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The frameback is a lovely razor. And I'll have one soon. But why is the frameback? Is there a manufacturing advantage? A shaving advantage?
I've read that people enjoy the stiff blade and the ease of honing. Was it manufactured for these reasons? Does it save on steel? Was there a steel shortage in the 18-whenevers?
(And why is there not a frameback club?)
Just curious...
Thanks,
Christopher
As I understand it, the frameback was an attempt to make the blades lighter and thinner but still retain the proper angle for honing at a time when the hollow grind had not been perfected. So they left the spine alone and just removed metal from the sides.
Though, I'd wait for someone a bit more knowledgeable to chime in here.
Steel was, in fact, more costly to produce back then, but it is unlikely to be the reason for the framebacks emergence.
I'd bet it is more of an issue of how easy the design was to manufacture, or just style.
I agree it was a style thing. There were framebacks being produced in the 1800s. Alot came out of Sweden.
By style, do you mean it just looked cool?Quote:
Originally Posted by Russel Baldridge
Me
Some of your really old framebacks actually had the blade and frame two distinct parts. The blade was really not part of the frame. Later, framebacks were one piece.
I think style is just that, like a spanish point or squarepoint. Just another variation.
There is a frameback club known as "The Frameback Fanciers"! It just got off the ground today!Quote:
Originally Posted by CJBianco
I believe you have this backwards The solid ones came first, around 1850 or so! The two piece variety started around 1870 or 1880.Quote:
Originally Posted by thebigspendur
I should state that this information is based on known manufacture dates of both styles of razor and information received from Gary aka Traveller! If anyone else has some solid information on this subject, I would appreciate hearing about it!
I have a few framebacks - I tend to hang on to them as they don't seem too popular although I think they are good myself. Types (I forget makes just at the moment) are fixed blade(can't replace it ever), front screw on the nose tip and tang underlever (which looks a bit odd but in fact works well). If I can dif them out I'll post on the razor club.
I'd love to see a photo of each type of frameback. Maybe including the true vs. faux framebacks?Quote:
Originally Posted by blueprinciple
(I'm new to the game.)
Thanks,
Christopher
Chris, the one I talked to you about is a foux. It looks like you could take the blade and slide it out of the spine to replace it if it were damaged.
So a true frameback is a permanent blade. And a faux frameback is a replaceable blade. Got it.
(It always puzzled me when I read that this one was a true frameback while that one wasn't.)
Thanks,
Christopher
It would be the opposite of what you state! This is how I understand it!Quote:
Originally Posted by CJBianco
It would seem to me that a two piece frame back allowed the manufacturer to use a piece of thin stock steel for the main blade. They put a suitable thickness spine "frame" on the spine for proper bevel angle, and there you have your razor, no blade grinding necessary. Eliminates uneven grinding, etc., just a simple "T" cross profile.
Now I am even more confused. =)Quote:
Originally Posted by JMS
I remember reading somewhere in the BST of someone who claimed the razor for sale was a frameback. The other member said it was not a true frameback, which implies there exists a false or faux frameback, since the other member never denied the razor's general framebackishness.
So I then wondered what is the difference between a true and a faux frameback.
Me
The second picture are framebacks. The first picture is what they used to call concave grinds but people call them framebacks, or faux framebacks if you prefer! I have also heard them called rattlers!
So a true frameback is made of two separate pieces of steel (whether removeable or permanently attached). And the faux frameback is made of a single piece of steel ground into a concave design.
Yes?
Me
Yes! And here is a better picture! Top one is the concave!
So that's what it's called--the concave grind! I've been spying those on eBay for a short while now..and missed the bidding deadline on the last. My God, they are sexy! I want one to go along with my new true frameback!
Thanks,
Me
Don't forget to post a photo in the club page:tu
I posted a moment ago. What a beauty! =)Quote:
Originally Posted by ragnost
Me