Thread: Why is the frameback?

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.

Originally Posted by Russel Baldridge

I'd bet it is more of an issue of how easy the design was to manufacture, or just style.

By style, do you mean it just looked cool?

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.

Originally Posted by CJBianco

(And why is there not a frameback club?)

There is a frameback club known as "The Frameback Fanciers"! It just got off the ground today!

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

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 believe you have this backwards The solid ones came first, around 1850 or so! The two piece variety started around 1870 or 1880.
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.

Originally Posted by blueprinciple

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?

(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.