Thread: What makes a GOOD razor?

I'm relatively new to shaving with a straight, and when I first purchased a razor, I purchased a Gold Dollar. I've heard a lot about "Pakistani" razors, and I'm wondering WHY they're bad. Specifically, what makes a BAD razor? Is a razor that's made a certain way difficult to hone? Does it lose it's edge too quickly? Is the steel too soft or too hard?

I'm just wondering how one can differentiate between a "good" razor and a "bad" one, and what makes the latter "bad".

Many factors: type of steel; tempering; geometry of blade; balance; sharpness; etc.
Most of all personal preference.

Originally Posted by jwir3

I'm relatively new to shaving with a straight, and when I first purchased a razor, I purchased a Gold Dollar. I've heard a lot about "Pakistani" razors, and I'm wondering WHY they're bad. Specifically, what makes a BAD razor? Is a razor that's made a certain way difficult to hone? Does it lose it's edge too quickly? Is the steel too soft or too hard?

I'm just wondering how one can differentiate between a "good" razor and a "bad" one, and what makes the latter "bad".

Type of steel, and heat treat. Steel from other countries is full of impurities, which makes it cheep to buy. Lots of cheep razors have cheep quality control(ie little to none at all). Most of the time it just wont hold an edge, or a shaving edge at least. If you need something cheep, check the classifieds on here. Alot of the time you can find shave ready for 30-50 bucks and it was probably honed by some one who knows what they are doing.
red

There are many factors that make a razor good or bad. Lets just simply say the type of steel and how well it is heat treated will determine how well it takes an edge and keeps the edge. The geometry of the razor. This will determine how the razor sits on the hone. This is very simply stated and alot more goes into the manufacture of a quality blade.If they sell a razor for $10 it probably make it for a dollar. You get what you pay for.

Even simpler
Is it sharp?
Does it hold its edge?
Does it fit your hand comfortably for the positions in which you use it?
Does the blade shape access all the areas you wish to shave, with no unintended bite from the edge or other end of the blade?
Then, it may be a good razor...for you!

I have shaved with somewhere over 150 straight razors and there are about 10 blade shapes that I enjoy using. Ditto for blade sizes! Don't ask; as those are for my face. Same thing goes for brushes and soaps/ creams.

Find a Mentor nearby to you and spend time with them. Printed word does not replace body memory!

JMO~Richard