Thread: Possible Heresy...

I'm not too sure balance is a big issue for me - I currently swap between a Dovo (Micarta scales) and a SS Wapi, and I honestly don't notice the difference in scale weight at all.
Using the scales to control the angle does sound right.
But there are times I wish the scales were just shorter so they didn't get in the way. It would be nice if they could fold in half or telescope to change length.

And while I'm pondering improvements, would it really be so hard to put a locking mechanism on the scales (just for the closed position)? Like a liner lock but in reverse.

Originally Posted by Rajagra

And while I'm pondering improvements, would it really be so hard to put a locking mechanism on the scales (just for the closed position)? Like a liner lock but in reverse.

I have an old Torrey that has a subtle gunstock shaped set of scales (and the blade has one of the coolest grinds I've seen). At the toe end, the plastic scales have a tab at the top of the scales. it flexes enough to expand when you open the razor and click shut when you close it locking the blade in very nicely.

I'll try to get time to post pics.

So.....it's been done before but I agree with you, I'm surprised the idea wasn't more prevalent.

Chris L

Rejagra,

I have used both of the razors you have mentioned. They are both quite heavy razors.

The best balanced razors I have used are the vintage ivory scaled blades from a good maker or shop like Mappin and Webb.

The more modern razors just don't have the same level of finesse about them. I actually thought the DOVO although chunky scales was quite well balanced. The Wapi didn't do it for me. The metal scales were too heavy and the blade just sat dead on my fingers rather than rock.

Generally, the older blades seemed to have thinner scales made of light materials like bone or ivory or thin ebony wood.

If I remember the DOVO Micarta had a nice piece of brass to counterbalance the weight of the blade and chunky scales.

What I look for is the ease of rocking. A well balanced blade will rock but always wants to return to an upright centrered position. Badly balanced scales want to fall over. You have to grip the tang harder to stop the scales falling over.

Well, that how I see it.

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.

Thank you, Robert. This is very helpful...I wasn't thinking about torsion, which of course comes into play with the scales balanced at a 90 degree angle.

I wonder, though, about grip. I think that the scales guide the user's hand into a specific grip--is there no better grip?

Hmmm...We will have to see.

The grip and the balance work in harmony. You can hold a well balanced razor on the top and bottom of the handle with the tips/balls of your index finger and thumb on the gimps. A badly balanced razor has to be gripped more on the sides to offset the tendency of the scales to pull the blade out of position. Well thats my experience.

Originally Posted by Seraphim

So, why haven't you used that scaleless razor for an entire shave, hmmm. Methinks that for touchups it may be fine. Heck for touchups a Mach 3, or Fusion is fine, but I refuse to have an entire shave with one of those things any longer either!

It just never occurred to me to use it for a full shave!

Just chased this link from the thread about the Korn fixed-handle razor (which I've always thought of as the shaving steak knife because that handle looks like the steak knives my family used as a kid).

Reading the posts above, it seems as though there's some confusion about what balance is referring to on a razor. As has been noted above it's not the balance between the blade and scales with the scales straight that's important - it's not a sword (and even with swords that's the wrong definition of balance). At least when I talk about balance in a razor context, what I'm talking about is the balance between the blade and the scales with the scales bent back 270 degrees, so when I'm holding the shank in your fingers the weight of the blade in front of the spine is partially counterbalanced by the weight of the scales on the other side of the spine. I don't necessarily want them to equally balance out, but I do want this counterbalancing to result in a pleasing feel.