Hey everyone I just made an impulse buy on this travel razor. I don't know much about it except my eye really liked it. Let me know what you think.
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Hey everyone I just made an impulse buy on this travel razor. I don't know much about it except my eye really liked it. Let me know what you think.
Did you get that from Bishop Pickle???? Douglas Cutlery has done 2 of my razors, one a Reynolds restore, the other a custom. I love them both to death, and your's looks a lot like my Reynolds. Doug does a great job and cares about his work.
Excellent buy!! I like it!!!
Mike
I did get it from Bishop on their eBay listing. I'm glad you like yours. It makes it even more exciting for me.
Hey Hd172,
I just bought a razor from Douglas Cutlery as well, and I'm really excited! Have you shaved with this one yet? If so, how was it???
-Robert
Did you have one made, or buy off of ebay?? I have both from Douglas Cutlery now. Both are wedge or near wedge razors, and shave incredible, as any well honed wedge is expected to!!
I love both of mine, I have a really old Reynolds that Douglas restored in walnut micarta, and a hand made custom made just for me that is a spanish point near wedge. Incredible razors, and incredible shavers.
Highly recommended!!!
M
I just bought this one off of ebay this afternoon. I actually hadn't thought of buying it when I first saw it because it seemed too cheap to truly be a hand crafted razor. Plus I'm generally wary of new razors on ebay in the first place. But when I had a Filarmonica DT13 snatched out from under me at the last second (still a little mad), I decided to take another look at this and do some research about the respectability of Douglas Cutlery. I'm so glad I did, because if these shave as good as they look, and as well as everyone says they do, then I just scored a fantastic, one of a kind razor for an unbelievable price!
Attachment 85900
Thanks so much for your recommendation earlier in this thread because that's partly why I bought the razor. Also, it's nice to see some other folks on this site from Colorado!
Thanks again, and Happy Holidays!
-Robert
Thanks you guys! I was also skeptical when I saw a sweet looking 8/8 axe head with black micarta scales. Your feedback made it easy for me to pull the trigger!Attachment 115108
Where do you get these? How do I find them on ebay?
I would be asking myself why the bevel is so freaking huge on a new "custom" razor...
They all look a little 'loose' to me...
Just finished talking to him about a custom Colonial that he is whipping up for me. Very Excited. Cant wait!
I'm back with my review! An Almost 9/8 Colonial Model !
What a pleasure it's been working with Douglas Cutlery. I literally messaged him about the process of ordering a similar Colonial model that I had seen him post from his FB page. I wanted to change a few things, like add a more traditional tail and add jimps and what not. He was great about giving me tips on what I might like and what works best with this type Giant Beast.
After we finished the order online he started right away and had it out to me in a few days. I was blown away at the craftsmanship of the blade and scales when I received it. His boxes are also a nice touch to store in or display.
So the next morning I started with a hot shower, lathered up nicely and went to town. It was laying nice on my neck but something just didnt seem right. I continued my shave and did 3 passes. It was a good shave but wasnt wow-ing me. Something didnt feel right so I emailed him right away and within minutes he replied and said that it doesnt sound right either and to get it in the mail asap and that he will cover shipping both ways. I could tell he really took it personally. He determined that something must have happened to the edge in shipping. He finished it that day passing HHT and had it shipped out right way. The whole process was less than a week.
Same morning procedure, hot shower, hot lather, and this time..... an AMAZING shave!
For such a large razor it feels so consistent and balanced with it's scales. I was really worried about the weight of an almost 9/8 razor but after a few shaves I dont even think about it anymore. I feel that Doug really pays attention to details like that.
I really had a down right FUN shave with this razor. I had mentioned to him in passing before I received it that I really would like it to be my daily and he delivered. It's going to be very hard for me to switch to any of my other razors right now.
I know their hasn't been a lot of review of DC razors as they haven't been around for a while yet, but you really need to check them out. Do a custom order. Get what YOU want. I was very particular about the shape and options I wanted and he delivered perfectly.
I WILL be ordering another DC razor after my high comes down from this one, ha ha.
If you have any questions please feel free to ask about my experience.
