Thread: Why do some straight edges create a crackling sound when shaving, & other blades noth

I have about 12 straights that I rotate through, and have become aware that some shave w/ a nice crackling sound, while others make almost no sound. My instinct is that I get a somewhat better shave with the "crackling" blades.

Opinions about why there are audible differences in straight razors when shaving?

that is due to the grounding of the blade.
the more hollow the grind, the mire sound they make.
as you, I like the crackling from a hollow blade

Thanks. So a wedge blade will be more quiet than a deep hollow ground? I'll test that over the next week!

Originally Posted by pcg

Thanks. So a wedge blade will be more quiet than a deep hollow ground? I'll test that over the next week!

Exactly. You'll probably hear no sound out of a more wedgy blade.

I have a singing Electric that sounds like Velcro when I shave. Great fun to use!

My Burrell Top Flight makes a great sound, you can hear every hair succumbing to the edge. I also find that a razor that given great audio feedback also gives great tactile feedback; you can feel the hairs being cut as well...

I got a nice full hollow 8/8 that also sings while stropping, I find that to be really cool.

Most of the time I use heavy blades...it makes the sound of my singing blades that much more impressive (because I am accustomed to silence of the wedges).

My Red Imp whistles Dixie.

Do you find that the same sound is produced whether you are shaving hair or skin? My Sim-mart double hollow makes a distinctive sound and when I first used it I went over the same spot several times listening and thinking, "this thing is as dull as a fence post". After the amateur face peal I discovered that using my fingers instead of my ears works much better.