Does a singing blade actually shave better, or it it all in my head......or my ears?
Does a singing blade actually shave any better?
I am getting into making my own razors. I have made about 5 at this point. They are 1/4” spines with 6/8-8/8 dimensions from 1095. Made some traditional and some fixed handle styles. A few straight and a few with slight smiles. I use a 6” wheel which gives me what looks like a quarter hollow grind.
Each one is teaching me more about making them, bevel setting and honing.
As I use each razor I compare them to shavers in my collection that I have used over the last 3-4 years. Most are typical 5/8-6/8 full hollow blades. I do use a Solingen near wedge and recently picked up a custom smiling 8/8 Roman Kamlash full hollow (This is an amazing blade!!)
My first few shaves were terrible. Scratchy, hair pulling events.
Most recently with a straight edged fixed blade I achieved good results. Not a great shaving feel but result was great.
Today I shaved with the Roman blade. The thing sings wonderfully. As I shaved I realized that under the singing auditory feedback I think it felt nearly identical to my shave with the quarter hollow DIY blade. End result was perceived to be identical. The quarter hollow does not sing. The only sensation you get is the actual tactile feel of the razor.
My other best shaver is an old Solingen near wedge that just seems to glide with no feedback, so I do know singing is not a requirement.
Is this just me trying to feel better about myself and the fact I dont have the skills yet to make a full hollow blade?
Does the auditory feedback disguise some of the sensation of tugging and pulling from a blade?