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Bluesman Blades
Hello all.... Since its been a little slow the last few weeks here on the forum let me see if i cant strike up a little conversation... I just received my new Koraat razor the other day and i can not be happier about the choice.. The Koraat 14.2 has everything i was looking for and exceded my expectations.. When choosing after a lot of time and thought i narrowed it to 2 brands.. Koraat & Bluesman Blades.. I went with the Koraat more so on a lot more reviews i found as opposed to a Bluesman.
I have already begun to research my next custom with the Bluesman being my choice as of now.. My question is im hoping i can find a few of you who have a Bluesman and wouldnt mind posting picks and giving your opinion and review of the razor.. And even better yet would be if anybody has a Koraat & Bluesman to give a comparison of both.. Thanks gents, Scott W
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I don't have one, but the beautiful patterns in his steel and the bounty of pics of his superb grinding are evidence enough.
Were I to buy one, I would request a French-point. I know....:D
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I would go with a French Point myself.. My top choice of points.. Round is just that, too round. Square or Spike i seem to catch that damn point right under my nose too often... French is perfect right between.
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Victor does make beautifully ground, and very very thin razors.
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They do indeed look gorgeous.. I have seen a number of pictures of his work but only the one youtube video Victor has linked on his sight. The gentleman that did the review was pleased to say the least... Would love to see one in person that is for sure..
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I have never shaved with one but I do think that pictures do not do them justice and they are way nicer in hand.
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Shaun.. I bet FactCheck would give that statement a thumbs up... I hope to find out in the not too distant future...
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From my firsthand observation of Victor forging and grinding razors at the annual Charlie Lewis razor meet in Texas I can say with certainty that his is an excellent razor. Personally I would be far more inclined to purchase one of Victors over the Koorat or most other makers. I saw him start out years ago and he has now reached a level of competence that few others will match.
He really knows his stuff. :)
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Ive never shabe with Victors razors or own one, but ive held them in my hand and ive been completely blown away buy his grind. A few folks do this grind, but Victors in my hand was just amazing. I hope to own one some day.
Ok, one thing that just came to mind on Victors razors. He uses special bolts instead of pins. I asked him one time about it and its what he likes to use. They look good! He also said that if i ordered one he would be more than happy to use pins if i requested it. Its just one of his things he always does. Part of his style i guess you could say.
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I own two. Cannot speak highly enough. His grinds are great and I love to his blade profile. It reminds me of an improved Buck Salient...but way better.
Concerning the comparison. Finish quality (polish, variety of scales/profiles etc) - edge to Koraat. The blade profile is more traditional also. Keenness of edge is about the same. Bluesman edges out Koraat in ergonomics for me. Very slim in hand, strops well, small belly and recessed point are really well executed. This is the crux. His style is either appealing to you or is not. To me it is
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The bellied grind that Victor does is mind boggling if you ever seen his shop. I asked him how he manages to grind like that. He explained it while we were standing infront of his grinded. I still dont see how someone could manage the perfection it takes to grind that way in the way he does it. I was thinking it had to be done by some special computer controlled machine. Nope. Its Vic's hands and eye's. Amazing is not a big enough word.
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2 Attachment(s)
Ok, here goes...
Attachment 293836
My three Bluesman Blades
Attachment 293837
My three Koraat's
Basically, for me the two are apples and oranges.
My Koraat's are big, heavy near wedges with outstanding quality, feel and workmanship.
All are great shavers.
The blades are more mass produced, as Ulrik buys them in bulk.
My Bluesman Blades are a lot lighter and are of equally outstanding quality, feel and workmanship.
All are great shavers too.
The blades are all hand forged, ground and finished by Victor, a real good friend.
He also makes hand makes the scales which are micarta.
I don't have any experience with Koraat's that are full bellied hollow ground.
I can bring them to the Meetup in Wisconsin in September if you'd like to check them out.
Pete <:-}
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Victor may be one of the finest custom grinder of razors ive seen, I have many customs, by some of the best, Bluesman blades are much better than most and is good as any other, to me its all about the grinding now. many make very nice blades that are cool or traditional, but its the grinding that makes it a work of art that works. Koorat, vs Victor, I choose Victors, it still comes down to grind, his is the best. Tc
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Pete-I love that 1st Koraat with the blue scales and the worked spine!
