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05-08-2013, 02:46 PM #1
It is difficult to find out what one will like best without trying several different razor types. I have close to 2 dozen straights and it is now starting to become confusing in use. It may be more productive to get two or three good razors of similar type and focus on developing shaving, stropping, and eventually honing skills.
Assuming good razor steel quality, heat treat, and geometry (no shape defects or damage issues), the keenness of the edge is the major razor factor.affecting shaving quality and comfort. Being able to acquire and keep a keen comfortable edge is key. I can get a good shave from many different style razors.
I now prefer to buy vintage razors in the best condition I can afford and avoid blades requiring significant restoration before they are usable. I take some comfort in using a blade that is in excellent condition, but may show signs of previous use. I do not then have to worry about remorse from minor wear marks appearing on a vintage razor in factory new condition.
Some of my current style preferences are:
-My stainless Friodur razors shave well and take away a lot of the worry about getting my blade wet, water spotted, or rusted, I have and also use and like carbon steel razors. I have not had many maintenance issues on carbon blades, but there is a reason why vintage stainless blades are usually found in good condition while carbon blades often require some cleanup or restoration.
-I prefer mid-level grinds, neither full hollows nor near wedges. For me, the mid grinds provide better feed back (sound and feel) in use than the near wedges, but are less angle sensitive and likely to flex and catch in use.
-I prefer factory slightly rounded square points and Spanish points. They allow me to get into tighter locations than a round point, but are not as likely to bite as a spike point. I also have, use, and enjoy round points.
-I like my 6/8 and 7/8 blade widths slightly better than my 5/8 widths because they are slightly easier to strop and hone and it is easier to see and hold the angle while shaving. However, I find the 5/8 blades light and nimble in use. There is a reason for the 5/8 width being the most commonly found vintage razor.
Razor preferences may change over time with experience as shaving, stropping, and honing skills develop.Last edited by sheajohnw; 05-08-2013 at 02:54 PM.
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05-08-2013, 03:51 PM #2
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05-08-2013, 04:28 PM #3
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Thanked: 13234The Middle Ground
To the OP:
You started right in the middle ground, which is actually the recommendation we usually give... If you had trouble getting into certain spots on your face then you would know to move down a size on the next razor.. If the razor felt light or jumpy you would know to move up in size or grind next...
This is why we recommend a 6/8 size in a 1/2 hollow configuration it lets you decide what direction to move on the second razor if at all
You might find like many of us the the 6/8 could be your ideal size, you never know until you try and see...
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05-08-2013, 04:31 PM #4
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Thanked: 12That thing is HUGE!
Awesome replies! Thanks for all the info. I feared that the responses would be "you gotta try them all" but thats ok its all part of the journey. I think I like the idea of a bigger razor for my next one and have my eye on a 7/8 Henckels from the shaving shop, here's the link. What do you guys think of those razors? They also have a really nice looking 8/8 French point Carl Rader that looks like it would be a great shaver too but, alas, it is a little out of my price range right now
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05-08-2013, 04:46 PM #5
I haven't shaved with anything smaller than 8/8 in a year. I prefer them much larger, all the way up to a 12/8 that is my favorite. I have a 23/8, but I haven't worked up the guts to shave with it yet.
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05-08-2013, 04:56 PM #6
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05-08-2013, 05:08 PM #7
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05-08-2013, 05:14 PM #8
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05-09-2013, 01:36 PM #9
I have two of these Friodurs made from a recently discovered batch of NOS Henckels blades. Mine were acquired through classified section purchases. One is a 7/8 Spanish point with worked spine rescaled in G-10 and the other is a 7/8 square point with plain spine in Robert Williams wooden scales. Both are frequently used great shavers and are easy to keep shave ready.
HTH