Something about those blades,that tells me to stay away,thats just me tho
I have one of his blades as well. It was called a Sea Flame. Kinda looks like a dragon and a fish. Pretty cool! It does have a very large bevel similar to a knife. Not sure why. When I touched it up on my 12k Naniwa it hit the bevel perfect so maybe it's supposed to be that way. I haven't shaved with it yet, but it is a nice addition to my collection. I think if you can afford it, it's good to support the newcomers if the blade tickles your fancy!
It's prabably supposed to be that way. I think some people don't get his idea (Shape) but it makes for an ergonomic shave. I can take off some thick neck build first and then get right into detailing around my side burn and goatee shapes with my DC.
I hope I can finally lay an issue to rest. The bevel is a product of the edge angle and the thickness of the steel where the line between the spine and the edge intersect. It will naturally be wider on a near wedge, in fact a true wedge is all bevel. Depending on the blade design some of these razors have heavier blades, as much as .007 not the .002 to .004 of vintage high carbon steel blade. This allows for a much stiffer edge allowing for what has been described as “a blade that plows through the beard”. It also allows for 8/8 or 9/8 shoulder-less designs without an increased risk of blade cracks. When a carbon steel blade is described as “singing” what is happening is the edge is flexing toward the face as it comes in contact with a hair and then snapping back in shape as it cuts through. The thinner blade is an advantage to high carbon steel, it allows the shock to be absorbed by the blade reducing micro fractures. There’s no need for this with carbon-chromium alloys, these are spring steels that are designed to flex. Neither is honing an issue, honing a wide bevel is exactly the same as a narrow one. In the end it comes down to a type of steel that will support a thicker blade profile allowing for a smoother cut through thicker beard, oh, and esthetics. On blades of the same thickness (.007 as an example) the wider bevel will be on the near wedge and the bevels get progressively narrower as you move toward full hollow. By the same token, the bevel will be narrower on a blade which is .006 narrower still on .005 etc. That’s it, there is no boogie man hiding in a wide bevel.
Lay it baby!
Can you show us an end shot of the grind?
here's four 1st half hollow
Attachment 133273
2nd near wedge
Attachment 133274
3rd quarter hollow (forgive the smutz)
Attachment 133275
4th half hollow ( those are reflections of the camera )
Attachment 133276
I think you missed this line. "Depending on the blade design some of these razors have heavier blades, as much as .007 not the .002 to .004 of vintage high carbon steel blade." or maybe it was this one, "In the end it comes down to a type of steel that will support a thicker blade profile allowing for a smoother cut through thicker beard, oh, and esthetics." I did not say these blades profile designs was based on vintage blades, quite the opposite. As I pointed out the steel is different and allows for design features that would have been a problem for the vintage blades. That problem would not have been honing it would have been edge chipping (dulling), this is why the worn out quarter hollows you mentioned dull so quickly and why you want to chunk them into the display case instead of using them. As far as the resistance to forward motion (the stiction) during the hone, I haven't really noticed a .030" (less than a 1/32") bevel sticking to the hone with undo force. Neither those who own them nor I seem to have had much difficulty maintaining them, and that in the end is the point. If you don't like the design that's fine my effort here was not to change your mind on that point but rather to point out the wide bevel was by design and not an error as some have maintained. Because I have no desire to simply argue I'll leave it at that.
I am completely ignorant when it comes to honing, especially given that I have never honed a razor. At least we all know how far down I am on the totem pole.
That aside, I would have to question the point of a wide bevel in some regard. I understand where you are coming from with "design features" and how having a hefty bevel would allow for a better degree of durability. However, I imagine whether or not you have a wide bevel or one pretty hollowed out, whacking the edge against anything will do damage. Sure, the thicker steel would have a better chance of having less damage, but the edge would still need attention.
Also, the bevel has to be thinned out to make a cutting edge. Having a wider bevel means initially having to put in more work to get the edge set right the first time. For someone like me who has no experience whatsoever, I would be at a complete loss as far as how to set it up right the first time. I suppose the argument could be made at that point that "Having a wider bevel is meant for experienced honemeisters", but if that were true I would expect to see wide bevels from the top makers of razors.
