Thread: Theory of blade shape

Originally Posted by mbaglio100

Possibly a re-grind to get rid of a heel chip? I've seen a lot of old Genco ads from the 'teens and twenties and those have all been even in width across the blade.

I doubt that't the case, this blade looks like it still has the factory bevel on it.

There are LOADS of older razors that are wider at the toe than the heal, similar to the image the OP provided. This is particularly common on Swedish framebacks and Sheffield near wedges. I don't know why that shape was popular, and I couldn't begin to guess. Personally, I don't like it; I find it less comfortable to shave with than a uniform blade width or a slight smile that is widest in the center of the razor. I especially don't like it on 5/8-6/8 razors, because I find there is not enough thumb clearance for me to use the heal of the razor on certain strokes.

Could this wider toe be to account for the typical heavy toe wear that we see on older worn razors ?

I'm just brainstorming here.

Originally Posted by Glenn24

Could this wider toe be to account for the typical heavy toe wear that we see on older worn razors ?

I'm just brainstorming here.

I think that's just down to honing a kinder (easier) point,more often than not. Post dates the ones the OP is referring to IMHO.