Thread: Why is this razor magic?

Why does this rather ordinary Wester Bros. "Extra Hollow Ground" shave so well?

It will take off whiskers which I can only cleanly shave with other razors(with difficulty) ATG.

It is a much sharper than other hollows and it hones more easily and holds an edge longer.

This Wester Bros. is a world apart from two different Filarmonicas tried. It is sharper than the Henckels I have worked on.

A small short Genco which is a swayback smiler has been the easiest razor for me to ATG but this Wester Bros. gets closer.

Torreys have been a favorite of mine but the best of them won't get this sharp and Torreys don't seem to hold their edge well.

Wester Bros. imported cutlery and razors from Germany and Wester Bros. knives take and hold a very fine edge.

Does anyone else get similar results?

You found your first "Whoa" razor

Certain razors you will come across will make you stop and say "Whoa, that was smooth" as to a Brand or Steel or Grind there is no real way of knowing..
Myself and others have chased them, but some individual razors are just a touch better..
One thing I can tell you is the more razors you hone and shave the more the definition of a "Whoa" razor changes


I have a Wester Bros De-Fi that I love

Maybe it’s the bamboo?

I have a Wester brothers anchor brand that I feel the same way about. It's just a great razor.

No, they are terrible. Don't buy any,especially the Manganese Steel. More of them for me!

jaswarb:
That is one handsome razor -- I love the scales! If it truly shaves that well, perhaps you should name it "The Lightsaber."
Maybe those old guys just really knew their craft.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

No, they are terrible. Don't buy any,especially the Manganese Steel. More of them for me!

Selfish much?

Sounds like my experience with an 8/8 Wade & Butcher I picked up that was dull, dull, dull. I didn't know what to expect. I still can't believe how quickly and easily the bevel was set on a 4k stone, then sharpened and polished with a progression up to a 12K Naniwa. You can see a pic of it in the show and tell forum, titled "My Gnarly 8/8 Wade & Butcher." It's still an incredible shaver that I use every third day. No need for a touch up yet. Yes, it's fun and makes for a good feeling. Great looking razor, BTW.

The razor I have that matches your tale is an unassuming Jung #80, 5/8 hollow ground. It was the first razor I was able to get 'shave ready'. Still out shaves my Ducks, my Blackie and my Henckles. don't know what it is about that blade.... so I bought 2 of em.

Originally Posted by jaswarb

Why does this rather ordinary Wester Bros. "Extra Hollow Ground" shave so well?

I have a few Wester Bros. razors and they are all good shavers and easier to hone than some. Most all my razors are good shavers but some weren't always that way. As my honing skills improved I found that putting the ones that were a lesser shave quality back on the hones improved the shaves a lot. Some didn't but putting them on different hones dialed them into my standards of a quality shave. It seems like some razors can be honed by a monkey (a metaphor) while others give the experts a challenge. A good way to improve our honing skills is to attend straight razor meets, watch others hone some razors, try different hones and possibly have someone else have at one or two of your lesser quality shavers. Don't give up on the razors that don't meet the grade unless you are settled in on your honing style and your hones.