Khaos;

Here is my take on your questions

Regarding the balance of a straight razor: The scales should be of an appropriate size and mass to counterbalance the blade.

An informal 'center of balance point' would be at the rear pinning point or very slightly forward of it. In practical terms, imagine an invisible line running from your elbow down through to where your wrist rotates and beyond. If the balance point of the razor lies on this line, then the razor will be found to be easier to maneuver and rotate. Razors that are either very nose or tail heavy do not feel as good in the hand.

With regard to your second question, my personal opnion is that a lot of the differences of size, width and so forth have to do with differing outlooks on what constitutes best form or style. For a barber, involved in daily shaving of customers, a slightly wider blade would have represented the best economy in terms of working life before the razor was chucked out as unsharpenable (became too narrow). On the other hand, to the traveller, a smaller lighter blade might have represented a real advantage in lightening the wieght of one's baggage as opposed to a wider, heavier blade intended for home use. Very narrow blades in the 3/8 width are really much better for hair trimming and stylist use rather than shaving of facial hair.

As to your last question, if one is starting with a forged blank of fixed proporations, then it seems logical that choice of point form will inevitably have a small effect upon the available length of cutting edge. Of course, this is no real problem, one way or the other, as the difference(s) would be minimal. IMO length of cutting edge, unless extremely long or short, isn't the greatest determinant of the quality of the shave.

- Ignatz