Thread: Short razor

What are the opinions about shortening a blade?

Is there a practical limit on how short a restored razor ought to be?

Yes there is

and how short is that?

It all depends on the geometry of the razor. I have some 3" that work just great for me and then some that I wish we're shorter. The same with the ~2.5" and ~2.75".
The Feather straight razor is an excellent example. For me the configuration is just perfect.
Know it doesn't help...

At 2 and a quarter I think many "shorties" are marketed as lady's blades. I guess the reasoning is that they are better for the pit area. Who knows? Who cares lol - I love my shorties!!

2.5" is the smallest I have (I think). I have one Revisor, and two Swedes that are shorties and I dig em!! They whip around my face like no other! Great fun, but unless you can find fools like me lol, you'll be hard pressed selling them.

I have a couple of shorties and like them. Kind of like the sports cars of straights. Nimble and agile.

There's a difference between a short razor that's supposed to be short, and a blade that is being shortened. Large razors with short blades can feel out of balance and unwieldy

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

There's a difference between a short razor that's supposed to be short, and a blade that is being shortened. Large razors with short blades can feel out of balance and unwieldy

That's a great point! Mine are all 4/8's.

Originally Posted by earcutter

At 2 and a quarter I think many "shorties" are marketed as lady's blades. I guess the reasoning is that they are better for the pit area. Who knows? Who cares lol - I love my shorties!!

Kamisori are short blades but not considered for ladies.
I have also seen Japanese straights that are 2" long, so the length is not the problem.
The problem is when you are changing the blade geometry by shortening as well as removing stabilizers etc. My guess it stiffer blades will be fine, full hollows may not work so well.

Originally Posted by mainaman

Kamisori are short blades but not considered for ladies.
I have also seen Japanese straights that are 2" long, so the length is not the problem.
The problem is when you are changing the blade geometry by shortening as well as removing stabilizers etc. My guess it stiffer blades will be fine, full hollows may not work so well.

At least one of mine is a full hollow. Works great - but I really do like my blades smaller.

If my buddy's Japanese is up to par, than I think your Kamisori example is wrong... I think. I believe the shorter ones are actually sold "for female use" as well. I could be wrong... but the fact is, I have a shorter bladed Kami and it works just fine for this male face .