Thread: Strange how things change

Is the one you sold me the same one that cut you.

I like to shave with a razor that has a good sharp square point because it forces me to focus on what I am doing, it is the only time in my day where everything is clear and in focus. The rest of the day moves so fast that it is all a blurr.

I can't wait for it to get here so I can give it a go. I like to take a problem blade, give it some work and make it sing

Originally Posted by fatnash

Is the one you sold me the same one that cut you.

I like to shave with a razor that has a good sharp square point because it forces me to focus on what I am doing, it is the only time in my day where everything is clear and in focus. The rest of the day moves so fast that it is all a blurr.

I can't wait for it to get here so I can give it a go. I like to take a problem blade, give it some work and make it sing

I think it was the other blade I had on the bay. The W&B just needs some work. No chips, just a problem (for me) on the heel.

My razor preferences took a while to evolve, and it took a couple of chance purchases to really nail them down. One of those purchases netted me a blade that is my perfect archetype, and a blade that makes me wonder what the seller must have kept in his own collection because it's such a stellar shaver.

First blades were 5/8, with little attention to other details. Then I decided I liked jimping. Then I decided I kind of liked thumb notches. I've got one singing square tip that bites me every time, but shaves amazingly--it does in a single pass what all my other blades take two passes to accomplish. And yet, I will sell it, because I like a round tip so much better. I won't mute it because someone out there will love it ecstatically, just the way it is.

So, at this point, I'll only add to my collection if it's a jimped thumb notch 6/8 blade. I think I've got seven of those around, so will soon cull the herd and focus on my own definition of ergonomic perfection.

The one 5/8 unjimped, unnotched blade I'll keep is my Noonan and Sons Harvard, which has a concave grind. All the mass of a wedge, with the honing ease of a hollow. That thing is freaking amazing. Another purchase where I wonder what the h*** the seller keeps for himself.

Give me a 8/8 to 10/8 sheffield of any grind, especially 1/4 hollow or near-wedge sheffield, about 150 years old, any day. Its the nostalgia, the historical significance, the rarity that appeals to me. Any razor will give you a good shave if you know what you're doing.

And yes, barbers notches, deep makers marks, and some engraving or text on the blade is icing on the cake

I have only been SR shaving for 3 months or so and just establishing my preferences. Until yesterday I only had 2 serviceable razors, both 4/8 full hollows one round point the other spike point. Yesterday I got my first usable 6/8 round point full hollow and can say I like the extra weight and size. It seems less jittery in the hand than the 4/8s ones. The new 6/8 is also shoulder less with a thumb notch and jimps. Just love the clean lines of the new blade. I see the beginnings of a preference forming towards heavier 6/8 blades of this style. Can't wait to get an old Reynolds 6/8 1/4 hollow honed up for use because of this. Might have to start looking for an old Le Grelot 1/4 hollow too.

Bob

I don't mind spikes, but after learning to shave very cautiously with them, I've gone to just dulling the point, not so much that you can see it looking at the razor, but if you look like you were checking an edge, you can see it. I do it just with the finishing stone rounding the corner a little bit and blunting it, maybe a mm worth of the end, and no more "unespected fillets" on my face, only on my plate.

Someone on here said they saw a barber do that and say that point's good for nothing. Otherwise, I'd probably still have it sharp to the hilt and still shave slower. I hate shaving real slow.

Originally Posted by BobH

I have only been SR shaving for 3 months or so and just establishing my preferences. Until yesterday I only had 2 serviceable razors, both 4/8 full hollows one round point the other spike point. Yesterday I got my first usable 6/8 round point full hollow and can say I like the extra weight and size. It seems less jittery in the hand than the 4/8s ones. The new 6/8 is also shoulder less with a thumb notch and jimps. Just love the clean lines of the new blade. I see the beginnings of a preference forming towards heavier 6/8 blades of this style. Can't wait to get an old Reynolds 6/8 1/4 hollow honed up for use because of this. Might have to start looking for an old Le Grelot 1/4 hollow too.

Bob

Your shoulderless 6/8 with the notch and jimps sounds like my ideal blade. I'd forgotten to mention how much I like the shoulderless blades, too. They're a tiny bit easier to strop and hone, without the stabilizers.