Thread: My thoughts on Frans "Dolphin" razor

So, a few days ago I received my second razor from SRP's very own "Frans" who owns Art Razor, in the Ukraine. My 1st was a 1 off custom made specifically for me (Near wedge, 'Old Time' blade style, reminiscent of an old W&B FBU) . Whereas this one is one he offers on his website.

Blade style: Dolphin
Model: Odessa
Steel: Udeholm arne (Sweden, O1)
Size: 6/8", quarter hollow
Blade: slight hollow spine, smile edge, polished
Point: fancy shape

It came shipped in a magnetic closing box, with Art Razor and the razor model printed directly on the box (not just a label slapped on). The razor itself, is more beautiful in person than any professional photographer can ever make it out to be in a photograph. Since I have been using the custom he built for me, for awhile, I was shocked at the weight of this little bugger. While I haven't weighed it, it would guess it to be less than half the weight of my Old Time blade.

Yesterday morning I gave it a test run. The long tang took me a minute to get a feel for the razor. Normally, the thumb is at or nearly touching the heel of the blade. Not this one, however, there is a 'thumb notch' that indexes your thumb. It just took me a min to get the feel of it. The short blade, obviously, takes more passes to cover my face. But it wasn't like I had to wipe the blade after each stroke. In fact, it'll hold all of the lather from 1/4 of my ugly mug.
If shaving with a 8/8 FBU wedge is like driving a bulldozer, using the Dolphin is like being strapped into a Lamborghini. It takes the curves of my face, like no other razor I have in my stable. Being 6' and 173lb, my throat has hollows that have always gave me problems using a straight blade. Smiling blades work very well, for me at least, in following the contours of my Adam's apple and hollows, without poking myself with the toe. This little bugger, is small enough and having a slight smile, it actually is the best I have found at clearing the brush from my throat area. While the point is somewhat of a, well...point, it really isn't a 'point.' So, no worries about getting poked.
As with my other razor from Frans, his honing and stropping are top notch. I have spoke with Frans about his technique (hone type and progression and strops used), although I will leave telling what they are, to him.

OK, OK, enough of this talk....I present to you: Odessa






This shot is of both of my razors from Frans, along with the custom brush handle.

A very interesting design.
I do like my shorties, but a custom...that's slicker than snot, on a glass doorknob.

AcesandEights, Thanks for the review on the Dolphin! This little guy really deserves attention
This is probably the most popular model. A Dolphinarium.

Very nice. Frans has his own style going on.

Thank you, friends!

So…frans…what stone/progression/paste/strops do you use?

Stones Naniwa SS 800 - 10000/12000 and Kanayama strop 50000
Paste do not use. If after 10,000 10 - 15 movements on net belt razor surely does not pass the test - I'm going back to the stones.
You can start with 1000 I know. But I have to sharpen a lot of razors. Sometimes ten pieces per day. Therefore, 800 is preferable for me. Then 3000 - 5000 and 10000 (at least 12K)

Now that's just one cool looking razor. Very nice work Frans

Nice looking design. Looks like it might take some adjusting to learn how to strop it.

It would seem quite ergonomic by looking at it. Wish I could try one.
A speedster, I would bet.

Neat design.