easiest to hone? hold edge the longest?

[Twelvefret]

Speaking of J.R. Torrey razors, their "OUR 136" is one of the most attractive razors ever made, IMHO. I'll post an example.

Speaking of size, I found a 4/8 Salamander "OUR WEDGE" that provides a superb shave. I do agree that the 6/8 is a nice width.

 

[straightened]

It’s also good to keep in mind that just because the razor was made in say, Germany, that doesn’t mean that the steel was made in Germany. Makers used blanks from many countries, Swedish, Sheffield, etc.

I guess that makes sense LOL

 

[straightened]

Likely reason that the scales were simple and plain as well as it being hard to find one larger than 5/8 is that they were tools and the average person wanted to spend only what it took to get the job done. When I was a kid some 60 years ago, I remember barbers used straight razors and you never saw a straight razor that was in a large size being used by them. Again, barbers were businessmen who only spent what they needed to get the job done properly and would last. The preoccupation with larger razors is a modern hobbyist's fetish. Personally, my favourite size was 6/8 with the larger ones giving me the feeling I was shaving with a spatula. Each to their own.

Bob

I may dig out some old stones and sharpen me up a spatula? for comparison of course. I have compared to butter knives but never a spatula

 

[straightened]

I only have one strop and it is made of horse hide. Some use other materials with good results. I'd suspect that Buffalo would work just fine since stropping positively refines the edge for shaving.

The history behind the McKinley Tariffs is instructive. I have a Wester Brothers razor made from German sources steel. By founding an American presence, they were able to not have to pay the tariffs. Certainly, the tariffs may have helped American makers. I've used New York and Ohio produced razors with good results. I particularly enjoy a 6/8 Geneva razor. It was both easy to hone and has been easy to maintain.

I like Geneva also. genco, Tori. mainly I think I like Sheffield's? there's not a lot but there is a bunch of good ones Imo

 

[straightened]

Speaking of J.R. Torrey razors, their "OUR 136" is one of the most attractive razors ever made, IMHO. I'll post an example.

View attachment 130034

Speaking of size, I found a 4/8 Salamander "OUR WEDGE" that provides a superb shave. I do agree that the 6/8 is a nice width. View attachment 130035

is that a tablecloth, with straights on it LOL that's pretty awesome. I've got bad eyes but that's what I see

 

[Twelvefret]

is that a tablecloth, with straights on it LOL that's pretty awesome. I've got bad eyes but that's what I see

It was a borrowed photo because I am too lazy to post one of my own...LOL!!

 

[Twelvefret]

Some GENCO

I like Geneva also. genco, Tori. mainly I think I like Sheffield's? there's not a lot but there is a bunch of good ones Imo

Here is some history for The Geneva Cutlery Corporation. Save this resource for all things straight razor. Until I got into the SR hobby, I didn't realize the Case Knife connection. My Case Knife love was birthed by my grandfather and great uncles.
STRAZORS.com - all about classic razors - Geneva Cutlery Corp., Geneva, N.Y. USA.

 

[straightened]

Some GENCO

Here is some history for The Geneva Cutlery Corporation. Save this resource for all things straight razor. Until I got into the SR hobby, I didn't realize the Case Knife connection. My Case Knife love was birthed by my grandfather and great uncles.
STRAZORS.com - all about classic razors - Geneva Cutlery Corp., Geneva, N.Y. USA.

one of the biggest lures for me, is the history. rather than a disposable under a bunch of dirt somewhere these things are being passed on.

the potential for someone famous to have used them just blows my mind. thank you for that link.

every once in awhile I will find information on something but there doesn't seem to be any really good source. yet LOL. someone will come up with something someday maybe?. I'm just trying to get my three sons into them

 

[Twelvefret]

one of the biggest lures for me, is the history. rather than a disposable under a bunch of dirt somewhere these things are being passed on.

the potential for someone famous to have used them just blows my mind. thank you for that link.

every once in awhile I will find information on something but there doesn't seem to be any really good source. yet LOL. someone will come up with something someday maybe?. I'm just trying to get my three sons into them

I think you mentioned having a dating interest. Take note of the "tail" size from the linked source, STRAZORS.com - all about classic razors - Construction

I found an old Wade and Butcher that I was able to date 1830-34 era.

