosmetics go you can't compare them because the old blades came from an era where there was this concept of pride in workmanship and no blade would leave a factory not truly shave ready or with cosmetic defects. If it did it was immediately replaced. To get that degree of workmanship these days you have to go custom.

Well, no but yes, no, no, yes, no.

No but yes: Vintage razors were mass produced. Maybe it is because you gentlemen do not speak German, have never been to Solingen, or trust the next honemeister more than the (German language, here we go again) books available. But no, the pride of workmanship has not significantly changed. Granted, there used to be hundreds of Kotten (as in "cottage industry"), but the vast majority were OEM producers for the big brand names. And razors were about as coveted as milking stools, because they were a tool.

No, and no: Not every blade left the company shave ready or without cosmetic defects. Given the sheer amount of razors produced, or the pitiful working conditions for most "razor makers" (read women, children, OAPs, war invalids), that would have been nigh impossible to do even with modern production and QA processes.

Yes, it was immediately replaced. As it is today. If you buy directly from the manufacturer, which most people do not, especially those living overseas. But that is a problem one needs to settle with the retailer.

No, you absolutely do not have to "go custom". In fact, the custom razors I have seen so far are visually unappealing, ergonomically dysfunctional, and vastly overpriced if you are looking for an instrument with which to shave.

Are vintage razors better? Not in my experience. Herkenrath uses high quality steel of uniform quality. If you buy from a talented manufacturer (Aust, Revisor, and the odd Wacker), you will get a razor that will shave as well as, or better than, a vintage razor.

Originally Posted by HARRYWALLY

Your next move should be to acquire a shave ready, 7/8 Sheffield wedge like a Wade & Butcher, Frederick Reynolds, Joseph Rodgers or a George Wostenholm..... and those are just a few top names that I personally really like.

As wisely said by HarryWally, while YMMV (and mine does week-to-week), there is nothing quite like the experience of a large, heavy Sheffield blade that has been maintained or restored correctly and honed well. They feel good in the hand, balance well, and give a superb, comfortable shave. I am lucky to have several, which I cherish. I have also had the experience, due to the generosity of a kind mentor here on SRP, to shave with a variety of other vintage razors of varying grinds and sizes. Look at this thread to see them: http://straightrazorpalace.com/gener...xperiment.html. While all were good, the best for me were the heavy Sheffields.

You may feel differently, but if you don't try, you'll never know.

@robink.

Ah but most of the bad ones would have broke long ago. Which tend to leave bias. The survivors are the ones that the owners took good care of (mostly) so you end up with more decent ones, else why bother?

Originally Posted by Rami

Ah but most of the bad ones would have broke long ago. Which tend to leave bias. The survivors are the ones that the owners took good care of (mostly) so you end up with more decent ones, else why bother?

Not really, no. Dubl Duck scales are still both an embarrassment and a nuisance.

Either way, quality assurance for certain modern production razors is sufficiently tight. I would buy from Aust or Revisor without reservations. Whereas your average vintage razors can, and most likely will, have issues. Which is not a problem for anyone with a hone, but for everyone else can be a deal breaker.

Originally Posted by RobinK

Not really, no. Dubl Duck scales are still both an embarrassment and a nuisance.

Either way, quality assurance for certain modern production razors is sufficiently tight. I would buy from Aust or Revisor without reservations. Whereas your average vintage razors can, and most likely will, have issues. Which is not a problem for anyone with a hone, but for everyone else can be a deal breaker.

I didn't say there are no exceptions. I was just speaking generally. Thanks for the new razor recommendation btw. Will go have a look at them when funds allow.

The only real difference I see is there are some blade styles and shapes found in vintage razors that are no longer available. The quality and QC is just as good (Wacker, Revisor, Aust). I have handled many vintage NOS razors and have seen similar issues that occasionally crop up today. Warp, bowing, uneven bevels, warped scales, poor inlays, fragile gold wash, etc.

Customs is a whole other issue. Most don't appeal to me because the majority are 1/4 hollow and have ergonomic issues. I am a guy that likes full hollow or full wedge. Everything in between Is a compromise

Originally Posted by HARRYWALLY

Your next move should be to acquire a shave ready, 7/8 Sheffield wedge like a Wade & Butcher, Frederick Reynolds, Joseph Rodgers or a George Wostenholm..... and those are just a few top names that I personally really like.

That would be a wonderful next move, in fact I have just come across a guy on the bay that has a couple of nice Fred Reynolds he has restored for auction. Given that I have just bought a new Dovo however, AND am bidding on a Henckels I probably should take 5, the Memsahib may start to take a dim view otherwise.

So far I have bought only vintage razors & been very happy. If I could never buy another razor & be satisfied with my shaves for a lifetime,I would be happy. Will I never buy another razor? No, I will keep buying vintage razors as long as I can find them at under $30.00. That is a limit I set for myself. If I had the money would I spend more? I don't know for sure. I really like most of the razors I have bought to date & am very happy with the shaves I get. I have been a blacksmith in the past & when the situation is right I plan on trying to make razors & plan on making near wedges as a speciality as I enjoy my shaves with them. I would only make razors to sell if I was happy with the way they shave myself & only build razors I felt were traditional design. I just don't want to reinvent the wheel if the old wheel rolls like new. Hope this all makes sense. Haven't had my morning coffee yet! LOL

Dave"Slawman"Huffman