Thread: Razors you don't like?

This thread really got me thinking, and as it turns out there is actually quite a lot a don’t like with specific regard to custom razors. I really don’t mean to offend anyone who has a different taste in design, or who owns a custom that has one or more of these attributes… so for things I don’t like, here goes in no particular order:


• Random holes in blades
• Grooved/forked point, where the start of the spine is filed like a snake tongue.
• File-worked spines – unless it’s truly exceptional, otherwise it’s decoration for its own sake.
• Over-buffed blades; where grind marks are still present but have just been buffed over. This is just never acceptable.
• Softened edges from over-buffing. Edges should be crisp and clean – not rounded and softened by heavy-handed buffing.
• Wide and uneven/wavy bevels.
• Wild profiles that look like mock-weaponry.
• Elf-shoe curls at the end of the tang.
• Wrought-iron styled ‘medieval’ looking blades.
• Brightly coloured scales.
• Translucent scales. Just looks real gimmicky.
• Sparkly scales.
• Thick scales.
• Large ‘jimps’ that really aren’t jimps at all..
• Jewels set in the razor anywhere.
• Wedges that aren't tapered.
• Fluted wedges - decoration with no purpose.
• Wedges that are cut-out or don’t match the profile of the scales.
• Scales with no wedge, but instead just an ornate thick pin. This just doesn't look good.
• More than one pin at the wedge.
• Scales that look like they have bullet holes in them – what’s that about??
• Scales that have large serrated edges – just because you can create an effect doesn't mean you should.
• Large adjustable pins.
• Pins that are excessively ‘stacked’.
• Glossy scales – I much prefer satin or matte finished scales.
• HartSteel razors look a bit off to me. I think the scales are too bulky for the blades, and the shanks are to thick in proportion to the blade width. They just don’t look elegant. You can be utilitarian and still be elegant in my opinion.
• Poorly designed or unrefined makers marks – I’m sorry, but I’m just laying it all out here and this would actually be a deal breaker for me when considering buying a custom…
• Makers marks that have been electro-etched, and have ragged edges or a ‘burnt-halo’ in the steel around the mark, this is just not finished properly.
• Novelty designs like Steampunk razors etc.


What I DO like and what I think custom razors should look like:

• Classic, timeless profile designs that can be innovative if done well and with usability in mind. Honing and stropping action should be tested with a template first.
• Clean, crisp grinding with precise blade symmetry.
• Satin finished blades, or properly mirror finished blades with no grind marks visible.
• 6/8, 7/8, 8/8 are all desirable sizes to me.
• Satin or matte finished scales.
• Scales that are thin, proportionately to the size of the razor or course.
• Nicely designed barbers notch.
• Nicely designed and comfortable thumb notch.
• Fine, hairline bevel that is uniform.
• Finely cut jimping that’s nice and grippy.
• Scales with liners.
• Following the idea of ‘Truth to materials’
• Following the idea of ‘Form follows function’, 'less is more' etc.
• Muted, elegant scale colours.
• Natural or uncomplicated scale material.
• Love the combination of steel and wood(dark wood, properly stabilized, satin finished).
• Razor ‘sets’ either 7 day, or pairs.
• Custom razors should look and work like precision instruments, should live in the realm of classic sports cars, luxury timepieces etc.

Bit of a venting session there I know, so again really don’t mean to offend anyone who disagrees with my personal taste.

Cheers,
- Mike.

Originally Posted by MichaelC

• Jewels set in the razor anywhere.

I've never seen one of those. Got a pic?

Originally Posted by MichaelC

• Poorly designed or unrefined makers marks – I’m sorry, but I’m just laying it all out here and this would actually be a deal breaker for me when considering buying a custom…

Yeah, agree with that one; good point.

Thanks for the post. You pretty much listed everything!

Originally Posted by Frankenstein

I've never seen one of those. Got a pic?



Yeah, agree with that one; good point.

Thanks for the post. You pretty much listed everything!

I don't really want to point out any particular maker, that's not the point here as we're just discussing things in general about razors we don't like... Others will know what I'm talking about regarding the jewels, and so lets just leave it as: 'Some have and will set jewels in their razors, and I for one just don't think it looks very attractive.'

- Mike

Originally Posted by Obie

I think you miss the point, my friend. My last paragraph reads: Finally, some things straight razor and traditional shaving world related: HHT and BBS. And posts written in Twitter lingo and stuffed with acronyms. I miss the English language.
Since the main focus of this thread is "disliking," my comments clearly refer to my dislike for the terms HHT (Hanging Hair Test) and BBS (Baby Bottom Smooth), two of the most overused acronyms in the traditional shaving lingo.

I am with you Obie, I am not sure BBS can ever be achieved with a SR on the whole face, there are simply areas where the beard grows in a direction that is impossible to go against, may be if a human had an extra joint in the arm it would work. So for me a true BBS is impossible to really achieve with a straight only.

Originally Posted by mainaman

I am with you Obie, I am not sure BBS can ever be achieved with a SR on the whole face, there are simply areas where the beard grows in a direction that is impossible to go against, may be if a human had an extra joint in the arm it would work. So for me a true BBS is impossible to really achieve with a straight only.

Well said. I also dislike acronyms, what's wrong with using actual words, unless exclusivity and cliqueiness is what is being aimed for. Ymmv :-) the ymnv is irony, before anyone gets all upset about me contradicting myself.

I hesitate to post this (because of all the opposite sentiments posted earlier) but I don't really care for mutes anywhere on a razor. I like a crisp (square) toe and heel.

I don't need or want it to look or act like a lethal weapon, but I like to sculpt with both ends.

Originally Posted by unit

I hesitate to post this (because of all the opposite sentiments posted earlier) but I don't really care for mutes anywhere on a razor. I like a crisp (square) toe and heel.

I don't need or want it to look or act like a lethal weapon, but I like to sculpt with both ends.

you are entitled to your opinion without fear of reprisals (hopefully).

Originally Posted by mainaman

I am with you Obie, I am not sure BBS can ever be achieved with a SR on the whole face, there are simply areas where the beard grows in a direction that is impossible to go against, may be if a human had an extra joint in the arm it would work. So for me a true BBS is impossible to really achieve with a straight only.

Interesting point, mainaman. I agree with you to an extent. The problem area for me is whiskers growing sideways on the neck. I have found a couple of Sheffield Smileys where the widest point of the smile is far away enough to permit a full sideways pass. A non smiling blade wouldn't be able to achieve that for me.
Have you tried such?

Originally Posted by Frankenstein

Interesting point, mainaman. I agree with you to an extent. The problem area for me is whiskers growing sideways on the neck. I have found a couple of Sheffield Smileys where the widest point of the smile is far away enough to permit a full sideways pass. A non smiling blade wouldn't be able to achieve that for me.
Have you tried such?

For me a true BBS comes with ATG pass, does it work for you on your problem area? My problem area is too under the jaw between the apple and the year. I so far have not been able to achieve BBS with any blade simply because there is no way that I can figure out going ATG without risk of cuts.I get very close but not as close as true BBS should be.

Originally Posted by mainaman

For me a true BBS comes with ATG pass, does it work for you on your problem area? My problem area is too under the jaw between the apple and the year. I so far have not been able to achieve BBS with any blade simply because there is no way that I can figure out going ATG without risk of cuts.I get very close but not as close as true BBS should be.

Yeah, that sounds like what I'm talking about.

I'm not recommending this old fella for a daily shaver, but look at the possibilities with the blade.