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  1. #1
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    Default New article request - Framebacks

    Faux Framebacks / Frameback's - how they fit in with other razor grinds, shaving characteristics, is there a difference in extra hollow and a faux frameback? They seem to be out of vogue; why?

    Thanks!

    -Ray
    Last edited by Spect; 12-24-2009 at 05:20 AM.

  2. #2
    Know thyself holli4pirating's Avatar
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    I have found they are as stiff as wedges but light as full hollows (depending on the frame). I'd guess the complexity of the "grind" makes them tough to mass produce.

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    Senior Member blabbermouth JimmyHAD's Avatar
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    They seem to have come into vogue in the second half of the nineteenth century and then ceased to be. Then made a comeback in the pre WWII years. The early ones were mostly Sheffields and it seems to me that the 'modern' were French and Swedish. I know that TI made them and I've seen some from Eskilstuna.

    I have the impression that the older Sheffields were a labor saving device. The French framebacks I've seen have replacable blades.Here is a homage to the old framebacks by the one and only Robert Williams and a pair of C.V. Heljestrands. I think the Heljes date to the early 1900s but I'm not sure. Framebacks make good shavers IME.
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    Last edited by JimmyHAD; 12-25-2009 at 07:42 PM.
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  6. #4
    Never a dull moment hoglahoo's Avatar
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    Wow Jimmy, those are spectacular
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    Quote Originally Posted by hoglahoo View Post
    Wow Jimmy, those are spectacular
    I saw the C.V. Heljestrands in one of your posts over in the frameback razor club, they are gorgeous.

  8. #6
    Senior Member blabbermouth JimmyHAD's Avatar
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    Thanks guys. A friend of mine found them in an antique shop in Arizona. I gave him a some rare Gillette DEs + $ but I wasn't disappointed. One of them is unused and the other has virtually no hone wear and shaved as close as any I've had before or since with no more than stropping. They are truly magnificent specimens.
    Be careful how you treat people on your way up, you may meet them again on your way back down.

  9. #7
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    Is there a point in the grind when you cross full hollow to faux frameback? Or more simply, how does one decide which grind is which?

    Quote Originally Posted by holli4pirating
    I have found they are as stiff as wedges but light as full hollows
    I assume this refers to a frameback? And faux framebacks would operate like a full hollow?
    Last edited by Spect; 12-26-2009 at 05:23 AM.

  10. #8
    Senior Member blabbermouth JimmyHAD's Avatar
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    Yes a true frameback is a separate spine with a slot in which a blade is inserted. Some of them are pressed in at the factory and cannot be removed, such as the Heljes in the photo above, while others are replaceable like the TI with the screw at the end of the spine.

    The faux frameback, such as the Robert Williams in the photo above, is ground to look like a 'true' frameback and both,IMO, are essentially full hollows.
    Be careful how you treat people on your way up, you may meet them again on your way back down.

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  12. #9
    Little Bear richmondesi's Avatar
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    That Williams is gorgeous!! How do you find the framebacks to shave?

  13. #10
    Senior Member Muirtach's Avatar
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    I love my framebacks, both faux and full. I also have an IXL marked "damascus steel" frameback that I am about to rescale. Brass back and damascus-look swirl etched steel blade. I can't wait to show pictures of it even if the pitting near the edge won't hone out.

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