Thread: What's Your Favorite Razor??

Sometime ago, I posted a question soliciting the opinion/comments of others concerning their opinion on the preferential qualities between 5/8 and 6/8 width blades as I was about to purchase yet another razor and wanted to have their view-points for consideration before purchase and to consider while shaving as often, when someone more experienced states a fact, it brings your mind to recognize the quality as without the opinion, it would be lost in your inexperience.

With a lot of newer members that is constantly being added to, I thought it might be a good idea to invite everyone to comment on their preference in blade widths, (4/8, 5/8, 6/8. 7/8 , etc., etc.), with the reason for the preference; continuing onto opinions on Wedges vs. full or half/medium hollow ground blades...Sheffield, Solingen...tang widths; with jimps, w/o jimps, all in conjunction to round faces; hollow cheeks, sharp jaw-lines heavy beards to downy fuzz.

Brag on your acquisitions...post photos of new purchases, reconditioned vintage...recognized and no-names.

Might be fun and I would think in a condensed format, it would be a world of information to the new-comer, intermediate and maybe a couple of old-timers who don't need another razor, but certainly deserve one!

I'll be taking notes as I know I deserve another razor

Remember, I think it is important to state the "why's"...why you think this or that about whatever you may offer in opinion.

Okay, shoot...and...Thanks!

I prefer the wider blades (6/8" and wider), not for any reason other than I like the look of them and I like the way they handle when I shave!

I like both wedge and hollow ground razors. They are both an absolute delight to shave with, with the wedge feeling stiffer and heavier in the hand and almost silent during the shave..! I've not noticed a difference in the edge between them, and they both seem as sharp as each other and give comparable shaves.

I started with a DOVO Black Star 5/8" hollow ground round point, and I love to use that as well. But as I added more razors to the stable I've found I prefer the wider ones. I like the extra heft that they have...! I've no particular preference on the tip (round, square or Spanish etc...) and I just pick them based on their looks.

Nice initiative hardblues!

Here's my thought on the subject.

Width: I tend to prefer the somewhat larger blades. 7/8 and 8/8.
Nothing wrong with 5/8 or 6/8, it just feels better and more stable with the larger and heavier blades.
I also prefer the feedback and sound from the more narrow grinds. 3/4 and full hollow is my thing. Heavy yet nimble! Feels like I'm in more control of the shaving process with these blades.
I really do not have any preferences when it comes to the different points of the blades. I am a rookie, I constantly watch them regardless of shape

Now to the actual razors in my rotation:

Top dog: Filarmonica Doble Temple #13. To me this is quite simple the very best I've got. It has a wonderful balance, good size, a keen smooth edge and makes all the right sounds
Second and third place goes to A Palmera #14 Calidad Extralujo Vollmer and the much debated Filarmonica Especial Para Barbas Duras #14.
Much the same reasons here, fine blades, good feedback, wonderful balance.

The other razors in my sig are all wonderful razors in my opinion, I use them all. And they all give me comfortable and close shaves.
For instance, the Dubl Duck wonderedge, is really nice, except for the really pretty and really bad scales on it.

There you have it, my 2 cent worth
If asked again in a few months, this may have all changed. I'm afraid the RAD has not let go of me at all, the hunt continues

Looking forward to what all the more knowledgable and experienced people on SRP has to say about the subject!

I think that choice is a very personal thing. What suits one may be disliked by another. The beauty of razors is that they are relatively inexpensive and you can try a few different styles 'til you find your favourite.
I know that prices have gone up lately, but compared to other interests, two or three razors are still affordable by most.

I think the FAQ sums it up nicely. Additionally, I not believe in extrapolation from one user to the other. Some people think Filarmonicas are the bee's knees. I have tried two, found them inferior in every respect to razors like a Dorko 300 or my Hermann Mehl, and that's that. Tells you exactly nothing about how this razor will perform on your face, with your shaving products, honed by other than Bart...

But then again, exercises in futility contribute a lot to the fun factor of this forum, so here is a collection of razors I personally like: Robin's Shave Of The Day | Fashion fades, only style remains the same (which is why I kept them).

I appreciate your opinion, and I suppose it could be said that the majority of threads and posts @ SRP could be viewed as extrapolative in nature and that the references in FAQ are very subjective in themselves as much of what is written there is little more than someones offered opinion. This thread simply invites an expansion of opinion...and I agree, fun is what this is all about, now isn't it!

Cheers!

My favorite razor without question is a Wade and Butcher "Barber Use Only". There are no grounds for this decision other than the looks of the thing. I have never even used one before.

Unfortunately it is my unicorn. No matter how hard I look I can't find one anywhere that I can get.

Even if I end up getting one and hate how it shaves it will stay in my collection because it is sure a beautiful piece of art to me.

I have a beard on the heavy side of medium that is rather tough, but I don't seem to have highly sensitive skin.

I prefer 13/16ths and 6/8ths hollow ground blades. For some reason 7/8ths is a 16th too far. Pre-Dovo Bismarcks, Carl Schlieper, Filarmonica, Puma, Ducks, TI, Weltmeister, seems mostly Solingen origin.

I do enjoy a nice quarter hollow in the same sizes, W&B, Le Grelot, and a smattering of half hollow Livi regrinds and a TI Super Gnome Extra.

I do keep a few 5/8ths hollow ground blades because they are superior shavers, Wusthof, Waterville Unlimited, DD Wonderedge, TIPTLE, and a few 11/16ths quarter hollows such as Case Red Imp, Union Spike.

But the best of them all is a custom 6/8ths Livi Takeda Damascus about 3/4 hollow.

I avoid blades under 5/8ths, with the exception of my great grandfather's razor which is 9/16ths. I've tried some 4/8ths razors and I just don't care for them personally.

My main focus is on outcomes. I want a sharp razor that provides a smooth, comfortable, and close shave. If it looks good thats a very nice bonus.

I like jimps top and bottom, but bottom only is fine.

Well, I guess I've violated the premise of the thread! Seems I've become a collector as well as a user.

I only have 2. My entry level 5/8 DOVO and a generic shavette.

The DOVO is so superior. But that is my only experience.

From what I have read here, my experiences can only get better as I experiment with other blades and learn how to properly hone and strop (getting much better with my stropping)

Currently i have 7 razors on more or less frequent rotation. There are 2 or 3 of these that i just use more often than others, so maybe they are my favorites.
Those 3 are:
Spike (Union Cutlery)
J.A. Hellberg (from Eskilstuna Sweden)
W&B original bow razor.

I haven't found any logic in using these more than others as i can get a good shave with every razor i have. Spike and Hellberg have quite small blades while W&B is larger. Hellberg is easiest to get dead sharp. Probably because the concave shape.