Thread: The razor that I would like to obtain.

I've been using a straight for about 7 months now, and I have 3 razors.

My first razor seems to be a bailey 4/8, full hollow blade Square tip (muted) blade.

My second razor is a Dovo 5/8 Full Hollow Round Tip Blade

My 3rd Razor is a Claus 5/8 full hollow blade....The tip on it is curved up so I am thinking it had been chipped and had the chip honed out forming the curved up tip.

With those razors...I like the Claus the best. It has to be my favorite blade because the steel seems to be the best quality and holds the edge the best. Don't get me wrong, I shave with my other two razors also, but the Claus seems to be my favorite......I just don't like the tip.

However; after shaving with these blades and reading about different types of blades and such....I've come up with what I think my favorite blade would be if I could ever get my hands on one.

1) First and foremost; it has to be a good quality blade, one that will take a great edge and be able to maintain the edge. Without this criteria, all other things are null and void in a razor.

2) I like the 5/8 size blade. My 4/8 blade works, but just seems kind of small really. At seeing some of the 6/8 blades, they seem kind of large, and i know a 5/8 fits quite nicely for me.

3) All my blades are full hollows, but I just seem to have a strong desire for a 1/2 hollow blade. I just feel like the little bit of extra weight of the blade would serve very nicely for me. Without actually shaving with a 1/2 hollow, I can't say for sure if it would be a "perfect" for me, but I think that is where I would go for now.

4) After shaving with the square tip of my Bailey 4/8, and the round point of the Dovo blade, I think I really like the square tipped blade (muted), but I wouldn't mind a "slightly" rounded tip (ie. more of a " ( " type of tip than a " C " tip edge <if that makes sense>). I like the looks of a round tip, but the square tip seems to do the best for me in a couple areas on my neck, so something with a slight round tip might serve OK, but the square muted tip I know works well.

5) Last, and Very much the "least" important thing that I would like is a "shoulderless" blade. I can't really say for sure why I would like a shoulderless blade, but it is just something that I like.

With that said; I'm kind of curious as to all of you to which blades that are your "go to razors", what is it about the blade that you like so much and why do you prefer it over your other blades.

I like smiling wedges, wedges give smooth shaves and smiles makes it easy for me to reach the spots a straight blade has more difficulty with. French points are great also, for fine detail control.

I thought about the French point as well, but I don't have any hollows in my neck that drastic that the point of a french point blade is needed. But it is something I'd have to think on.....I suppose if I ever end up with a 5/8 square tip (since my current square tip is a 4/8) an found that I can't quite get in the hollows, then the tip of a french point would probably serve quite well.

The one thing that all of my keepers in my collection have is the quality of the edge. Size, grind and country of origin are not really important. A small Ator and a Wusthoff from Germany, A Wostenholm frameback and a Mappin Lancet Edge from the UK to a Tornblum from Sweden and a Le Grelot from France. They have nothing in common apart from the quality of the shave they deliver.

My two favorite full hollows are a Pollart (rounded nose), and a Duble Duck (rounded nose). My favorite heavier blade is a 6/8 shoulderless le Grelot. And a smiling John Coe near wedge with a square tip. But I like the John Coe more because of the smile than the square tip.

I just have to love a JA Henckels 5\8 spike, with very little mute. That being said, any quality blade that delivers a smooth shave will have a home in my rotation. Best, wildhog

I am currently favoring half hollow to full wedge with a notch point. A 5/8 or 6/8 but 7 or 8/8 is fine too.

I've tried enough blades to have my preferences somewhat cemented, but find 4/5 of the blades that I keep have few of my preferred traits. They're kept mostly 'cause the edge-taking and shave-giving qualities overwhelm my preferences.

I tend to shop for ergos - comfortable, and typically larger, heavier surfaces with which to grip or hold a blade. I like most points except round, but if the round is very modest, they can be fine too. 'Like the Spanish & French points best - for precise work around the 'stache.

Edges seem to dominate my impressions of a blade. I have some I love that are fussy about taking an edge, but very rewarding when you put up with the fuss (Wackers - 5 of 'em). My favorites are those blades that just WANT to take a lovely edge, and alot of this has to do with how its been cared for or honed in the past.

For some reason, I tried, owned one big name Soligen, and was underwhelmed. 'Good, but not great. Then I had 3 of their shoulderless models cross my path, and each was a superior shaver. Coincidence? That would be my guess, but its had me noticing shoulderless blades from that maker ever since.

What I keep advocating is for guys to get together and try each other's gear. I've put that invite out to those around Portland, OR repeatedly. This allows us to try gear without having to purchase (and likely sell) a lot of gear to find the 'keepers'.

However you get to your holy grail of blades, enjoy the ride. I'm still trying to get my head around having only 3 blades.

I don't have a preference really, I like all types. I usually just take out 9 razors for rotation, (because that's what fits) and use them for a few months, then take out another set. I've collected quite a few over time. I've thought about preserving all my vintage stuff, possibly display cases of some type, and using the new blades, Dovo's, TI's, Boker's, and Customs...but changed my mind, and figured I may as well enjoy what I have.

I have a bunch of razors with a variety of grinds, sizes and points that I shave through. I don't really have a favorite bit di enjoy the differences of each razor. I would suggest looking for and attending razor meets in your area or within traveling distance. At the meets you can oogle other people's razors and maybe try a few different styles that appeal to you. There are a few SRP members in your state. send them a PM and maybe they will meet up with you and show their gear. I find this is the best way to see and try some of the gear you may be interest in and kick your RAD up a notch or two. Regardless of the style or grind it's the quality of honing that usually makes one razor feel different than another if both are made of quality steel with a good heat treatment. There are a few steels and brands that exceed others but good brands and steels will all give good shaves with a good edge.