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Thanks for the replies gentleman.. Without ever seeing one of Victors razors it gives me an understanding of the extra cost compared to my Koraat.. And unless i already have a Bluesman before Dave's meet in September I would love to see one of your razors Pete...Thanks all, Scott W
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Koraat does very nice work. Dont want to down grade his abilities, but Victor does all his work so slowly and with love of the razor. With the time he has to put into his grinds and forging, i dont know how he can sell them. If you count the amount of time he spends being so picky, his razors would cost even more. But he sells for a resonable price for a custom IMO. Might not have all the special spine work and such but...
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Wether it be Victor, Ulrik, Bruno, Max, Ralf Aust or any other one man razor making operation, I love the fact that the razor has been tended to by a single person from start to finish. This ensures attention to detail and a level of craftsmanship that, in my opinion, is second to none. It hands down beats anything that is mass produced and comes rolling off an assembly line.
Hats off to the gentlemen that preserve the old school ways of doing things!
Pete <:-}
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TCMichigander, It looks as though we will both be at the Wisconsin meet, so you will be able to see several razors in hand and test shave a few of them.
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I saw that @ the Wisconsin Meet thread but at work and hadnt yet responded this same thing.. Sorry to hear the gigs/shows got cancelled but i'm sure looking forward to seeing your work in person.. And to get the chance to be amongst some great artisan's.... Cant wait!!
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I was at the Wisconsin meet in September and got to meet Victor (Bluesman) who drove all the way from Denver. We had some great discussions on forging and tempering steel, etc. He was setting the bevel on a new razor he had just completed. I was able to test the edge as he progressed. Victor has great attention to detail in all aspects of his workmanship, from forging, to grinding, to scale making, to honing.
When we parted ways on Sunday following the meet, I told Victor that I need to start "saving my pennies" to purchase one of his razors. I contacted him a few days ago to make arrangements to purchase one of his razors with the intention of it becoming my Christmas present. When it arrives, I will post pics.
These are some things I like about Victor's razor construction. All of my current razors have plain steel. The one I ordered has is modified San Mai forging. San Mai is a three layered construction. Victor uses plain carbon steel for the center layer so the edge of the blade will take a great edge. The outer layers are damascas pattern steel, providing both a beautiful appearance and toughness.
The blade has a slight smile, but it is not as pronounced as some custom blades. Thus, I do not predict any issue with honing.
The blade is shoulderless. That makes the blade easy to hone, yet the tang remains beefy enough to maintain a good grip when shaving, honing, and stropping. That is important to me with my large hands and arthritic fingers. I have trouble with typical thumb notches such as those on the Dovo Bismark and Boker Elite. I should not have an issue with Victor's blades.
Victor produces a thin, full-hollow, bellied grind. It appears to be similar to the new bellied grind by Ulrik of Koraat, and the one produced by Brian Brown of BRW. I have a tough beard and thin grinds work best for me. I love the singing of thin blades as they slice through my tough beard. It takes a lot more skill to produce a thin grind than it does the quarter hollow grind used by many razor makers. A thin grind takes a lot more time and skill; just the slightest error in a thin grind will destroy the entire blade. That is why some razor makers avoid thin grinds. Bluesman has the skill to pull it off.
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Hi Ray.. Very good assesment of Victor's razors.. I received a Bluesman about a week ago and have not yet had time to post my opinion on SRP.. In short it will be a glowing review..I have a Koraat 14 2 also and and the quality, attention to detail and workmanship are similar the 2 razors are 2 completelty different animals and i love using both of them.. I really enjoy the longer tang on the Bluesman for better control and wish nore makers would do this. Are you getting a 7/8 Ray? Because I got a 6/8 and have no regrets with that size it is a very lightweight and somewhat compacted razor.
Being you said you are a little arthritic and have b8g hands i would definetly recommend the larger razor.. Maybe even a 8/8 if Victor offers that size? Ill honest after getting this razor from Victor and seeing first hand what a craftsman and artisan he is i wish i would have purchased his San Mai forged blade.. They look absolutely gorgeous!!! Congratulations on your decision to buy a Bluesman Ray and you definitely wont be disappointed.. Scott W.. Also i want to point out that my love of my new Bluesman in no way is a Bluesman or Koraat review... They are voth fantastic razors and pieces of art.. I think if afforded everyone should own at least one of each :)