Thread: Possible Heresy...

I just use a razor without scales when it's in the restoration process. If I'm going to dress the razor with some new scales, I prefer to hone the blade without the scales. I find that the "balance" here is not an issue.

Totally agree with Papabull.

Scales have a very sophisticated design developed over many years. Some razors are balanced much more finely than others. Lead or pewter was used as the balancing weight because they are soft metals which could be easily shaved of weight to achieve the correct balance.

Most importantly, scales balance the razor in the hand whilst shaving. Just a gentle touch with the thumb will swing the blade effortlessly towards or away from the skin. When you hold a razor, you can tell instantly if it is well balanced or not. I do not know how the manufacturers weighted the scales other than by hand but I do know its not by chance that some razors are superbly balanced.

High quality razors are just a delight to hold and use. You don't have to grip them, they balance in the hand and the natural shaving position perfectly. Whatever the blade size, a good razor is always complemented by a balancing set of hand weighted scales.

Does it matter. Well its like the difference between a fine writing instrument or a bic biro They both work but the one is much more pleasant experience to use than the other.

I remember my Mother would always check new cutlery by checking the balance on a fork. She would say, they all know how to balance the knife, always check the fork or a spoon and that always sorts the men from the boys.

It's the same with a good razor. It should balance in the hand whilst shaving without you having to even think about it.

IMHO if your razor doesn't do this, you are missing a trick.

For me it would make stroping very hard. When I strop my pinky always has some light grip on the scales. That could be a me thing anyone els notice somthing like this?

Matt

Originally Posted by PapaBull

I'd wager I handle razors a bit more than the average guy both with and without scales. The razors we typically use are of a design that isn't particularly ergonomic or functional without scales. The scales are more than simply a sheath or protective covering for the blade. They form a cross section of leverage that keeps the blade steady and straight with minimal effort. It is easy to torque a blade without scales, but once the scales are on and slid into a using position, it forms a brace that prevents sideways torque. The Japanese took a different direction and simply built a more usable handle into theirs and didn't bother with scales. I think the western design is actually more clever and provides better resistance to torque, which allows you to maintain a steady angle while using it with relative ease.

That said, I know of a great grand uncle in Cuba that my mother tells me shaved with a double edge razor blade pinched between his fingers and sharpened by sliding it inside a drinking glass to hone it. Just because he was able to shave that way doesn't mean it's a method to be recommended. Likewise, you can shave with a razor that is stripped of scales, but I wouldn't recommend it.

That sums up my feelings on the topic.

I've tried shaving with a blade without scales, although the balance wasn't really an issue, the sideways torque was.

an experiment you say? and all i need is a razor with some broken scales? now that is intriguing. i broke the scales on a Puma i have that needs a lot of edge work so now i am think i will hone it up (which won't be easy) and try it out with no scales before making th aluminum scales i had planned on. the nice thing is i have another Puma that is exactly like it except unbroken so i can do an exact comparison. oh this will be good, very good. or bad if i cut myself, but lets not put that out there.

now i just thought of something here. everyone (well not everyone i guess) is talking about the sideways tork problem rather then balance and my Pumas have a rubber grip which makes for less slipping and a larger spot to grip. this may make a difference on sideways tork, though i can still compare with scales and without.

Jim - forget all the theoretical discussion on this one - pull the scales off a razor or hone up a resto razor like Chee's talking about w/ the puma, then give it a shot. See how you like it. If you like it, stick with it. If you don't then get a brass pin and start peening....

I think that you're going to find out how sucky it is and put the scales back on, but that's just me. I've been wrong once in my life, and this could be the second time. You might like it.

I've got an old W&B in need of scales, but it's shaving sharp. It's really not sooo hard to shave with or anything - not nearly as comfortable or ergonomic as with scales - but it can be done. The really crappy part is actually the stropping. I don't know why, it just feels horridly wrong to me. That's MHO, so YMMV. TTYL.

+1 on what Papa Bull said about torque.

Plus, I simply can't picture how it could be safely and comfortably stropped. Unless very slowly.

A straight without scales seems to me like a boat without a rudder.

JimR,

I think you're on to something here. Pound the rivets out of several of your razors to free them of the burden of their handles and shave away. Report back once you've had a chance to experiment thoroughly.

Personally I like scales on my blades, but I've floated against the current before. You could be on the cusp of a revelation, epiphany even.

Let us know how it goes. Got an alum block? Bandages?

JimR has been in Japan too long...he's going native!