the cream of the straight razor crop

I'm new to this , but I've heard of the good razors --the Pumas, Dovos, TI's, et all. I know that the type of steel plays an important part ,as well as certain grind features, in producing an excellent shaver and razor to behold. But still, all straight razors are simple in form -a sharpened blade attached to a pivoting handle --fairly simple --yet some razors excel and some do not. My question is : Understanding the personal and subjective nature of this, what makes an excellent razor excellent? -- is there a certain feel, balance, weight, scale material,size that most people agree on? --there must be some commonality between the superior brands for people to exult over them. Anywho just a question, however trite it might be. Thanks.

First and foremost is how sharp you can get it, and how long it stays that way.
After that you get into grind and size, ergonomics and aesthetics and coolness and rarity and history.

Some of my favorite razors aren't my sharpest, but they handle very well so I enjoy shaving with them, and conversely one of my least favorite razors is also my sharpest, but I just really dislike shaving with it.

The "cult" type razors - Dubl Duck, Henckels, Puma and some others are all renowned for their sharpness and consistency - you rarely get a dud razor from any of these. Other manufacturers turn out gems too but they either aren't as consistent about it, or they just haven't quite caught SRP's collective fancy for some reason.

I bought one of Tony Miller's kit about three weeks ago and everything in the kit is excellent. The razor that comes with the kit is the Dovo Special 5/8" --for all I know it's a great razor because I'm getting the best shaves of my life with it (after being honed by Tony Miller). But the handle (scale) is plastic and does flex and contort a little --and when wet, a little hard to grip. So, I know I have a well honed blade ---but other properties of a razor might be as important --hence the new thread. Again thanks.

I think the quality of the steel is the first consideration in determining excellence. The rest is preference.

X

In the end its the performance and edge holding ability thats the most important. The grind, size and material are immaterial.

To me when someone can shave you with a razor and you don't even know a razor has been on your face and its BBS thats the ultimate. As long as it holds that shave quality for a good number of shaves you know you have an exceptional shaver. Things like balance, decoration, scale material are just icing on the cake. You could have a hand crafted damascus with 2 oz of gold decoration and platinum scales and if it doesn't shave well what good is it or if you have to hone it after every shave what good is it also.

Very often it is the quality steel and workmanship that yields superior results but there is much variation between the exact same razors from the same manufacturers.