Thread: Razor "balance"

I got to thinking after reading thebigspendur's excellent post (in which by the way he makes it abundantly clear that he really IS a big spender) about what we mean when we talk about a razor's balance.

I'm still relatively new at this, and I don't really know how to tell whether a razor is balanced properly or not. I can feel differences when I strop and shave, but I don't know how to evaluate those differences.

What should I look for to tell if a razor is "balanced" or not?

Josh

I really got a lesson in balance when I tried recently to use one of those Wapienica razors - definitely sharp, definitely not balanced.

Balance to me is when I open a straight to shave, with the scales say at 2 o'clock while the blade edge is at 9 oclock, the blade and the scales balance between my thumb under the tang (think thumb notch) and my middle finger or ring finger on top of the tang with the scales between my first and middle fingers - the blade doesn't pull the scales up down, and the scales don't pull the blade up - it balances on that pivot.

In that way only the lightest pressure is needed to make finesse strokes with the razor down or across and you do not feel like you will drop the razor if you only use two fingers to maneuver it around your face. With the Waps, sharp as they are, I find those steel scales are too heavy, and the blade has a tendency to want to jump up, and I feel like I am fighting the thing the whole shave - it also tends to be rather fatiguing, as my fingers are not so strong as to fight the lack of balance in that razor - my grip on the Wap (in order to make sure it stays straight and doesn't jump) is pretty substantial - and IMHO does not make for a thoroughly enjoyable shave. A good shave but not a relaxing shave - like painting with a 6 inch wide brush, still can make a good canvas, but the lighter strokes are more difficult. Except for the price. And the super sharp blade. And the whole proletariat utilitarian back story. Anyways, did I describe this accurately enough?

K

Josh,

In the shaving video produced by John West, the pro barber discusses razor balance by doing almost exactly what Kriton suggested. However, instead of the scales at 2 o'clock the barber just opens the razor flat so it is one long piece, like a Feather AC. He then places his index finger under the hinge pin and balances it on that finger. If the razor is well balanced the razor will sit there motionless.

FWIW.

i might consider the balance with scales at 2 o clock to be a better assesment as it's the position you will be holding the razor.

with the scales pointed straight out theres a small amount of torque that won't be there during the shave and i think that the razor willl be blade-heavy during the shave. plus if you have your razor opened straight like that during a shave chances are you are probably holding it such that the whole balance thing isnt really an issue

I find if the razor is opened straight out and a finger is positioned just forward of the pivot that gives the best approximation of balance though I'm sure others will disagree. I've found in that manner when you shave you will get that experience. As I said in my review the Masestro is perfectly balanced and when you shave with it though it is a big and heavy razor it moves in an effortless manner on your face and is as maneuverable as many much smaller razors. The Williams razor which is scale heavy is also much heavier on the face and is what most would think a large massive razor would feel like. Kind of like an 18 wheeler on the face.

Big spender eh? So you think I'm a rich guy eh? I'm just a retired civil servant living on a fixed retirement. We all spend our limited resources where we feel most appropriate.

Originally Posted by Jfala

Josh,

In the shaving video produced by John West, the pro barber discusses razor balance by doing almost exactly what Kriton suggested. However, instead of the scales at 2 o'clock the barber just opens the razor flat so it is one long piece, like a Feather AC. He then places his index finger under the hinge pin and balances it on that finger. If the razor is well balanced the razor will sit there motionless.

FWIW.

Where is that video available?

Steve,

You can find "The Lost Art of Straight Shaving" DVD at http://users.mikrotec.com/rebel23/ww...avingvideo.htm

Good luck.

I just go by the feel. If it's easy to strop and shave with, it's well balanced. If I have to fight it to maintain proper angles, it's not. Simple, eh?

Originally Posted by FiReSTaRT

I just go by the feel. If it's easy to strop and shave with, it's well balanced. If I have to fight it to maintain proper angles, it's not. Simple, eh?

Sounds good to me. Don't need to overthink these things.

Originally Posted by Jfala

Steve,

You can find "The Lost Art of Straight Shaving" DVD at http://users.mikrotec.com/rebel23/ww...avingvideo.htm

Good luck.

Oh, I know of that video. I didn't realize it was the same one. Thanks for the info.