Thread: Razor Quality

In my limited experience, I ask if the difference between the razors might not arise from the fact they might be ground very differently? Ie I find a blade with a 1/4 grind / almost wedge grind to be a different shaver to a 3/4 grind / full grind blade.

I'm still experimenting, but to me, the 1/4 / near wedge razor needs more sharpening (honing and stropping) to match the shaving performance of a 3/4 / full hollow or even a 1/2 grind razor. The 1/4 / near wedge razors do, however, give a comfortable shave.(Less flexing)

Obviously there are differences between Solingen razors from different manufacturers - Puma steel generally - even for their knives-is harder, not to mention the differences in steel between Solingen, Swedish, US British & Japanese razors. My Genco Head Barber 5/8 half grind (US made, of course) holds its edge better than the non-Puma Solingen blades I have.

One doesn't know how the new Boker's (Solingen) configuration-grind, width, compares to great-grandfather's razor (also Solingen) -ie are we comparing apples to apples, or apples to oranges?

Different grinds will feel radically different as you shave however your whiskers don't come in contact with the grind, only the very shaving edge.

There should be no difference in the final result no matter the grind. If there is either one of the razors is not proper sharp or you are wielding it differently.

No two razors will hone or shave identically, even if they come from a seven day set of matching razors. There are always differences in the way the steel was ground, tempered, honed and stropped, even when an attempt is made to keep things as uniform as possible. That is why I wanted to learn to hone my own razors rather than rely on someone else to do it for me.

I currently have a collection of 25 razors that vary in country of origin, steel type, tempering, grind, blade width, etc. Although I have a basic procedure I follow when honing, every razor requires slight variations in that process to achieve the best edge with that specific razor. Sometimes I hone a razor and when I test shave, I find it is either not keen enough or not smooth enough, so I go back and try to figure out what to do to make it right. Sometimes I have to use a different finishing hone to get the edge where I want it to be.

I have a Wostenholm pipe razor (Sheffield)that I inherited from my uncle. I never knew him to shave with a straight razor, so I think it might have been his father's. It is a wonderful shaver. I also have a Boker USA vintage razor that I restored. It shaves OK, but not as good as the Wosty as it had some pitting in the blade.

I have modern razors made with both Sheffield and Solingen steel. With proper honing, they all shave well. I have a Boker silver steel extra hollow ground that is one of my best shavers.

You are correct about the stropping process. I had to get a new Ralf Aust rehoned after I stopped it a few times because it didn’t shave as well as a new Boker. After it was honed, the shaves were virtually the same.

Hi -- here are some photos per your request, following up on last month's thread. The first photo shows my great-grandfather's razor, a "Gebruder Rauh" from Solingen (most likely early-to-mid 20th century), with my Boker King Cutter below it for comparison. I included a closer shot of the brand name of my great-grandfather's razor, plus the unique wooden case it was in. The top of the case slides off to reveal a felt-lined compartment that holds the razor. Below that is a compartment with a stone for honing. A leather strop is fastened to the bottom.

Very cool.

FYI. Great grandfather's razor's name is "Gebruder Rau(h) ? Rau(m)?"
Gebruder wth 2 dots on the u (umlaut) is German for "brothers"
Nice wooden case, many years ago pen & pencil cases were similar.

That's a fantastic set! So many of us wish that we had heirloom razors from family members past.

Although new to shaving myself, I've found it helpful to view the edge of the blade under magnification. A jewlers loop works great for this purpose.

I have a similar issue with one razor working great, and another (honed by the same person as the first) that is pulling badly. I used a loop to compare the two blades and it seems my "reputable honemeister" (not from this forum) won't be getting any more of my business.

Best of luck!

Actually, he made an appearance here for a bit to discuss his own work and product and then disappeared again.