Thread: 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?

No

But in general, for the average honer, a Full Hollow is easier to hone so they tend to get better edges which in turn makes them think they are better shavers

The edge is the edge, the Steel and HT and Temper really make way more difference than the grind to the edge you can obtain.. The grind can effect the feel of the shave to each individual, luckily we can all choose which we like better

There you go.

NO is the right answer. But too short for a reply.

I think it may depend upon your beard. I have a coarse beard and I love shaving with full hollow, bellied hollow, and even a Boker extra hollow blade.

I only have one quarter hollow razor, a Jerry Stark Custom, and I do not really enjoy shaving with it. It does take a sharp edge and I can get a good shave, but I love the sound of a singing blade slicing through my coarse stubble. Shaving with a straight razor is as much about the experience as it is the quality of the shave. For me, a singing blade adds to that experience.

For me the answer is a no it makes no difference to me what grind I shave with. The experience is different with different grinds though. My preference is for full, bellied and extra full hollow razors for that reason only.

Bob

It depends on why the blade is “singing”, because the blade is so thin, or struggling because it is dull or not fully honed. “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.”

The more razors you hone the better edges you can achieve, assuming you have quality high grit stones.

How ever good your edges are today, they will be better next year. I am constantly amazed at the quality of the edges most folks shave with and consider good.

Make a full hollow and see. HT is paramount, it will show you things about your ht that are masked in use in knives. Use a 4” wheel and if you want more hollow drop to a 2” or go crazy like Bluesman and go 1 3/4”. They’re challenging and you’ll probably oil can a few. The first couple I ground were full hollows. I haven’t successfully gotten what I would consider a singing full hollow.

I agree with JFK
Bluesman7 has made some that looked like faux framebacks.
Get with Vic and see if he has any for sale

Victor has got to be the master when it comes to hollow grinding. Then he does it free hand. Mind blowing.

I want some videos of that!

Waiting for a 4” to get back in stock.