Thread: What is he Purpose of the Belly in straight razor?

This question just bothers me . Does anyone knows answer? i include keen cutter picture.

I give up!

What's the belly?

check the picture or click this

How-To and Why -

second picture

I wonder if it had to do with the size of grinding wheels. Larger wheels would be needed for larger full hollows, but larger wheels tend to leave heavier grinds (half/quarter hollow). I could be way off, that's just my intuitive guess.

Or maybe something to do with not wanting to grind off large surfaces of a very hollow (not as strong and more flexible) blade. Heat or frailty issues maybe?

I don't think there is a purpose. I think it is the naturally created protrusion when you grind out the razor.

You want the belly though, as that is the bevel.


That is my guess

Hmmmm...interesting. Well, since not all razors have them, isn't it probably just a design thing?

As I understand it, this was left by some manufacturers to reinforce the bevel, thereby giving you the flexibility and ease of honing of a hollowed blade, but the longer-lasting edge of a stiffer blade.

I should say that particular blade made 1903 so far i had may be 5-9 similar razor ' s and they all been made early 1900 or late 1800.

Maybe we're talking different things. I've never seen a razor without a belly. On the other hand I've never seen a belly as big as the one on the pic that Sham posted.

I think it is just a different type of grind. It is new to my eyes and it must not be all that common and it makes a nice variant in your collection. If I had to categorize it, With the bevel being that large it would have some characteristics of a wedge hollowed part would functionally only serve as to lighten the weight of the blade. Very curious.
Mike