Thread: The "Balanced" Razor

Pray, what does the term "balanced" mean to you when applied to straight razors?

If I wanted to buy a razor, new or old, noted for its "balance," in order to establish a reference blade, what would you recommend?

Thanks,

Rick

Originally Posted by Stracks One

Pray, what does the term "balanced" mean to you when applied to straight razors?

If I wanted to buy a razor, new or old, noted for its "balance," in order to establish a reference blade, what would you recommend?

Thanks,

Rick

I have no idea what this means. I've heard it bandied about a lot But to this day I still don't know what anyone is talking about!

It refers to the weight of the scales compared to the weight of the blade. Ideally it should be evenly balanced when suspended at the pivot point or tang (where you hold it while shaving). If the scales are too heavy, it can pull the blade back when you are shaving (not literally pull) so that it feels like the toe always wants to be trailing the heel.

Personally I have never had a problem with weight issues and razors. If it's comfy, then does the balance matter?

the only thing i can imagine that is of any functional significance is the weight of the blade and scales. i believe the desired location for the center of mass when the razor is open (180 degrees, or pi), is at the pivot pin.
in my mind lighter scales are less of a problem than heavy ones as the heavy ones will tend to twist the blade as you shave, so you have to put more effort with your fingers to hold it at the correct angle.

Edit: looks like Alex types faster than me ... and I was thinking in the right direction.

Originally Posted by Philadelph

It refers to the weight of the scales compared to the weight of the blade. Ideally it should be evenly balanced when suspended at the pivot point or tang (where you hold it while shaving). If the scales are too heavy, it can pull the blade back when you are shaving (not literally pull) so that it feels like the toe always wants to be trailing the heel.

Personally I have never had a problem with weight issues and razors. If it's comfy, then does the balance matter?

This is what I never understood as I never depend on the weight of the razor or scales but rather the grip I hold the razor with and the control I exert over the razor!
It might be different if I was holding a sword!

IMO it should balance around the point where you actually hold it.
Refering to the pivot pin is pointless, since that has no relation to the feeling while shaving.

Otherwise, try and balance a 7/8 wedge. if it need to be balanced at the pivot pin, they are going to be very heavy scales.
But when balanced at the point where you hold it, the leverage of the blade will be a lot less and the leverage of the scales will be a lot more, due to the difference in length.

OK, simple comparison to illustrate what I understand to be a well-balanced straight.

Livi -- always feels perfectly balanced in the hand when gripping, no tendency to tilt, drop, or tip over during the shave. Easy to maintain angle of blade at all times.

Wapi -- the worst balance I've ever encountered. It feels all wrong as the blade always feels (to me) to want to tilt away from the face when gripped. What do you expect with solid steel scales?

Well that's how I interpret balance, anyway.

Originally Posted by majurey

Wapi -- the worst balance I've ever encountered. It feels all wrong as the blade always feels (to me) to want to tilt away from the face when gripped. What do you expect with solid steel scales?

Exactly what I was going to say. Wapienicas are way too heavy due to the scales. Those razors, although very nice, are textbook in being unbalanced (IMO).

Bruno is exactly right. I find if a razor is well balanced it is a joy to use and feels very light in the hand. If the balance is heavy on the blade side its not that big a deal however if the scales are too heavy the razor becomes harder to manipulate on your face and will tend to torque away from you as you shave. Of course you can become used to anything but when you first pick up a scale heavy razor you will feel the difference.

For my two penn'orth, the balance is not at the pivot pin but on the thumb when in use. Some razors definitely are forged so that this thumb-resting point is further or nearer to the pin, thus aiding the 'feel' of balance. Maybe balance is the wrong word to use but frankly I can't think of a better single word to describe it.