Thread: Smoothest shaving razor

Of all the blades I have, I honestly have to say my El-cheapo Whipped Dog special razor (GoldenRod 4/8) shaves me the best, I always get a smooth close shave out of it. My next favorites are my EXTRA hollow Genco's great shavers..


Oddly, my least favorite are my brand new Dovo/TI razors...I'm even toying with the idea of selling them to make room in the case for more "vintage" blades

Originally Posted by justalex

A no name solingen - simple as you can get, plain black scales - and another razor with 'master barber' on it which has the look and feel of a dubl duck. Got both from the bay for £15 for both.

Genco made a 'master barber' model.

I don't think one can 'accurately' name brands as being better or smoother you can get exceptional or lousy razors from all makers. Some makers just have a higher consistency & the honing plays a major role too.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Genco made a 'master barber' model.

I don't think one can 'accurately' name brands as being better or smoother you can get exceptional or lousy razors from all makers. Some makers just have a higher consistency & the honing plays a major role too.

Thats why this thread will go on forever

Wade and Butcher, without a doubt !

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I think the veterans will bear witness to this, that there exists a small select group of razors out there that for some (unknown?) reason they just are remarkable shavers. Maybe the entire fabrication process was perfect from start to finish and those razors cut across all brands and ages and styles and grinds. If you are fortunate to have some like that you will know it.

No matter how much you restore and hone a razor though it may look brand new and give fantastic shaves you can not hone a razor into this select group it's something innate to them.

They probably make up no more than 20% of all the straights ever produced maybe less. I know I have some.

So the answer to this post for me would be that class of razors.

As one of those Veteran Shavers I think TBS nailed that dead on, it isn't about brand or model although there are some that tend to have a better chance of hiiting a "Whoa" razor

That is what I call the top 10%, the ones that you do the first shaving stroke and you say Whoa !!!

I own a few of them not as many as I would like, the names and brands don't mean a thing though, as just because my one razor shaves like that doesn't mean yours will on your face

When you find one it is not always a good thing as it can cause RAD and HAD bad as you try and chase the same perfection on other razors. It can cause Honing OCD too because you start thinking it is your honing and you try and replicate that same feeling on other razors...

Face the fact that that there are just some Whoa razors out there, and if you get one, sit back, relax, and enjoy

That's my story and I am sticking to it

g

Gssixgun, I think you nailed it. The 2nd razor I ever bought was the "WHOAH" razor. I've now acquired 16 razors and 6 homes trying to duplicate what that one feels like. At this rate, by the time I get 1 year under my belt I'll have 160 razors. Lol I think I might already have RAD. Thanks for the help guys.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Genco made a 'master barber' model.

I don't think one can 'accurately' name brands as being better or smoother you can get exceptional or lousy razors from all makers. Some makers just have a higher consistency & the honing plays a major role too.

I call them dave and Joe

All golfers have a favorite club, whether it is the 7 iron or the 3 wood. Since each club is a different length, there is a point where the length of the club and the angle of the face just fit with the body. When this perfect geometry is achieved, a golfer can get the great consistent results with this club. What makes Tiger woods different is he is able to adjust his body to match each club.

Depending on your honing setup, your strokes, technique, and facial hair; you will find a razor that just seems to give your great consistent results. If every razor could be honed using the same procedure, it wouldn't be an art. Hone masters can change their honing style to match a razor.

That being said many razors are simply made better.

Wade & Butcher is my go to Str8. I've got Ern's, Swedes, American made, but there's just something about the Wade & Butcher. Shaving with it is like spreading butter.

I found an old Torrey a while ago which didn't need much work, and it gave me that "Whoa" feeling. The velvet squegee feeling on your face. I found myself looking for Torrey's, but it really does come down to the honing, provided the steel is good.
The old Puma's, Ducks, Genco, ( I have one of those "master barber's" Oz spoke of) are all good.

The Fily's out of the box were fantastic shavers. That's a rare thing. I have a few no name razors I bought over the years for less than 10.00, Great shavers.