Thread: Koraat Razors Upgrade!

So I am one of the few who possesses a beard that a Koraat 8/8 semi custom razor does not shave well for. It would tug even though the edge was fantastic! I had another batch of razors made from Koraat and had the same tugging issue, he made sure the edge on those were spectacular. So there is definitely something unique about what my Nordic beard likes and doesn't like when it comes to shaving.

I contacted Ulrik over this issue and emails went back and forth for a while and he came to the conclusion that my beard likes a more shallow shaving angle. Which is true from the other razors I have. He would have to then grind down the forge-structure and spine. To make the razor have a thinner spine and taller/wider grind. We also went with a 1/4" hollow grind. To me the fact that he was willing to take them back (7 of them) and do all this work for a very reasonable price was amazing to me, it still blows my mind! I just got photos of the work they have completed.

The Results-

Before- Spine measured at 7.5mm thick and 21mm grind height. Which left about a 20.5 degree shaving angle

After- Spine measured between 6.5mm and 6.8mm thick and 23mm grind height. Which leaves about a 17 degree shaving angle

I can't wait to get them back!!!

It is always nice to hear a story of someone working out their needs with a vendor/tradesman and getting to a place where everyone is happy. It does not happen all the time and I think we hear this kind of story less often than it happens. I'm glad you two worked it out.

Correct me if I,m wrong but I always knew that the angle was o be 15-17 degrees, and his were 20.5? Strange cause. Thought he was very careful in his grinding and geometry. But he fixed it and that's what counts, also strange that a very well honed edge wasn't taking your beard off. Happy shaving. Tc

Originally Posted by tcrideshd

Correct me if I,m wrong but I always knew that the angle was o be 15-17 degrees, and his were 20.5? Strange cause. Thought he was very careful in his grinding and geometry. But he fixed it and that's what counts, also strange that a very well honed edge wasn't taking your beard off. Happy shaving. Tc

I would think he is careful with his grinds because all 7 blades were the same. I ordered them off of the razor configure template. He said a few other people have had the same issue as me which tells me his standard must be the 20.5 and most don't know that? Maybe?

Well I have always sad his grinding is top notch , I never shaved with one,,but have held a couple. Just surprises me with all the info on the angles out there. He does a class job. Tc

Originally Posted by tcrideshd

Well I have always sad his grinding is top notch , I never shaved with one,,but have held a couple. Just surprises me with all the info on the angles out there. He does a class job. Tc

I agree about his precise skills. He says the 20.5 degrees is for a long lasting edge and also gentle for the skin. I am very glad mine are now in the 17 degree ball park, can't wait for them to come home to papa...

Hi!

just wanted to give the information, that the high angle of about 19-21° is intentionally on our heavy 8/8" blades. They are inspired by the old sheffield blades which so many people love to use. But most of those old blades have very high sharpening angles which is a result of the long use and honewear. That´s partly the reason for the excellent edge holding and also the gentleness of those sheffield wedges. So we have decided to use higher than usual angles on our blades too. Up to now, we have made some thousands of razors and there have been only 3 customers that had "pulling" issues with these higher angles. In such a case we just regrind the blade to a lower angle and that resolves the problem.
But these high angles are only on our big 7/8" and 8/8" blades, the 6/8" and also our new #14 insprired 7/8" blades have the "normal" geometry.

Best regards,
Ulrik

I have a razor from Koraat that was obtained thru another Vendor and Ulrik's attention to detail is outstanding, his craftsmanship shows thru at every level.

Originally Posted by Jnatcat

I have a razor from Koraat that was obtained thru another Vendor and Ulrik's attention to detail is outstanding, his craftsmanship shows thru at every level.

That is why I wanted to post this, his details and skills seem boundless. Even more so is the customer service, it is out of this world. Awesome razor BTW!

I have a 7/8ths Koraat too and it is by far my favourite razor. The shaves it gives are just great. I am glad that your issue has been sorted and I hope that when you get them they serve you as well as mine serves me.

I keep going back to the razor configurator playing with what my next purchase might be. Just need to get the funds and convince Mrs Porl that another razor is needed. I don't know she just doesn't seem to understand