Thread: Optimum blade lenght?

While looking at a badly rust damaged blade I was thinking of how to try to salvage it. To much for a barbers notch, maybe shorten it and add a notch? While my thoughts wandered I eyed others laying in a row. Out came the ruler and they are all 2 3/4" to 3". 100 years or so age difference and they are still relatively the same lenght. Different widths different grinds and I can find info on that stuff but nothing on length. That age difference and still the same length. There has to be a reason.

Maybe steel was sold in 12" sheets and they could get 4 to a sheet? [I know I am omitting the tang?]

Any thoughts?

Tim

It is interesting and something I've noticed as well. I have no idea as to the reasoning though..I guess if you had the perfectly shaped face you could use the full blade length and get away with 2 passes on your cheeks..lol..I dunno.

Not entirely sure either....what I do know is that I'm pretty used to 3". When I pick up some of my 3 1/2 inch blades, I really need to concentrate. I have this Wostie spike point that I love shaving with, but each time I use it I really have to think.

Maybe it was about maneuverability? 3 inches is fairly easy to twist and turn and move around.

I was thinking the same thing recently. I was wondering if there was a blade out there that was about the same length as a double edge razor blade (about 1.5 inches)? I think that would be much easier to maneuver and would speed the shaving process up.

Makes me wonder if I can shorten an old blade up and give it a try...

Originally Posted by MackofallTrades

I was thinking the same thing recently. I was wondering if there was a blade out there that was about the same length as a double edge razor blade (about 1.5 inches)? I think that would be much easier to maneuver and would speed the shaving process up.

Makes me wonder if I can shorten an old blade up and give it a try...

Japanese kamisori range from about 1.6" to about 2.4"
I find the 2" length perfect & it is my preferred razor.

I have seen older razors that are about 3.25 or a bit longer, so there is more of a range. I guess those sizes worked, so no one fixed them? I do find that shorter (western) blades are harder to maneuver, and the same for longer, but it could just be a question of what I'm used to.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Japanese kamisori range from about 1.6" to about 2.4"
I find the 2" length perfect & it is my preferred razor.

Do you notice a pressure [for lack of a better term] difference with the shorter blade? Longer means more surface area? But then how much does one use the whole length? I am getting to the age of needing glasses so i can understand the depth perception problem of knowing where the end is. The scales fit in your hand and the blade fits in the scales? I must lead a boring life if this is my question of the day.

Tim

Originally Posted by 32t

Do you notice a pressure [for lack of a better term] difference with the shorter blade? Longer means more surface area? But then how much does one use the whole length? I am getting to the age of needing glasses so i can understand the depth perception problem of knowing where the end is. The scales fit in your hand and the blade fits in the scales? I must lead a boring life if this is my question of the day.

Tim

No, your hand controls the pressure on all blades, just you can be lazy with the heavy 'uns.
Not clear on the "scales fit in your hand etc" question.

Originally Posted by MackofallTrades

I was thinking the same thing recently. I was wondering if there was a blade out there that was about the same length as a double edge razor blade (about 1.5 inches)? I think that would be much easier to maneuver and would speed the shaving process up.

Makes me wonder if I can shorten an old blade up and give it a try...

Oh ya you can do it I had a Ern and I chipped the toe pretty bad and I cut about 3/8 in I believe the razor started out at 2 3/4 in. It was a nice nimble shaver, I liked it alot

Not clear on the "scales fit in your hand etc" question.[/QUOTE]

I meant could the size of the blade be determined by what fits in the scales which could be determined what fits best in your hand?
Tim