So I just rescaled a razor with some nice ram's horn scales. Trouble is, they're rather heavier than I'm used to. Are there any tricks for how to handle/hold a razor with heavy scales?
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So I just rescaled a razor with some nice ram's horn scales. Trouble is, they're rather heavier than I'm used to. Are there any tricks for how to handle/hold a razor with heavy scales?
Use a thick heavy lather, that will balance them out while shaving.
Okay, now my face is too heavy.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hirlau
Are you an Aries Ben? I would like to see some pics of the razor, I am an Aries and want to put some Ram scales on my Razor.
Can you lighten those scales Ben?
If they are heavy chance are they are far too thick. I find stropping with heavy metal scales to be pretty annoying. The shaving part is not so bad. Thick scales are just unpleasant for me for both shaving and stropping. They make the razor not sit well in my hand. Some people really like them. Just not me.
Pop the pins, thin them down reshape Etc and put it in the lessons learnt basket
Fix the problem rather than learn to work around a defective tool
Aim for a balance point close to the pivot between the pivot and heal area when out flat like in a stropping position
JMHO
Wish I could help. I have no issue stropping. They just tend to feel like they want to rotate in hand while shaving. Makes it feel awkward. I usually avoid them if I can unless they come on a heavier wedge which balances them out
I've had a couple of razors where the balance is shifted to the scales - I found that to strop properly, they had to be pinned tightly - any sloppiness and they would move around when trying to strop.
As for using them - there was no real difference when shaving. As for Substances suggestion for thinning them down - a photos would help - sometimes the 'grooves' on ram's horn are so deep that further thinning may not be an option unless you thin the grooves themselves - but that seems to defeat the object.
Thanks, all, for the replies.
Here are some photos:
Attachment 235896
more in photo album: https://imgur.com/a/FPkY4
I bought these pre-made, and unpinned and repinned. There really isn't an option of thinning. They look very nice, though. I'll have to try again - maybe it's just a matter of gripping more firmly.
Not an Aries, just happened to like the look of these.Quote:
Originally Posted by FAL
This sounds as if we've moved on from Aries to Libra.Quote:
Can you lighten those scales Ben?
They look a little heavy, but what a beautiful set of scales. Thank you for sharing them.
Nice looking horn, they probably would have balanced just fine before the brass liners were added.
Yep have seen and contemplated these scales before when I started but decided against it.
They are unfortunately not made to suit YOUR razor so would be a crap shoot for a fit and balance, your only real option for a balance is the wedge material used, I would look at a piece of horn or bone or even a wedgeless spacer pin type option rather than metal wedge may help
Still in the lessons learnt bucket I say
They might suit a nice heavy wedge and feel spot on but a full hollow reduces the options a bit with the brass liner
JMHO & YMMV
That's the problem when using a metal liner - I did exactly the same with some white Mother of Pearl on nickel silver liners and they are out of balance with the blade. When I did it again, I used very thin G10 and they are much better.
Not the black mop on the whacker I hope mate
Love those scales
Have them as an ideal with nickel silver liners for a JAs Westa wedge needing something special
The black MOP went onto black G10 - they are a much better balance than the nickel silver I used. In the link, the Gilbert Bros razor is the one that's out of balance - even though it's a heavier blade than the Wacker.Quote:
Originally Posted by Substance
http://straightrazorpalace.com/custo...her-pearl.html
That's what you call an unbalanced razor and unbalanced the wrong way. I have a Williams razor with very heavy stag scales and I have the same issue. It was one of the first razors he made. It's beautiful but I rarely use it because it's just a pain stropping and shaving.
He offered to shave them down but I just never did it so I guess I can't complain.
Despite its etching, it's probably only 1/4 hollow and a much heavier blade than many of my wedges.Quote:
Originally Posted by Substance
I have a Mastro Livi 7/8 with stag scales. When I got it my first reactions was my God this is big and heavy. After shaving with it a couple of times I realized it shaved great. Better then all my other razors. Why? BALANCE! Feels great in my hand and all I have to do is lay it on my face no pressure. Like shaving with a Mongoose. Attachment 236185
Benhunt, that is a lovely set of scales. I can't see the thickness but that is probably the problem. Looks beautiful though!
Mike
I too have an unbalanced razor however its far to beautiful to not give her a dance now and again. Its makeup is brass liners with mother of pearl and abalone shell.
Attachment 236258
Any tips on difference in technique for a heavier-scaled blade?Quote:
Originally Posted by jkatzman
If the balance is on the scale side you need to be careful because you will have to apply pressure to compensate otherwise the razor will want to torque away from you as you shave. You have to get the pressure right. Too much and it affect the shave and too little and you could wind up dropping the razor.
When you strop and hone you will really realize it. It is very easy to cut the strop or have the razor fall out of your hand depending on how unbalanced it is. With a hone keeping the razor in proper contact with the hone can be challenging.
You just need to experiment.
I find with my Livi that I am very mindful of keeping the razor as flat to my face as possible. Pressure and angle on a heavy razor are extremely important. My son in law took it out for a spin and didn't get past placing the blade on his face when he realized he had a really nice cut. As for stropping, make sure the blade is flat on the strop, I use a paddle with the weight of the blade only. I try to keep my fingers as close to the neck of the blade because it seems to be the fulcrum point on the razor. I had someone tell me to balance the razor open on my finger to see the center point. I told him he obviously never used a straight razor. Last observation, I find the 2 fingers on the Monkey tail really help in controlling the blade.
I may have found an answer Ben, Carbon Fiber, recently I was fitted for a leg brace after major back surgery, it fits in my shoe/boot and lifts my toes up to prevent tripping, well, the material is only 1/8" thick and weighs nothing, so carbon fiber is my choice, I'm 6'4" and 270, the brace is amazingly strong and paper thin under foot. A buddy with a carbon fiber printer is going to print up two pairs of backings, that is what I'll use.
