Thread: Favorite razors-opinions and why

My favorites are Sta-Sharp, F.W. Engels and Thiers-Issard. They all shave better than the Dovo's, Geissen & Forsthoff's, Hen & Rooster and Hart steel razors I own.

I must be a wee bit fickle. Today I shaved with a Hart 7/8 and loved it. Two days ago it was an Estruda - great shave. Two days before that it was a Boker 101 - another great shave. The list goes on. But, I must say that I like the larger blades - less cleaning and wiping during during the shave.

Is there any preferences on grind of a razor? What's you guys favorite? From what I can gather most are partial to near wedge or half hollow because the edge is more stout as opposed to the more fragile full hollow or bellied hollow. Harder to sharpen or home but tougher to full throughout months of use. Anyway what's your thoughts?

?? Not so sure that most lean toward the 1/2 hollows and wedge. I prefer a soft shave with a razor that is not threatening to cut me. Used to think I preferred heavier edges, but I have shaved with some really fine shaving full hollows, usually 6/8 or wider, but have gotten really good shaves from 5/8 as well. Also not so sure that a full wedge has an edge any less fragile. Tap any on the faucet and they are not going to shave well until you fix them. I prefer small. 2" to 2-1/2" long. I have a mostly full beard to negotiate, and 3" razors are constantly in trouble. Also find I can comfortably shave faster with a shorter razor. I do feel that newbies are more likely to have troubles getting started with a full hollow blade if they tend to keep the angle just a little high. The edge will flex down, making cutting the whisker even more difficult. And I think the full hollow is a little easier for the newbie to damage the edge just attempting to shave. Once that is done, he is pretty much lost until he can figure out that the razor is now the problem, and also learn to deal with correcting the razor. Just my two cents, sure lots of you other guys have plenty of words of wisdom and likes and dislikes! Anybody else out there have a preference for small razors? Come on, I won't call you a sissy (some others might). : -)

I finished honing one of the guys I convirteds razors that had the Gerhard of the blade broke off and I had wondered about the shorter blades so I tried it out and I do like it for trimming around my goatee and in some of the wired curves and angles on my throat but I like my full lengths better. I think I would like a full length razor with only a 2" blade made like that instead of the one I honed that was rounded on the new heel and toe. Also I like a spiked toe and probably a good squared heel that I could barely mute to use for trimming or outlining that would be pretty awesome. Could be one of the reasons I like my fencing so much it has a spike toe that I muted. Never thought of it that way. Thanks for helping bring it to my attention.

Hi Swerve,
Have you ever looked closely at a MAB razor? 2" to 2-3/8" long. Blade tapers from 7/16 to 4/8 at the toe to 5/8 or so at the heel. More or less French point with very tight curve at point and a tight curve at the heel. Great for under nose and trim lines. Blade can be a little awkward to strop but not terrible. Can send you a pic or two or a link to several if you like.
Have a great day,
Al

I like my new Henckels and my new Boker I got but I love my fencing still

Stupid spell checker thing On my phone I really did mean to put in: I like my new Henckels and Boker but I love my Genco still. (yeah that's right, good phone)

Originally Posted by Havachat45

If you are asking 'What is my best shaver and why?' it would have to be a no-name 'Warranted' 6/8 full hollow - so far.
Having said that my new (to me) TI Spartacus is pretty good too

Hey - I just got the TI Spartacus w/ faux MOP scales, 6/8 warranted, full hollow as well. I also have the TI, 5/8 Flying Eagle with snakewood scales, both beautiful razors.

Haven't shaved with either yet, waiting till I pass shave 100 (at about 55 now) with one razor (DOVO 5/8) - curious, how do you find the Spartacus?