Thread: How do you find blade length affects a blades handling?

I have seen discussions on the width of the blade and it's affect on shaving, I'm curious about length. I think most blades go about 2.65 to 2.75" or so don't they? I have a couple of w&b that are a full 3" long.

but I have one w&b, wide blade, goes close to 15/16 I think, that was trimmed down at some point and is about 2.25/2.3". I have only got a handful of shaves with it, but other than being out for blood (that thing is absolute dangerous sharp), the length really seems to be great. I'm liking it a lot. I'm really itching now to try a slightly shorter than normal blade in a heavier grind (this one is hollow). it is more maneuverable, and the shorter length allows some angles that I can't get with a longer blade because of where the heel is when the toe is in such and such a position.

I'm just wondering what those of you have found, in shaving with blades under 2.65" for instance, whether it was good, bad or no difference.

Thanks all.

Red

I think most blades are pretty much the same, pretty standard. yes there are some really older ones that are longer and some customs and there were some specialized ones like the DD Dwarf.

I find the slight difference to not make any difference to me. The weight and thickness and grind and width of the blade have much more of an effect.

The only real departure there are traditional Japanese straights which are pretty short but of course that's a whole other universe in shaving.

good question
most blades are 3 inch long. there is some bigger and some small ones. i have shaved with both and small ones aren't any different. a little easier to handle. A big ones is unusual for me. if i wouldn't be extra careful i am sure i will have couple more bleeding spots. quality wise i think doesn't matter .

The only thing that really turns me off to short blades is the fact that it may take two passes to get everything that one pass with a longer blade might get. I think there is also less of an option of what part of the blades edge to use where- toe, heel, etc.- because when you put the blade to your face (depending on size obviously) you will just be using the whole edge every time. They feel very maneuverable and all, but I sometimes find it more of a nuisance. Of course, as with most everything, it's all personal.

I have always thought the standard was 3 inches also. Just seems to be more of them at that length around. The DD's are about 3 1/2 I think and I remember some doosey cuts when I would shave across the grain with the longer spikes the first few times I used them.

Some guy is making little 2 inch blades these days in razors that look like pocket knives and I have honed a few of them finding them really difficult to shave with. Simply the size and the point on them with the thick scales make them difficult to hone, strop and shave with. Don't know if any of you have tried blades like this.

Have fun,

Lynn

When I bought my little Weltmeister I thought I'd be using it all the time to touch up tricky areas, but it just doesn't feel right. Probably more to do with the width than the length, but still...

I don't have any short bladed straights. I was leaning towards buying one of those vintage what do you call'ems with the long monkey tail until I found out the blades are so short and I changed my mind. I have one custom that Josh Earl built with a 3 1/4 or better blade with a long tang to boot and I have to be careful to remember it is longer or I will nick the front of my ear as I'm doing my first pass.

now we are talking the same thing on length right? the cutting edge itself being 3", I didn't realie that was normal. since almost all mine have been about 2.75, I only have the two 3".

I don't know, I'm going to do some more shaving with this one, especially now that I shaved my stache and goatee off saturday, without that to worry about it might be different. but if I like it I'm going to see about another one this length with a different grind.

Red

I've shaved with the 2" pocket Engels. Very fun to shave with, but very inefficient as has already been stated. With the shorter scales, it actually balanced pretty well. Length did not seem to affect the actual shave too much. However, the extra inch really makes a huge difference in efficiency and what we "expect" from a razor. 2" is just too short for me.

Originally Posted by Big Red

now we are talking the same thing on length right? the cutting edge itself being 3", I didn't realize that was normal. since almost all mine have been about 2.75, I only have the two 3". ....Red

The modern standard seems to be 3" from tip to start of shank. But the amount of edge is usually somewhat less. My Dovo Renaissance has only 2.5" of sharp edge, due to the round point and the sloping shoulder. Others with a spike point and square shoulder come pretty close to 3". My ERN round point with square shoulder is about 2.75" of sharp edge.