It is possible using creative search terms to find good deals on these old relics.

If you want to learn to hone, I'd recommend @Steve56 to start. He will recommend a good novice with a reasonable starting point.

To begin immediately, I'd recommend a Feather SS Shavette with Feather Pro Guard blades. You can do a first pass with a safety and the second with the straight shavette. I use both hands, but some use one. Also, for me, I found that laying the blade flat against the skin and raising ever so little to start. Some new users find these types of razors "tug" a bit. I might be wrong, but I think the secret is in the finger muscles that need to have a memory developed.

 

[Steve56]

Wild Bill Hickok's Straight Razor — Old West & Native American Art Show & Auction

A John Pearce, bone handled straight razor with silver dot inlays, with case. From James Butler Hickok's Deadwood, North Dakota estate and descended through his family. Provenance: Accompanied by a signed and notarized document that reads as follows: “This silver inlaid, bone handled straight raz

www.oldwestevents.com

 

[straightened]

I think you mentioned having a dating interest. Take note of the "tail" size from the linked source, STRAZORS.com - all about classic razors - Construction

I found an old Wade and Butcher that I was able to date 1830-34 era.

It is possible using creative search terms to find good deals on these old relics.

If you want to learn to hone, I'd recommend @Steve56 to start. He will recommend a good novice with a reasonable starting point.

To begin immediately, I'd recommend a Feather SS Shavette with Feather Pro Guard blades. You can do a first pass with a safety and the second with the straight shavette. I use both hands, but some use one. Also, for me, I found that laying the blade flat against the skin and raising ever so little to start. Some new users find these types of razors "tug" a bit. I might be wrong, but I think the secret is in the finger muscles that need to have a memory developed.

that is some very good information. I have found one tang with a number on it everything else is pretty much the same. dating them seems to be the challenge LOL. having one from the 1800s would be awesome. going through the civil war the introduction of automobiles LOL Life as we know it. and they have been there. I will check out all those resources.

I can get them and keep them where I can shave with them but that's about it I don't get into Japanese naturals or nothing. up to a 12,000 shepton and that's it for me for now

 

[Twelvefret]

Here is a post 1890 restored Wade and Butcher with a long tang. These are available at times. This one is 4/8” which the market does not appreciate.

 

[straightened]

when I first started, I always preferred the smaller ones, they just felt sturdier and easier for me LOL. I love that there's so many of them. that's a beautiful one

 

[UKRob]

The preoccupation with larger razors is a modern hobbyist's fetish. Personally, my favourite size was 6/8 with the larger ones giving me the feeling I was shaving with a spatula. Each to their own.

Bob

Bob, your comment begs the question as to why the likes of Wade and Butcher and other English makers went for the bigger sizes of 1” or more. Based on what you see for sale, W&B, in particular seemed to make more of the bigger than smaller sizes which suggests the demand existed long before our modern hobbyists as you call them.

 

[R181]

Bob, your comment begs the question as to why the likes of Wade and Butcher and other English makers went for the bigger sizes of 1” or more. Based on what you see for sale, W&B, in particular seemed to make more of the bigger than smaller sizes which suggests the demand existed long before our modern hobbyists as you call them.

IIRC, early on in the evolution of straight razors the English makers did predominately make 1 in. and larger blades. Most of them were originally heavy grinds and some were later reground to more of a hollow grind. The move away from large heavy grinds came later with the ability to do lighter grinds in smaller sizes. You don't find too many large heavy grind razors from makers in other countries and when you do they are mostly all hollow ground ones. The move away from large heavy grind razors has been going on for more than 100 years and even heavy grind razors are found in smaller sizes too. I don't know if it was the demand for large heavy grind razors or the lack of the ability to produce more hollow ground razors of smaller size.

Bob