Thread: Heljestrands out of control

Hi, just curious as to why straight shavers think that the Heljestrand 32's are better than the 31 or 30 and what are the properties that make them so? I have 2 Swedish razors, a Heljestrand Soderfors Extra Specialstal 9/16" and an SSA 9/16", and whilst they shave good, I can't say that either of them is better than any of the other 12 razors I have, so just curious if I should try and get a 32 to see what sets it apart from the rest of the straight razors. I tried a M.J. Higgins near wedge recently and I find that for me those wedge type razors are much nicer to shave with than the Hollow grinds. I find that the hollow and extra hollow type feel a bit delicate and are more scratchy/twitchy and louder but those wedge type just slice straight through with a minimum of fuss and care.

I am trying to get a decent large W&D near wedge type (at an affordable price to me) to see if the bigger near wedge type blades also make a difference but they are also going for very high prices on E-Bay.

Getting back to the original post, why are those 32's better?

Cheers

Ed

They are not better,they are bigger thus sought after.

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

They are not better,they are bigger thus sought after.

I thought the bigger the better was the American way!

Originally Posted by Lemur

I thought the bigger the better was the American way!

That only applies to erotic anatomy, firearms, vehicles, real estate, gemstones, hats, trophies, food and drink, knives, dogs, and bank accounts, I think.

These tend to be quite sort after as well:



Oh, for info they are the slightly rarer MK33 and shave like a dream.

Originally Posted by BakerandBadger

These tend to be quite sort after as well:



Oh, for info they are the slightly rarer MK33 and shave like a dream.

Hey you found my 6 MK33s from my 7 day set, PM inbound with address information.

Originally Posted by mainaman

Hey you found my 6 MK33s from my 7 day set, PM inbound with address information.

You've seen them before somewhere I'd wager! If only I could find Saturday (or Samedi as they are Kindals from Paris).

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

They are not better,they are bigger thus sought after.

But even including the spine, MK32's are no bigger than 6/8, excluding the spine 11/16. My MK33 is almost 7/8 including the spine, a bit over 6/8 excluding the spine.

And personally I haven't noticed any difference in shaving between regular numbers/MK's/unnumbered Heljestrands. I can't tell the difference between different Swedish manufacturers in general. They are pretty much all high quality steel, most of them high quality manufacture all-round.

All the MKs are great blades for sure and will always command top dollor in the marketplace,esp. the Ivory scaled Heljes.
No company has ever cut finer looking Ivory than them IMO.Cutting Ivory is an art,Helje had it down to a science.

Originally Posted by Pithor

And personally I haven't noticed any difference in shaving between regular numbers/MK's/unnumbered Heljestrands. I can't tell the difference between different Swedish manufacturers in general. They are pretty much all high quality steel, most of them high quality manufacture all-round.

+1, I have had the same experience. The other Heljes, non MKs, are all great too, as are Engstroms, and other Eskiltuna razors. That Swedish steel, and the know how to do it right.