Thread: The Closest Shave

I picked up this razor, a 13/16 Robert Klaas "4088", in a market in Mexico city for about 25 dollars last year. As you can see, its back scale is broken at the pin. Yet this is without a doubt my closest shaver. Nothing in my collection (including a TI, a C-Mon Blackie, a Henckels wedge grind, various W&B's, various Joseph Rodgers, a Filarmonica, amongst others) approaches this razor in sharpness. Because its so sharp it requires an especially light touch; otherwise its incredibly easy to cut oneself. Since I tend to let my beard grow for about 4 or 5 days before shaving, I usually reserve the Klaas for the second and third passes, letting one my wedges to do the heavy lifting on the first pass. The results are spectacular.

Klaas razors seem to be somewhat underrated (although there is a Klaas club with a small number of posts here on SRP), so I thought it would be useful to share my experience. In fact, it would be interesting to get some responses from other straight shavers here to the following question:

¿which razor in your collection gives you the closest shave?

when dialed I have 3 that tie
5/8 C-Mon restored by Glen
6/8 Dovo best (seriously its just one of the good ones)
9/16+ Russian razor

Any and all of my Palmeras,those and my Fillys and a few other large blades are all I use anymore,Sold/selling all the rest.

For me, it's a 5\8 JA Henckels full hollow. The razor is carbon steel and very "plain jane". Very Best, John

I have a vintage bismark that shaves so close that I bleed every time I use it.

Glen will soon be restoring a Kinfolks Blue Steel Special 11/16 that is as sharp as anything I've put to my face short of kamisori. I love that blade despite its smallish size.

In my collection:

1. no name, no brand razor-just amazing http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...orn-razor.html
2. Green Lane Stone razor -http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...id-needed.html
3. Jordan, A. J. "Old Faithful" 5/8

I took my 6/8 Boker to my coticle the other night because it was very sharp but harsh - now it is fantastic.
My Wosty is a really lovely shaver too

Though steel quality undoubtedly can be a factor the reality is that honing is more responsible for a close shave than the actual razor.

That being said my vote would be any of my four Mappin & Webbs.

Good point Ryan. Also shaving technique, prep & lather all play a part.

I only have 2 razors & 2 trimmers in my collection & the best shave comes from anyone of them except the 2/8 mimizori which is just for ear hair