Thread: Evatt Cast Steel 1700s?

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

It is, as Martin said, very satisfying to shave with a razor made 200+ years ago. Having shaved with a couple of them, the only thing I would stress from a practical viewpoint, is that you have to be conscious that you don't forget that there is no separation between cutting edge and tang.

I imagine that quite a few split thumb pads are responsible for the distinct transition between edge and tang that occurred in the early 1800s.

Is there record or evidence that this was the case, or has the grip evolved with the razor? When I use these I naturally put my thumb on the side of the tang rather than underneath. Neil / Martin? Do you know how these were typically held?

Originally Posted by ScienceGuy

Is there record or evidence that this was the case, or has the grip evolved with the razor? When I use these I naturally put my thumb on the side of the tang rather than underneath. Neil / Martin? Do you know how these were typically held?

Interesting point (no pun), I never thought about holding the blade without my thumb on the underside of the tang. In his book, Collecting Straight Razors, Robert A. Doyle places the transition of a distinct tang to the early 1800s. It is my supposition that cut fingers/thumbs were the motivation for that innovation.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Interesting point (no pun), I never thought about holding the blade without my thumb on the underside of the tang. In his book, Collecting Straight Razors, Robert A. Doyle places the transition of a distinct tang to the early 1800s. It is my supposition that cut fingers/thumbs were the motivation for that innovation.

That's been kind of common wisdom, but blades in that style had been like that since at least the 1600s. I would think that 100+ years of that experience would lead to a quick change in design. The most compelling evidence I've seen comes from a few pictures, like this:


credit: Shaving Collectibles

You can see how his fingers wrap around the side of the tang, which is what I tend to do naturally with these, as the surface area on the top and bottom is just not really enough to hold. His thumb looks like it goes to the other side.

Not as clear, but it looks like the same kind of hold here, inverted:


credit: Clothing and Fashion

And probably the least reliable, but you can see the same kind of finger-side grip here:


credit: Wikimedia Upload

So you're saying Sweeny Todd used that grip ......

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

So you're saying Sweeny Todd used that grip ......

That's actually Figaro, but he sure looks scary in that portrait.

Originally Posted by ScienceGuy

Is there record or evidence that this was the case, or has the grip evolved with the razor? When I use these I naturally put my thumb on the side of the tang rather than underneath. Neil / Martin? Do you know how these were typically held?

Actually yes! And even before that! In 1727 from this thread: http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...-hollowed.html.

Clearly describe that the thumb was underneth close to the cutting edge.

Originally Posted by Martin103

Actually yes! And even before that! In 1727 from this thread: http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...-hollowed.html.

Clearly describe that the thumb was underneth close to the cutting edge.

Exactly what I was looking for! I can't read French though and am further interested. What does he say exactly about holding it? And is it just for honing or for shaving as well?

Originally Posted by ScienceGuy

Exactly what I was looking for! I can't read French though and am further interested. What does he say exactly about holding it? And is it just for honing or for shaving as well?

For both! but he also mentions how you should hold the razor differently for against the grain pass, with the thump on the opposite side of the cutting edge.

Originally Posted by Martin103

For both! but he also mentions how you should hold the razor differently for against the grain pass, with the thump on the opposite side of the cutting edge.

Wow, that's awesome! Thanks for providing that.

Yeah, I would say a pinch grip and locking your wrist at an angle is the only way to make that work. The tang to edge transition managed to slightly nip me but not through the skin while i was working on it.