Thread: What's your scariest blade to shave with...

Those things are massive, Jimmy. I've often wondered how the snake handles on the hones and strops. What are your thoughts on it in terms of performance? The aesthetics don't even need commentary

Originally Posted by richmondesi

Those things are massive, Jimmy. I've often wondered how the snake handles on the hones and strops. What are your thoughts on it in terms of performance? The aesthetics don't even need commentary

Paul, they shave as good as they look. The points being so aggressive does have me being more careful around the the ear and nooks and crannies in my throat area. They aren't razors to be daydreaming while shaving with them.

Stropping is about like any razor where you have to get the feel of flipping that particular one in a few round trips and than your good to go. I have a large rotation so it is not uncommon for me to forget how a particular razor behaves on the flip. After a number of shaves with both I've never had to hone either of them. They came from Lynn and Don and neither has needed to be retouched since I've had them.

I keep my wits about me with this one

It's only little, but the point is rather ... abrupt. It hasn't got me yet, touch wood.

This is mine. The French point is on the aggressive side, but it's great if you don't let your guard down!

That edge is nearly 3 1/4" long too!

This bugger can be deceiving at times. The finger notches make the razor feel smaller than it is so I have to keep from daydreaming with it

For me "the scariest blade to shave with" is not the one that is wicked sharp, I have a few of those, but the one that is a little too dull.

A blade that is starting to pull makes me want to use a little bit more force than should be needed. Thus "opening up" for a cut.

I note that the points that extend past 90 degrees from the end of the spine are given as examples by a few of us. I love them to look at and to shave with but I am extra careful. What Ben said about a longer 3 1/4 blade is something I've experienced too. You get used to a the standard but I've got one that is 3 1/4 and if I'm not paying attention it will get me in front of the ear every time.

Last week. I finished shaving then decided to have one more pass
I nicked my chin with the heel of the blade whilst the length was positioned on the right side of my face, as the blade stopped and the nick appeared, my first thought was that I had given myself something far worse (scary moment)

oops sorry didn't read the full title of this thread

Any spike point.!!!!

Chris

My most consistent scary-sharp shaver is a slightly swaybacked Civil War-era 8/8 Wade & Butcher with about a half-hollow to 3/4-hollow grind. As far as I can tell it's the quality of the steel more than the design of the blade that makes the difference -- discounting problems like blades that aren't straight or lopsided. This one has the hardest steel of any vintage blade I've honed, and I've honed about 200. It isn't marked Silver Steel, but it's definitely Sheffield steel and I guess W&B had a closely guarded hardening process that gave them a nice grain size.