Again, I am an unlearned man. Call me a self-proclaimed knuckle dragger. I can't help but think about starting off with a wide bevel being on the same vein as trying to use the spine of a chef's knife to cut a tomato. With enough work and honing of the spine it could work, but why not just alter the initial step and use a surface that is more keen to taking an edge initially?
The razors come already beveled and shave ready I would not expect anyone to have to set a bevel on a new blade. As far as the eventual dulling issue that is another advantage to carbon-chromium steels they resists dulling because the thinnest part of the edge can flex without chipping or bending longer than high carbon steel can. Again, it’s spring steel. This is why the thicker blade profile is used, it’s a stiffer spring. Think “band saw” if you make a band saw blade from high carbon steel it will break very quickly, it can’t flex. However if you use carbon-chromium (what they are made of by the way) it will work for a long time because it can flex. It’s not as hard as tool steel but it is more forgiving of damage. The thinner blades made of this steel work just as well as high carbon, and they sing just like high carbon, but the thicker blade profile works smoother, with less flex. The high carbon blades were made thinner and thinner to spread the shock of the edge flexing and reduce edge damage. They became so thin they added the shoulder to prevent horizontal cracking. It was a compromise. With carbon-chromium there is no need for compromise, just make a thicker blade, no vertical crack, no horizontal cracks just a stiff long lasting edge.
It's good to know that they've finally developed metalurgical technology allowing blades to be thicker.
When I see a thread started with members having very low post counts & flooding it with examples of products from one particular manufacturer, I take notice. It's not that I'm immediately suspicious of intent; it's just that I don't want to miss out on the latest , greatest product. With that said, I'm glad there are many razor manufacturers out there. There seems to be a razor out there for everybody.
Now that Douglas Cutlery razors have been placed in this thread for us to enjoy & review, let me make a few comments based upon the information & photos provided.
High carbon steel, a pillar of our civilization for centuries, has taked a beating in this thread. I will not argue Metallurgy with anyone, I have little knowledge of it. But let me show you a picture of some thin grind high carbon steel, that I know for a fact was in use between 1830 to 1840.
Attachment 133341
It sure has taken a beaten & I'm surprised it did not wear itself out before 1850. :shrug:
It gave me the best shave I've had to date, a month ago.
The steel in Douglas razors, carbon-chromium alloys, may be the "cat's meow" of steels today, may be? Time will tell if these razors are sought after 100 years from now.
One thing that I can tell from the photos in this thread, is that the individual scaling these razors,,,should be fired. They simply look horrible to me. Roughly cut scales with a pin job that well,,,, I just can't say,,,,,,,
More time on the total package, instead of debating carbon-chromium alloys vs high carbon steel, might get more Douglas razors in the hands of wet shavers.
Tradition means everything to me when choosing a razor. Tradition cannot be obtained overnight and with a few happy customers,,,,,sorry it just cannot be obtained. I wish the best of luck to the owner of Douglas Cutlery.
If God gave you the skill & "1" hour to fly a plane, would you choose the latest F-35 Joint Strike Fighter?
or
would it be the P-51D Mustang??????????
Do I really need to ask,,,;)
Attachment 133344
Earnest critisim is something I can deal with, and honestly it's quite refreshing. I do respect the traditional blades they are truly inspirational. And I think the scales are improving with every blade. Oh by the way P51. ;)
I would choose a glider.
Sorry for the irrelevant post...:ziplip:
Fokker DR 1 Tri plane.....ya most definately Attachment 133358
I think you may want to look up how razors dull because your speculations aren't quite how it works.
As far as flexing goes, that has very little to do with thickness at the bevel, and neither does edge damage.
I mean it's one thing to manufacture your razors in particular geometry because customers prefer them that way or because it is way easier and cheaper to make them that way, but rationalizing it with wrong science/engineering is no good.
Take a look at the razors marketed 'For Tough Beards' when straight shaving was far more common and there was huge competition. A lot of them, including from the top manufacturers, are full hollow and extra full hollow ground.
