Thread: Picking your brains on a wishful razor..

I would appreciate to get some advice or help in identifying a potential "ideal" straight razor for myself. Knowing that each of us here on SRP have our own ideas and opinions, I would like to clarify that the "ideal" bit is based only my own requirements, which I will lay out in a bit more detailled in the following paragraph.

I do know that the beauty of suffering of AD is to have, get and try out a multitude of straights and such and that is what many here on SRP are thinking. But I am not really looking for too much variety, all I want is one (or maybe 2) smooth and sharp razor(s), based on my listed requirements below and which fits my hands, allowing me to have a comfortable hold on it.

Considering all the various straights I have used so far, I came to the conclusion that the razor I am envisionig and would most prefer should :
1) have a blade of a weight as, let's say, a 6/8 Grelot or similar
2) be have a grind between a wedge and a 1/2 hollow.
3) definitely not have a thumb notch.
4) have a little bit longer tang (similar to what Joe Chandler does on many of his customs. There are quite a few pics here on SRP of some of his razors and they all have a bit of a longer Tang & tail or trigger or whatever people call it).
5) keep an edge for a decent time after it has been professionally honed and of course with the pre-requisite that i know how to strop, which I am fairly confident to say I can. I just don't want to be bothered having to hone it every 2 months or so, if you get my point.
6) be well balanced and have scales which compliment and balance out the weight of the blade

I have no real preference in regards to satin or mirror finish. I do not really need gold wash on the blades, but if my "ideal" razor comes with it, then be it. I do not mind Spanish, French, Spike or Round points. Oh, and both Carbon and Stainless steel will do. As does Damascus steel.

Knowing a bit my fellow members here on SRP, I am pretty sure that there will be quite a few suggestions thrown my way. Photographs of the suggested straights are very much welcome, but of course not a requirement to post an answer to this thread.

Thank you all in advance for your input, which I am very much looking forward to.

TI Spartacus, mathes all but maybe tang length.
They also sell it with stamina wood handles.
I heard this one is very similar to 1/4 LeGrelot, I am waiting for mine so I can't say how it compares yet.

A Wade & Butche Bow might do you well. They tend to be around 6/8, half hollow, mirror finished with etching on the blade (but no wash), square point with a stylized toe. Most are horn scales, but some are synthetic (depends on the manufacture date I think). I've had a few - all wonderful shavers and they feel fantastic in the hand. Some say Sheffield steel doesn't hold an edge as well as German/Swedish/American because it is a little softer - there was a thread about it somewhere recently.

Only downside is you can't buy them new, but that means you probably get a good price on a vintage one. They pop up now and then on the classifieds.

Originally Posted by mainaman

TI Spartacus, mathes all but maybe tang length.
They also sell it with stamina wood handles.
I heard this one is very similar to 1/4 LeGrelot, I am waiting for mine so I can't say how it compares yet.

Thanks, I also had a look at this one, but it does have a thumb notch as well, which is really something I am not fond of. But otherwise, great choice, I agree.

I have this 1/4 french point wacker-- I love it.

-Chief

Thanks, Chief! That looks very much like I would like it too. Am heading for the Wacker website now..

Smothie my needs list is similar but shorter - just the grind, width, and edge. I can hone the edge so it's just the other 2 things I look for now. Surprisingly once the requirements list is refined, you can find some great shavers on the bay for next to nothing! In the last week I've has 3 blades arrive from the bay that were ugly as hell until I cleaned them up, 2 were no-names, and all 3 turned out to give fantastic shaves. As Holli mentions, the W&B Bow is a good strong blade and is smooth as silk once it's honed and polished.

Thanks, AirColorado. I have considered shortening my 'needs list' but in the end, I would still be annoyed at the one or other factor which I might have left out. See, small details like not having a thumb notch and having a longer tang are quite important to me. And the razors suggestions I've already got so far have pointed me into the direction of some very interesting and nice straights.