Beauty.

After shaving this morning, I realized that I never give two sh*ts about what the razor looks like when I'm using it.
When I'm shaving I don't take any notice of how pretty those horn scales are and I don't appreciate a shiny mirror or satin finish the same way but I do notice other things like that nice extra weight of the wedgier razors, how perfectly some razors rest in my hand, how certain points are better at shaving under my nose or how some blades just seem to shave better than most other.

The Helje MK42 is by far my favorite and it's a pretty razor but that's not why I like it so much, it takes a ridiculously sharp edge very easily, the way it lays in your hand when you strop it is perfect, the balance is spot on, the squareish point is great for precision but not too aggressive and most importantly I always get bbs without much effort when I use it.

Just my thoughts, what are your favorite razors if you dismiss the aesthetics and judge only by character.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/images/attach/jpg.gif

Any quality blade will give a great shave so I can dismiss concerns on that level. If I was looking for beauty as the main factor I'd get one of those Eboy cheapo razors that look great but don't shave well at all as a display piece. Of course it's nice to have a few "Sunday" shavers that look the part however for every day business I'll take a 6/8s or 5/8s hollow ground absent ornamentation or fancy scales any day.

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Originally Posted by Baxxer

what are your favorite razors if you dismiss the aesthetics and judge only by character.

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My Hart Steel.

Any of the razors I restored and honed back to usable. The satisfaction I glean from using something that was once a rusty dull frowning/chipped/whatever is fantastic.

Of those...the spike/square points are probably my favorite because not only did they turn out looking nicely, and they are great from detail work, but I recall when using them meant that not only would my inferior honing skills result in painful irritation, but my inexperience with a straight razor practically guaranteed that the toe would sink into my flesh at some point. These are now my favorite, because I have improved both my honing and shaving techniques;)

This 8/8 Wade & Butcher is my ugliest, yet favorite. It has and holds the best edge of all seven razors in my possession and care. Silky smooth goodness.

Nine times out of ten, I'll grab a plain jane Boker or JA Henckels. Every once in awhile I try something different, but not often. Best, John

WELLLL.iF one was a blind straight user, only the edge would be of import,Patina to a point can be beautifull,Pits are fuggly.
As are funky scales,Tho they can all shave the same I like my razors to be drop dead gorgeous.
I once had the oppurtunity to shoot a round of trap with a Parker Invincible (belonged to a cardiac surgeon friend of mine)
The finest american made shotgun ever created,powdered 25/25,was it the Gun? Hell no,was it me? to a point.
I just felt I had to do my best ever with such a tool,feel the same about my Razors:)

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Originally Posted by IamSt8ght

This 8/8 Wade & Butcher is my ugliest, yet favorite. It has and holds the best edge of all seven razors in my possession and care. Silky smooth goodness.

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Nothin ugly about that razor! In fact, Nothin ugly about the OP'S either! I prefer quality pretties. But first and foremost, beauty starts with clean, tight, and sharp, IMO.