Thread: 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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Thank you for the replies!

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