Thread: What is the best possible razor?

What is the best that ever did exist/does exist or what hypothetical razor would be the best? I'm most curious about material-wise what would be the highest quality handle and blade? Is there a maker that is the Salvatore Ferregamo of razors? [I was going to use a car analogy there but then thought that might start a different fight] Are there any special processes that the metal would have to go through for it to be considered the best?

yes it has to be properly treated steel
Different kinds of steel require different treatment and best is a matter of opinion

as for makers i think Maestro Livi is still the most expensive(dont know if hes best but definietly among the top)

The sharpest one is best.

IMO it's personal preference. Steel, size, grind, and various style elements.

The best razor is always the next one that you don't have yet... then you get it and you like them all.. then it's off to the next one that looks cool to you.

I like the thought of trying to nail down the best case scenario for a razor, but as long as the steel is good, it's heat treated properly, the grind is well done, the scales fit and balance well..... AND it is honed by an expert you are likely to find that it's going to be really hard to nail down a "best"

A certain steel and shape does not a perfect razor make... "perfect" depends on preference and physical requirements, and the skill of the user.

That's not to say that you can't have fun trying them all until you find the perfect one for you!

There was a razor somewhere for $40,000.00, so I guess that would be the Salvatore Ferragamo of razors.
If you want exclusive materials, my pick for the blade would be wootz and for handle beautifully carved tortoise shell. Yeah that's the one for me.
Sadly, I missed the opportunity to acquire a wootz blade, but may be some day there would be more.

I periodically find the perfect razor. Then Butch or Robert or one of the other masterful builders on this and other sites finishes another picture of perfection for me to drool over.

Originally Posted by Del1r1um

The best razor is always the next one that you don't have yet... then you get it and you like them all.. then it's off to the next one that looks cool to you.

That pretty much sums up RAD!

[QUOTE=GaiusValeriusPulcher;612359]What is the best that ever did exist/does exist or what hypothetical razor would be the best? I'm most curious about material-wise what would be the highest quality handle and blade? Is there a maker that is the Salvatore Ferregamo of razors? [I was going to use a car analogy there but then thought that might start a different fight] Are there any special processes that the metal would have to go through for it to be considered the best?[/QUOTE
Boy i bet your glad you started this post, just buy a KAMA straight you will love it!!!!!!

Well, the best razor would be one that becomes transparent to the user. No voodoo required for its care, the microwave of razors. You just use it, it works wonderfully and provides a clean and comfortable shave to the user. No honing, no stropping, no thinking, it simply works.

Razors have been elevated to their current stature and decoration in just the past few years. At one point they were utilitarian items, an appliance used every day without a thought. Now we buff and polish them, put exotic scales on them, have the spines worked, which is nice. I like the looks of a good razor, but in the end, it is the shave that matters. Eye candy is pointless if it shaves like a hack saw. I have some fancy blades, a few one off customs, but in the end, all that matters is how well it shaves. I would take an old blade that shaves perfectly to a pretty blade that shaves ok.

Originally Posted by cannonfodder

Razors have been elevated to their current stature and decoration in just the past few years. At one point they were utilitarian items, an appliance used every day without a thought..

No way! There have always been razors made with more than simple shaving in mind: