Results 1 to 7 of 7
  1. #1
    Mark it zero!
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Norway
    Posts
    62
    Thanked: 5

    Default Shoulderless grind and stability

    What is the difference between a razor with a shoulderless grind compared to a razor with shoulder? As far as I understand, a razor which has a shoulder will have one or two stabilizers. Does this mean that a shoulderless razor has more flex in the blade, or is it stabilized in another way? Or will a shoulderless razor have a thicker blade to maintain the stiffness required?

  2. #2
    They call me Mr Bear. Stubear's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Alton, UK
    Posts
    5,715
    Thanked: 1683
    Blog Entries
    3

    Default

    To look at, its like comparing a DOVO Bismarck (shoulderless) to a Black Star which has shoulders.

    I have both of those razors and, apart from the looks and different feel of holding them, they both perform very well. Certainly the Bismarck doesnt have any more flex in it, and the blade is hollow ground, same as the Black Star.

    I think its really a cosmetic thing, but one of the razor makers will hopefully chime in as well and confirm if the two types need different treatment and design.

  3. The Following User Says Thank You to Stubear For This Useful Post:

    Sigurd Aaset (05-25-2010)

  4. #3
    Carbon-steel-aholic DwarvenChef's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Santa Barbara, CA
    Posts
    2,814
    Thanked: 823

    Default

    Icky gooy mess of a topic really

    There are proponents of both sides of the issue when you look at the basic design. How this affects the shave?? Not at all really, but honing is a different story. Personally I'd take a shoulderless anyday of the week and hone them all day as well. Soulders get in the way and for me don't stabelize enough for me.

  5. The Following User Says Thank You to DwarvenChef For This Useful Post:

    Sigurd Aaset (05-25-2010)

  6. #4
    Know thyself holli4pirating's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    New York
    Posts
    11,930
    Thanked: 2559

    Default

    I find that a shoulderless blade will flex a bit more than a shouldered blade of the same grind and size, but maybe I go into the shaves expecting that so it happens. As wil any style blade, shoulderless blades are available in a number of different grinds - I have seen extra hollows all the way to near wedges. Some people like more flex, others don't.

    Shoulders can bump into the hone, but I don't find it as annoying as I used to. As far as looks, to me it depends on the rest of the razor.

  7. The Following User Says Thank You to holli4pirating For This Useful Post:

    Sigurd Aaset (05-25-2010)

  8. #5
    Senior Member blabbermouth Joed's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Upstate NY
    Posts
    5,003
    Thanked: 1827

    Default

    I like the looks of the shouldlerless blades better but enjoy the shaves off both equally. The shoulders will get in the way when honing if the blade is worn from multiple honing sessions. Wen the shouldered blades are new and for many proper honing sessions (not chip repairs) the shoulder does not touch the hone. Check out some pics of new shouldered blades and then look through eBay paying attention to the shoulders. Where the shoulder touches the bevel you will see hone wear. On a blade that is not worn the shoulder does not touch the bevel.
    “If you always do what you always did, you will always get what you always got.” (A. Einstein)

  9. The Following User Says Thank You to Joed For This Useful Post:

    Sigurd Aaset (05-25-2010)

  10. #6
    Senior Member blabbermouth JimmyHAD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    32,564
    Thanked: 11042

    Default

    I don't really feel a difference. It seems to me that the makers would allow enough stock in the grind to compensate for any reduction in stiffness as a result of the stabilizers being gone. I suppose it is a matter of aesthetics. It seems to me it would be cheaper to finish a shoulderless as opposed to a grind with stabilizers but they still make more of the latter than the former AFAIK.
    Be careful how you treat people on your way up, you may meet them again on your way back down.

  11. The Following User Says Thank You to JimmyHAD For This Useful Post:

    Sigurd Aaset (05-25-2010)

  12. #7
    Mark it zero!
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Norway
    Posts
    62
    Thanked: 5

    Default

    Thank you for the replies!

    I like the look of a shoulderless razor. Good to know that the grind doesn't affect performance.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •