Thread: Razor feedback in the early '30's?

I've got three razors in particular that are all made around 1930, a Shumate Pacific, a Boker, and an FA Clauberg Halberd that all demonstrate something very strange.

It seems that these three razors have an extreme amount of feedback while shaving...and it makes me want to think that they're not honed right. On the WTG pass, I can kinda feel the blade flexing over some hairs, like it doesn't want to cut that one until the next pass, so the razor kinda flexes itself over the hair...it's a completely bizarre sensation on my face. All three have a bit of hone wear and are all closer to 9/16. I know that they're all shave ready.

By contrast, I have a 9/16 Wostenholm from about 30 years earlier in the same general condition and same grind and I experience none of the same feedback.

Has anyone else experienced this phenomenon of early depression-era razors giving you too much feedback during the shave?

I have a few that could be from that time line, they drive me nuts with the noise and all. Wicked thin almost from the spine. If I shaved everyday that may not be moch of a problem, but I'm every other day and it's enough stubble to bounce the edge around (it seems) but after feeling my face I feel no stubble...

Ya those are next on the sales floor....

The fact that y'all are experiencing this across different makes of razors makes me wonder what was different about how razors were being made then as opposed to before 1930 or after. Was it temporary changes in the process, or changes in the composition of the steel? Production records (if they still exist) might shed some light.

I have quite a few razors made during different periods and I've never been able to associate the type of feedback with a general timeframe they were manufactured. I've always found the feedback differences were due to the degree of hollowness the razor had. Also since razors are individuals in some respects they all feel a little different from each other and some do have more feedback than others or at least sound different during shaving but again I couldn't say those were all made in any one period.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I've always found the feedback differences were due to the degree of hollowness the razor had.

+1. I remember reading about blades flexing on the cheek when I first came around and I didn't believe it until I felt it. The ultra full hollow grounds are thinner than a piece of copy paper. Some of them are like stiff tin foil. A heavier grind won't flex but you'll still hear it. Recently I came to the conclusion that I prefer stiffer grinds. I used to like full hollows better.