Thread: 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

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.

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.

Wow Jimmy, those are spectacular

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

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.

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.

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?

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?

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.

That Williams is gorgeous!! How do you find the framebacks to shave?

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.