Lastly I'd mention that I happen to have a ~200 year old razor (yes the maker stopped producing them ~200 years ago) with a 1/32" bevel thickness. Yes, there is no flex whatsoever, the steel composition from back then is I assume pretty simple, but it's heat treated properly and is really easy to hone (I've done it just once), really nice to shave with, and retains an edge long time.
last thing P 38 lightning with out a doubt.
Attachment 133396
That is beautiful,,,,,,,,
A dulled razors edge on the right. chipped and broken
Attachment 133397
Much different from a dulled razor knifes edge. (Exacto) what most people think of as dulled.
Attachment 133398
That’s the difference between cutting laterally as a knife, and on a bias as a shear (razor). Carbon-Chromium resists this kind of damage. That's not to say vintage blades didn't do very well, good enough to last centuries in fact, it's only to say I went a different way. besides when did good enough become a reason to not do something else.
These pictures by themselves are completely meaningless. So, let's start to put some meaning to them.
First picture:
1) What is on the left side - razor? What kind of razor, grind, steel type, etc.?
2) What is on the right side - razor? What kind of razor, grind, steel type, etc.?
3) What happened to the right side since it was honed and stropped? Shaving? How many times, over what period, maintenance between shaves?
4) What is the scale on those pictures, say the distance along the edge on the left side?
Second picture:
1) What is on the picture - exacto knife blade?
2) How does the exact same blade look like when brand new?
3) What has happened between the blade being brand new and that picture, i.e. what was cut, over what period etc.?
Forget all of this techno-mumbo-jumbo. The bottom line to any razor is customer satisfaction. This gentleman makes a very unique product that seems to appeal to, and satisfy, his customer base. It seems that some folks are throwing his razors onto the Gold Dollar pile because his grind/bevel is unconventional. I wonder how those first hollow grinds were received in Sheffield back in the day. Those early makers didn't have electron microscopes or hardness indexes. They relied on trial and error, experience, feel, and common sense to arrive at a large variety of steels, grinds, shapes, tempers, etc., etc. Their razors either found their niche and then became successful or, like hundreds of examples, became extinct. Like any product this man's razors should be judged by results and not because they are outside the norm.
Regards - Walt
Disclaimer: Even though I live in close proximity to this gentleman I have never met or spoken with him and have never seen or owned any of his razors.
Absolutely, that's one way to look at it. But all of us come here to talk about straight razors, and very large part of it is the 'techno-mumbo-jumbo'. If the only thing we'll be ever saying is "the market is the ultimate decider" then we may as well close the site an put one page "As long as you're satisfied with your razor everything is great, otherwise contact consumer protection!"
Let's see which are the most commercially successful "razors"? The razor shaped objects of the zee-pk type. They've been going on longer than just about any custom razor maker, sell in far larger quantities and there is no evidence that customer (dis)satisfaction with them is making any difference on that market.
I am certainly not lumping the razor in the OP with those razor shaped objects, just demonstrating the falsehood of the "let the market decide".
In any case, we talk forever about stuff like honing, and stropping, we talk over and over about the same hones, razors, brushes, soaps, etc.
Some people apparently took issue with unnecessarily wide bevels. I could see those as something positive from aesthetic point of view, but functionally they are the opposite of 'feature'. Just think for a second - wide bevel exponentially increases the maintenance of a razor. The slightest damage to the edge and you have to spend hours rehoning it.
I think one of the things that makes this site stand out among the rest is the far deeper level of expertise we have here. Which means that when there is false information it gets corrected. I've been around for about 6 years now and there is a huge difference with other shaving sites where the most important thing seems to be 'everybody's opinion is equally good'. Where I come from true is true and false is false, and lack of understanding is not a carte blanche to simply make stuff up.
And yes, those early makers didn't have electron microscopes, they didn't even have thermometers - hence most of their razors are junk as far as shaving goes. Insisting on doing everything by trial and error instead of learning from other people's experience or using the most rudimentary method for performing a job when there is far better stuff available, that in my view is a hallmark of stupidity.
Yes, it can be done, but why would somebody value their time so little or be so arrogant to keep reinventing the wheel.