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When you look to buy a razor. Size of blade? Shape of the tip? Weight of stock? Manufacturer? Fancy? Worked Spine? Shaving ability or reputation? Handle shape? Handle material? Stainless? Damascus?
So many variables........Over the last few years 7/8 and larger blades have become increasingly popular. I like them too, but really need to watch it when shaving with them as I tend to flatten out the angle around the chin and jaw.
This should be a very interesting discussion.
Lynn
I'm not a big collector myself but am looking for a small dozen of blades for my weekly rotation.
1. Blade shape !! (Very important to me)
2. Blade stamping (if it's not my taste there is little chance I would buy it even if other characteristics suits my needs)
3. Blade size (4/8 - 7/8)
4. Scale shape
5. Scale material (not too fund of ivory colored/looking scales)
To me the overall apparence of the straight is very important to me.
But in the end it is also the shaving abilities that count (but that's to find out after shaving with it).:w
My favorite is still my first Thiers Issard "Évidé Sonnant Extra" 5/8. Classy, simple and a great shaver.
All of the above Lynn. However,mostly whatever catches my eye and even more importantly than that--whatever the wife will allow me to spend on it! :w
-Pary
When I'm looking for a razor, My first reaction is to check out the size (prefer 5/8ths or 6/8ths,) then for a rounded toe. With all else being equal, then it boils down to the best looking scale (wood, bone, anything other than plastic) Lately, I've been checking out razors without the gold wash on the blade and file worked spines. The pink ivory is looking purdy good at the moment :w
LIMIT
Here lately I have been looking for wedges, with either horn or bone scales. But I if I find something nice and restorable I usually grab it.
I'm always on the lookout for a French point. They seem to be ridiculously hard to find. I know one of the retailers sells the Dovo's, but I'm not a fan of the scales on those.
I'll keep searching though!
(I also like the Spanish point. Not a fan of the barbers point).
I try to keep an eye out for good steel! Some of this is found by reputation, but for the most part I tend to "feel" for it. Don't really know now to explain the process, but I hope someone else that shops this way can chime in.
In order
Quality Steel
Grind: full hollow or singing
Size: 11/16 (easy to handle yet still retains some weight)
Point: Spike
Etch: Real not washed
Scales: Cracked ice or colored celluloid, acrylic, etc:
Bolsters: Oh yeah love those
Inlays: Even just the brand, is way cool
I look for a blade in good condition, with no cracks or little to no hone wear first, you'd be surprised how many you can find:)
then I look at the size...5/8 or bigger,
then I look at the brand.
Iv'e got quite a few options open to me in my collection at the moment .But I find myself being increasingly drawn to 5/8 spike blades ,I love the look & feel of them & seem to be shaving with a lighter touch & getting the shave done just that bit faster,so the lather does'nt dry out.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lynn
I love the look of plain steel & no worked spine's .My favorite scale material just has to be bone can't quite tell you why its just a feel thing.
But you just know that this will change in the near future being as fickle as I am .Paul
For me it is all about reputation of the shave quality. Though the look of a razor is nice, more important to me that affects the shave quality is the balance and feel of the razor.
Chances are if it gets really high reviews I'll consider buying it. Lots of razors shave well, but if I'm going to buy a new one at this point, I'd really like the chance at a razor that shaves nothing short of amazing.
It's interesting that so many people are particular on the look, grind and size of the razor, is this in correlation to looks? Or to percieved shave quality? Or a little of each?
If it's stainless I don't care what it is... Nada
I'm a sucker for long tails and will stop and look at anything (see above) with a long tail.
Not crazy about 4/8's so 5/8 and up.
Odd blade shapes also catch my eye but I always end up with more traditional shapes.
Scales are so easy to swap around that I can ignore them to some point.
I tend to be a looker not a buyer :) But what really attracts me to a razor is the scales. I've got several plain black ones, and a few whites and some pretty wood. What I want next will be some colored plastics, swirls and such. If the scales don't fascinate me I won't bother looking at the blade. A Grim Reaper would be nice too.
Size matters not at all. Although I only have one 4/8's right now and would like another. Shape isn't important either though round points are my least favorite. Some blades just look sexier than others and this barely defined characteristic would be the second thing I would want out of my next razor.
I like big blades,7/8 or 8/8.It dont have to be fancy razor,but I dont like plastic scales.
~RPR~
I look for a jimped tang if I can find it. I find they are easier to control and feel safer in my hand when stropping. That said my favorite razor is W&B wedge with no jimping. It is harder to strop with though.
+1 ditto on the plastic scales. A steel blade that costs hundreds matched with a set of scales that must have cost 3 buckaroos to mold doesn't sit well with me. I am a sucker for the larger blades as well :)Quote:
Originally Posted by rickypr
For my collection (not rotation) I go for the following -
George Butler 'Shakespeare' razors
Razors from Slingers of Preston (home town)
very old Sheffield razors 1790 (or earlier if possible) - 1837 for preference. At this age all you get is horn or ivory scales mainly. I picked up a matched pair of 'Woods Patent' wedges recently with carved ivory scales. That sort of thing is my favourite. Other makers, W&B, Marshes & Shepherd, Wostenholm, Greaves etc. Lord knows how much I've spent, I daren't look! :eek: