Difference between revisions of "The straight razor"

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== Basic straight razor anatomy  ==
 
== Basic straight razor anatomy  ==
  
[[Image:Straight Razor-Basic Anatomy.png|thumb|300px|Basic Straight Razor Anatomy]] Orientation used in the description: the handle to the right, blade to the left, cutting edge pointing downwards.  
+
[[Image:Straight Razor-Basic Anatomy.png|thumb|400px]] Orientation used in the description: the handle to the right, blade to the left, cutting edge pointing downwards.  
  
 
;Point/Kopf/Bout/Punta  
 
;Point/Kopf/Bout/Punta  
:the left end of the blade (also referred to as "toe", as opposed to "heel", i.e. the other end of the blade area).  
+
:the left end of the blade.  
 
;Blade, with a Back/Ruecken/Dos/Lomo  
 
;Blade, with a Back/Ruecken/Dos/Lomo  
:the part of the blade opposite the cutting edge, and an Schneide/Cutting edge/Tranchant/Corte (pointing downwards).  
+
:the part of the blade opposite the cutting edge(Spine), and an Schneide/Cutting edge/Tranchant/Corte (pointing downwards).  
 
;Tang/Erl/talon/Espiga  
 
;Tang/Erl/talon/Espiga  
 
:the complete non-cutting metal part fixed to the blade, serving as a grip for the index, middle, ring, and little finger.  
 
:the complete non-cutting metal part fixed to the blade, serving as a grip for the index, middle, ring, and little finger.  
 
;Jimps  
 
;Jimps  
:raised ridges along the tang present on some razors as a gripping aid.  
+
:ridges/notches along the tang present on some razors as a gripping aid. If present this is usually on the underside, but can occur on both top and bottom of the tang
 
;Double stabilizing piece/Doppelansatz/Double piece stabilisatrice/Doble pieza estabilizadora  
 
;Double stabilizing piece/Doppelansatz/Double piece stabilisatrice/Doble pieza estabilizadora  
:two close parallel vertical rims situated where the tang continues to the cutting part on the knife. Sometimes there is only one stabilizing piece.  
+
:two close parallel vertical rims situated where the tang continues to the cutting part on the knife. Sometimes there is only one stabilizing piece. It is also referred to as 'shoulder'.  
 
;Decorated tang/Kranzangel/Talon decore/Espiga decorada  
 
;Decorated tang/Kranzangel/Talon decore/Espiga decorada  
 
:some sort of art where the blade stops and the tang begin.  
 
:some sort of art where the blade stops and the tang begin.  
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;Trade mark/Zeichen/Marque/Marca  
 
;Trade mark/Zeichen/Marque/Marca  
 
:the mark/text graved on the tang.  
 
:the mark/text graved on the tang.  
;The Ridge/Der Wall  
+
;The Ridge/Der Wall
:parallel to the back and the edge, running from point to the stabilizing piece, is a thickening of the blade, the purpose of which is to stabilize against torsion in the horizontal plane, and to give the edge elasticity. The stabilizing piece gives the blade torsion resistance in the vertical plane. If the ridge is close to the edge, it is called =BC hollow ground, the lowest grade of hollow ground; if it is close to the back, it is called 1/1 or full hollow ground; =BD and =BE are in-between.
+
:parallel to the back and the edge, running from point to the stabilizing piece, is a thickening of the blade, the purpose of which is to stabilize against torsion in the horizontal plane, and to give the edge elasticity. The stabilizing piece gives the blade torsion resistance in the vertical plane. If the ridge is close to the edge, it is called ¼ hollow ground, the lowest grade of hollow ground; if it is close to the back, it is called 1/1 or full hollow ground; ½ and ¾ are in-between.
  
 
== The blade ==
 
== The blade ==
  
=== Metal ===
+
=== Metal ===
 +
 
 +
[[Image:Jimmyswybck1.jpg|thumb]] Pure iron is a relatively malleable metal which cannot be honed to get a sharp edge. [[On Steel|Steel]] is an alloy of iron with a certain proportion of carbon. Higher carbon content makes steel harder, thus allowing a sharp edge to be produced, but at the same time making it more prone to breaking. Steels used for straight razor blades (and cutlery in general) typically have 0.5-1.5% carbon by mass.
 +
 
 +
However, the carbon content is not the only factor which determines the properties of a steel. Other metals are usually present, either intentionally added or because they exist in the iron ore&nbsp;: nickel, vanadium, chromium, molybdenum are among the main "steel modifiers". In particular, stainless steel by definition contains at least 10% chromium.<ref>http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=why-doesnt-stainless-stee</ref> Many razors use stainless steel blades. The most obvious effect is that those blades are considerably more resistant to rus. Also, stainless steel razors generally can keep their edge longer, since the oxidation of the steel is slower.
  
Pure iron is a relatively malleable metal, which cannot be honed to get a sharp edge. Steel is an alloy of iron with a certain proportion of carbon. Higher carbon content makes steel harder, thus allowing a sharp edge to be produced, but at the same time making it more prone to breaking. Steels used for straight razor blades (and cutlery in general) typically have 0.5-1.5% carbon by mass.
+
Aside from the chemical composition, the properties of steel are also a function of how atoms are arranged inside it. This is a function of the forging process. When steel is heated to near the point of melting, and cooled down to ambient temperature slowly, the atomic structure evolves with the temperature. In fact the atomic structure rearranges at various temperatures below melting. However, by heating the steel slowly, and cooling it quickly (usually by plunging it into water), a blacksmith can force the atomic structure which normally exists at high temperature to be kept at low temperature (the atoms do not have enough time to move during the cooling). This process, known as quenching, was developed empirically by generations of smiths, and its infinite variations make much of the know-how in blade making.  
 
However, the carbon content is not the only factor which determines the properties of a steel. Other metals are usually present, either voluntarily added or because they exist in the iron ore : nickel, vanadium, chromium, molybdenum are among the main "steel modifiers". In particular, stainless steel contains a certain proportion of chromium. Many razors use stainless steel blades. The most obvious effect is that those blades are not exposed to rust. Also, stainless steel is harder, thus requiring a slightly different approach to honing, but they also can keep their edge for longer.
 
  
Aside from the chemical composition, the properties of steel are also a function of how atoms are arranged inside it. This is a function of the forging process. When steel is heated to near the point of fusion, and cooled down to ambient temperature slowly, the atomic structure evolves with the temperature. However, by heating the steel slowly, and cooling it quickly (usually by plunging it into water), a blacksmith can force the atomic structure which normally exist at high temperature to be kept in low temperature (the atoms do not have enough time to move during the cooling). This process, known as quenching, was developed empirically by generations of smiths, and it's infinite variations makes much of the know-how in blade making.
+
Damascus is a sandwich of two different steels. Typically, one of them has a slightly lower carbon content, and the other slightly higher. The smith starts with two plates of each steal, and forges them together. After sufficient hammering, the bilayer can be folded in two, and the process is repeated until a thin alternance of the two steels is obtained.The carbon content is uniform in the final result. The obtained blanks is then forged, quenched and ground. Finally, it is exposed to an acid which oxidizes both steels differently, creating an interesting visual effect (see image below).
  
 
=== Widths and grinds  ===
 
=== Widths and grinds  ===
The width of the blade is traditionally measured in 8th (or 16th) of inch (a inch being equal to 25.4 mm). For instance, a razor with an 18 mm large blade is called a 5/8. Width vary from 3/8 to 8/8 (9.5 to 25.4 mm) or even 9/8, with 5/8 and 6/8 blades being the most common.  
+
 
 +
The width of the blade is traditionally measured in 8th (or 16th) of inch (a inch being equal to 25.4 mm). For instance, a razor with an 18 mm large blade is called a 5/8. Width varies from 3/8 to 8/8 (9.5 to 25.4 mm) or even 9/8, with 5/8 and 6/8 blades being the most common.  
 +
 
 +
This is a chart by Henckels Zwilllingswerk:
  
 
[[Image:Henckels-Chart.jpg]]  
 
[[Image:Henckels-Chart.jpg]]  
  
The smith can subtract a varying amount of steel to produce a hollow blade. The chart show various levels of hollow blades, from "extra hollow" to "true wedge". An hollow blade produce a crystalline sound while cutting an hair.
+
This is the chart SRP uses for its razor database:
 +
 
 +
[[Image:SRP GrindForm.GIF]]
 +
 
 +
The smith can subtract a varying amount of steel to produce a hollow blade. The chart show various levels of hollow blades, from "extra hollow" to "true wedge". A hollow blade produces a crystalline sound while cutting a hair.  
 +
 
 +
The main objective of hollow ground blades is to make honing much easier. On a true wedge blade, the honer has to remove steel on the whole flank. By contrast, on a hollow ground, only the very edge of the blade and the flank of the spine are to be thinned, which requires much less effort. The spine must rest on the stone (or the leather). It ensures that a constant honing angle is applied. During the lifetime of the razor, the blade is somewhat narrowed by successive honing cycles, but the spine is also thinned, thus the honing angle remains the same.
 +
 
 +
=== Single and double grinds ===
 +
One of the simplest ways to remove metal from the sides of the blade is by contact to a grinding wheel, which carves out a circular segment resulting in a profile similar to this
 +
 
 +
[[Image:Single_Grind2.jpg|x300px]][[Image:Single_Grind1.jpg|x300px]]
 +
 
 +
However, more hollowing is easier to achieve with double grinding, carving out two overlapping circular segments. The resulting profile is characterized by a belly in between these segments similar to this
 +
 
 +
[[Image:Double_Grind1.jpg|x300px]][[Image:Double_Grind2.jpg|x300px]]
  
 
=== Point styles  ===
 
=== Point styles  ===
The point of the blade can be shaped in several styles, the commonest being the round point and the square point (or ‘spike’). But there are also half-round, oblique, notched and French points. The sharp corner on the square point razor is useful for exact work, say, around the edge of a moustache. However, it is also easy to cut yourself with, so most beginners will want a round point as this is more forgiving.  
+
The point of the blade can be shaped in several styles, the commonest being the round point and the square point (or ‘spike’). But there are also half-round, oblique, notched and French points. The sharp corner on the square point razor is useful for exact work, say, around the edge of a moustache. Whether sharp or round point is more dangerous the answer is that they both are in a different way. A sharp point does not provide any cushion against poor depth perception, while with a round point it is not clear where the actual cutting edge ends. At the end of the day it is a matter of personal preference, but as far as safety goes knowing exactly where the edge is at any moment is crucial.
  
[[Image:Point.jpg]]  
+
[[Image:Point.jpg]]
  
 
=== Shoulder styles  ===
 
=== Shoulder styles  ===
  
[[Image:Shoulder bis.jpg]]  
+
Shoulders are somewhat thicker parts at the "beginning" of the blade (near the tang), whose purpose is to increase the rigidity of the ground part. An extra hollow blade is, except at the spine, a very thin membrane of steel, which would lack stiffness otherwise. 
 +
 
 +
[[Image:Shoulder bis.jpg]]
  
 
=== Tail styles  ===
 
=== Tail styles  ===
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[[Image:Spineprofile.jpg]]
 
[[Image:Spineprofile.jpg]]
 +
 +
 +
=== Edge Profiles  ===
 +
 +
[[Image:Edgeprofiles.jpg]]
  
 
== Scale materials  ==
 
== Scale materials  ==
  
Scales come in a variety of materials depending of the price range, manufacturer, and era of the razor. Natural materials include wood and animal products, while plastics are also widely used. One must not be ideological about materials, as there are very good razors with plastic scales. Plastics scales are the cheapest to make from an industrial perspective, but requiere too much tooling for amateurs. Wood is therefore the preferred choice for homemade replacement scales, as it can be machined using artisanal tools.  
+
Scales come in a variety of materials depending on the price range, manufacturer, and era of the razor. Natural materials include wood and animal products, while plastics are also widely used. One must not be ideological about materials, as there are very good razors with plastic scales. Plastics scales are the cheapest to make from an industrial perspective, but require too much tooling for amateurs. Wood is therefore the preferred choice for homemade replacement scales, as it can be machined using artisanal tools.  
  
 
=== Wood  ===
 
=== Wood  ===
  
Various kinds of wood, more or less "noble", are used to make scales. Ebony is hard, dense and lasting, it is used notably by the common [[Dovo Silver Steel]] "Ebenholz" (German for ebony). Boxes is another good wood, used among other by [[Thiers Issard]]. Snakewood, Cedar, Bocote Rosewood, Olive wood and among the quality woods used for scales.  
+
Various kinds of wood, more or less "noble", are used to make scales. Ebony is hard, dense and lasting, it is used notably by the common [[Dovo Silver Steel]] "Ebenholz" (German for ebony). Boxwood is another good wood, used among other by [[Thiers Issard]]. Snakewood, Cedar, Bocote Rosewood, and Olive wood are among the quality woods used for scales.
 +
 
 +
Various techniques are used to protect the wood from moisture and mold&nbsp;: [[Finishing scales using wax|wax]], varnish, [[Finishing scales using epoxy resin|epoxy coating]]... Using those techniques, wood becomes a long lasting material.  
  
Various techniques are used to protect the wood from moisture and mold&nbsp;: [[Finishing scales using wax|wax]], varnish, [[Finishing scales using epoxy resin|expoxy coating]]... Using those techniques, wood becomes a long lasting material.  
+
<gallery>
 +
File:Ebony.jpg|A Dovo Silver Steel, a common model with ebony scales
 +
File:Livisnake.jpg|An Italian piece of art (Mastro Livi) with snakewood scales
 +
File:Homemadeboxwood.jpg|An example of homemade boxwood scales
 +
</gallery>
  
 
=== Metal  ===
 
=== Metal  ===
  
Stainless steel are a bit heavier than wood or plastics, but are lasting and noble. [[Dovo|Dovo "All Stainless Steel"]] and [[Wapienica]] uses such scales. Aluminium scales can be found on vintage razors too. Silver is even used on some antiques.  
+
Stainless steels are a bit heavier than wood or plastics, but are lasting and noble. [[Dovo|Dovo "All Stainless Steel"]] and [[Wapienica]] are among the widespread razors using this material. Aluminum scales can be found on vintage razors too. Silver is even used on some high-end antiques.  
 +
 
 +
<gallery>
 +
File:MystiqueGuidoWapi.jpg|The polish Wapienica with its stainless steel scales
 +
File:3.JPG|A Russian Antique with Silver Scales
 +
</gallery>
  
 
=== Animal products  ===
 
=== Animal products  ===
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Earlier razors used numerous materials derived from the animal reign. The use of those materials have declined, because of competition from cheap plastics and the ban of some materials who were derived from endangered species.  
 
Earlier razors used numerous materials derived from the animal reign. The use of those materials have declined, because of competition from cheap plastics and the ban of some materials who were derived from endangered species.  
  
*Bone (presumably from cattle) is still used on contemporary procuced razors, ie [[Dovo|Dovo "Bismarck" 5/8]].  
+
*Bone (typically from cattle) is still used on contemporary produced razors, ie [[Dovo "Bismarck" 5/8]].
 +
 
 
*Horn (from cattle, bison, buffalo) makes very good scales. This noble material requires specific maintenance (see [[Illustrated guide to fixing warped horn scales]]). Note that the same product (basically keratin) can be produced from cattle hoof.  
 
*Horn (from cattle, bison, buffalo) makes very good scales. This noble material requires specific maintenance (see [[Illustrated guide to fixing warped horn scales]]). Note that the same product (basically keratin) can be produced from cattle hoof.  
*Mother-of-pearl is a very beautiful, but very expensive material, used by some razors such as [[Dovo|a Dovo]].  
+
*Mother-of-pearl (aka Nacre) is a very beautiful, but very expensive material, used by some high-end razors. The rarity (hence, the price) of large pieces of nacre means those scales are usually made of two or three assembled slabs (as in the exemple below).  
*Turtle scales are a premium choice. Sea turtles hunt is now banned.  
+
*Turtle scales used to be a premium choice. Sea turtle hunting is now banned, preventing any legal supply of this product.  
*Ivory, which makes the scales of some high-end vntage razors, is now banned, except in fossil form (see [[Dovo|Dovo "Mammut" 110]]).
+
*Ivory<ref>Guide to identifying ivory: http://www.cites.org/eng/resources/pub/E-Ivory-guide.pdf</ref>, which makes the scales of some high-end vintage razors, is now banned, except in fossil form from mammoths (see [[Dovo "Mammut" 110]]).
 +
*Pressed leather has also been used.
 +
 
 +
<gallery>
 +
File:Rodgers9.jpg|British antiques with ivory scales and tang
 +
File:TDS_-_Wacker_-_Red_Head_Black_Horn.jpg|Black horn scales on a Wacker
 +
File:Watkins-Sears_2.jpg| Mother of pearl
 +
File:Dov_mam3.jpg|[[Dovo "Mammut" 110]] with fossil ivory scales
 +
</gallery>
  
 
=== Composites with natural fibers  ===
 
=== Composites with natural fibers  ===
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Those materials are sorts of laminated, plywoods, and so on.  
 
Those materials are sorts of laminated, plywoods, and so on.  
  
*Mircata was widely used at a time. It is a plastic (epoxy or cyanoacrylate) with embedded natural materials, such as linen, or even paper.  
+
*Micarta was widely used at a time. It is a plastic (epoxy or cyanoacrylate) with embedded natural materials, such as linen, or even paper. See also : [[Making Micarta scale material]]
 
*Stamina is a similar material, made of wood and phenol.
 
*Stamina is a similar material, made of wood and phenol.
  
 
=== Plastics and elastomers  ===
 
=== Plastics and elastomers  ===
  
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celluloid Celluloid] was historically the first plastic ever, developed as a substitute for ivory (and still sold as faux ivory now). Made from a chemical reaction between cellulose (cotton, paper...) and nitric acid, made imputrescible by the addition of formol, it could be called a bioplastic. It's extremely flammable. Relatively few new straight razors use celluloid scales, except as faux ivory or faux nacre. However, regarding vintage razors, celluloid scales are usual, and sometimes decorated with elaborated reliefs.  
+
Plastics are artificial polymers. They are generally classified between thermoplastics and thermosetting plastics. Thermoplastics, such as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/epoxy epoxy], turns liquid when heated enough, and are melt to mold a desired object. Thermosetting plastics, such as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/polyethylene  polyethylene], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyvinyl_chloride PVC], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/polypropylene  polypropylene], or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakelite Bakelite], are made from two or more reactants, which are heated to provoke the polymerization. Thus, it's the heating that created the plastic, and this process is not reversible. One created, the object can not be melted back, reshaped, nor recycled. 
*Various thermoplastics (ie, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/polyethylene  polyethylene]) and thermosetting plastics (ie, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/epoxy epoxy]) now makes the scales of most entry-level razors made in the last decades.  
+
 
 +
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celluloid Celluloid] was historically the first thermoplastic ever, developed as a substitute for ivory (and still sold as faux ivory now). Made from a chemical reaction between cellulose (cotton, paper...) and nitric acid, made decay-proof by the addition of formol, it could be called a bioplastic. It's extremely flammable. Relatively few new straight razors use celluloid scales, except as faux ivory or faux nacre. However, regarding vintage razors, celluloid scales are usual, and sometimes decorated with elaborated reliefs.  
 +
*Various usual plastics are now used in the make-up of the scales of most entry-level razors made in the last few decades.  
 
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakelite Bakelite](commercial name for polyoxybenzylmethylenglycolanhydride) was popular in the first half of the 20th century. Like celluloid, it's one of the first plastics ever. This thermosetting polymer is produced from phenol and formaldehyde (both are basic products from the petrochemical industry), wood flour can be added as a filler.  
 
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakelite Bakelite](commercial name for polyoxybenzylmethylenglycolanhydride) was popular in the first half of the 20th century. Like celluloid, it's one of the first plastics ever. This thermosetting polymer is produced from phenol and formaldehyde (both are basic products from the petrochemical industry), wood flour can be added as a filler.  
 
*Rubber (natural or artificial) has also been used.
 
*Rubber (natural or artificial) has also been used.
 +
 +
 +
<gallery>
 +
File:Simmons-Superior.jpg|Relief decoration on celluloid scales.
 +
File:Solingen2.JPG|An example of recent and relatively cheap razor, with transparent plastic scales.
 +
File:Heljestrand - MK 22 002.jpg|Rubber scales on a swedish vintage
 +
</gallery>
  
 
== Buying razors == <!-- FIX LATER  
 
== Buying razors == <!-- FIX LATER  
Line 116: Line 172:
 
==== Edge damage  ====
 
==== Edge damage  ====
  
Chips, nicks, or cracks in the edge can also prevent a blade from being honed. Very small chips or nicks can take many hours to hone out. Larger chips and nicks as well as cracks can mean that a razor needs to be reground before it is usable. [[Image:Edge Damage on Mehl.jpg|thumb|300px|Seriously damaged edge, probably caused by a combination of too much pressure during bevel setting (see long scratch marks) and overly aggressive polishing.]]  
+
Chips, nicks, or cracks in the edge can also prevent a blade from being honed. Very small chips or nicks can take many hours to hone out. Larger chips and nicks as well as cracks can mean that a razor needs to be reground before it is usable. [[Image:Edge Damage on Mehl.jpg|thumb|300px]]  
  
 
==== Heavy pitting  ====
 
==== Heavy pitting  ====
  
 
Heavy pitting that covers a large portion of the blade will require [[Hand sanding a blade|sanding a lot of material off of the blade]] in order to get rid of the pitting and corrosion. If the pitting or the corrosion extend to the edge of the blade, it is likely that the blade cannot be made usable again and therefore should be avoided.  
 
Heavy pitting that covers a large portion of the blade will require [[Hand sanding a blade|sanding a lot of material off of the blade]] in order to get rid of the pitting and corrosion. If the pitting or the corrosion extend to the edge of the blade, it is likely that the blade cannot be made usable again and therefore should be avoided.  
 +
 +
==== Micropitting&nbsp; <br> ====
 +
 +
Micropitting, or Devil's Spit, is very fine corrosion that can tunnel into the steel and cause damage beyond what you can see. Viewed with a good 10x hand lens it looks like random, black lines and pores. If it occurs along the edge, the blade may not be recoverable for shaving.&nbsp;
  
 
==== Extreme warping  ====
 
==== Extreme warping  ====
Line 133: Line 193:
  
 
#When was the blade last honed?  
 
#When was the blade last honed?  
 +
#Is there evidence of micropitting?
 
#Does it center in the scales without the edge making contact on either side?  
 
#Does it center in the scales without the edge making contact on either side?  
 
#Is the pivot pin tight?  
 
#Is the pivot pin tight?  

Latest revision as of 15:46, 15 December 2014

Mastro Livi "For Straight Razor Place" / Region: Perugia, Italy / Date: 2008 / Grind: Full Hollow / Size: 7/8" / Point: Spanish / Shoulder: 1 stabilizer / Spine Decoration: File work / Jimps: Upper & Lower / Scales: Wood / Steel: Stainless
In this entry, we will explore straight razors a bit more in depth including the anatomy of a straight razor, different styles of razors, things to look for when buying antique straight razors for use, questions to ask a seller when purchasing an antique razor online, as well as many other things.

Basic straight razor anatomy[edit | edit source]

Straight Razor-Basic Anatomy.png
Orientation used in the description: the handle to the right, blade to the left, cutting edge pointing downwards.
Point/Kopf/Bout/Punta
the left end of the blade.
Blade, with a Back/Ruecken/Dos/Lomo
the part of the blade opposite the cutting edge(Spine), and an Schneide/Cutting edge/Tranchant/Corte (pointing downwards).
Tang/Erl/talon/Espiga
the complete non-cutting metal part fixed to the blade, serving as a grip for the index, middle, ring, and little finger.
Jimps
ridges/notches along the tang present on some razors as a gripping aid. If present this is usually on the underside, but can occur on both top and bottom of the tang
Double stabilizing piece/Doppelansatz/Double piece stabilisatrice/Doble pieza estabilizadora
two close parallel vertical rims situated where the tang continues to the cutting part on the knife. Sometimes there is only one stabilizing piece. It is also referred to as 'shoulder'.
Decorated tang/Kranzangel/Talon decore/Espiga decorada
some sort of art where the blade stops and the tang begin.
Handle/Schale/Manche/Cacha
the part of the razor that contains the blade when closed. Sometimes it has an Einlage/Inlay/Marque/Marca (text, mark on the handle).
Center plug/Steg/Rivet central/Remanche estabilizador
the middle plug on the handle; Hohlung/Hollow ground/Evidage/Filo Concavo: the biconcave form of the blade in transection view.
Gold etching/Goldätzung/Gravure doree/Grabado Dorado
the mark or text on the blade.
Trade mark/Zeichen/Marque/Marca
the mark/text graved on the tang.
The Ridge/Der Wall
parallel to the back and the edge, running from point to the stabilizing piece, is a thickening of the blade, the purpose of which is to stabilize against torsion in the horizontal plane, and to give the edge elasticity. The stabilizing piece gives the blade torsion resistance in the vertical plane. If the ridge is close to the edge, it is called ¼ hollow ground, the lowest grade of hollow ground; if it is close to the back, it is called 1/1 or full hollow ground; ½ and ¾ are in-between.

The blade[edit | edit source]

Metal[edit | edit source]

Jimmyswybck1.jpg
Pure iron is a relatively malleable metal which cannot be honed to get a sharp edge. Steel is an alloy of iron with a certain proportion of carbon. Higher carbon content makes steel harder, thus allowing a sharp edge to be produced, but at the same time making it more prone to breaking. Steels used for straight razor blades (and cutlery in general) typically have 0.5-1.5% carbon by mass.

However, the carbon content is not the only factor which determines the properties of a steel. Other metals are usually present, either intentionally added or because they exist in the iron ore : nickel, vanadium, chromium, molybdenum are among the main "steel modifiers". In particular, stainless steel by definition contains at least 10% chromium.[1] Many razors use stainless steel blades. The most obvious effect is that those blades are considerably more resistant to rus. Also, stainless steel razors generally can keep their edge longer, since the oxidation of the steel is slower.

Aside from the chemical composition, the properties of steel are also a function of how atoms are arranged inside it. This is a function of the forging process. When steel is heated to near the point of melting, and cooled down to ambient temperature slowly, the atomic structure evolves with the temperature. In fact the atomic structure rearranges at various temperatures below melting. However, by heating the steel slowly, and cooling it quickly (usually by plunging it into water), a blacksmith can force the atomic structure which normally exists at high temperature to be kept at low temperature (the atoms do not have enough time to move during the cooling). This process, known as quenching, was developed empirically by generations of smiths, and its infinite variations make much of the know-how in blade making.

Damascus is a sandwich of two different steels. Typically, one of them has a slightly lower carbon content, and the other slightly higher. The smith starts with two plates of each steal, and forges them together. After sufficient hammering, the bilayer can be folded in two, and the process is repeated until a thin alternance of the two steels is obtained.The carbon content is uniform in the final result. The obtained blanks is then forged, quenched and ground. Finally, it is exposed to an acid which oxidizes both steels differently, creating an interesting visual effect (see image below).

Widths and grinds[edit | edit source]

The width of the blade is traditionally measured in 8th (or 16th) of inch (a inch being equal to 25.4 mm). For instance, a razor with an 18 mm large blade is called a 5/8. Width varies from 3/8 to 8/8 (9.5 to 25.4 mm) or even 9/8, with 5/8 and 6/8 blades being the most common.

This is a chart by Henckels Zwilllingswerk:

Henckels-Chart.jpg

This is the chart SRP uses for its razor database:

SRP GrindForm.GIF

The smith can subtract a varying amount of steel to produce a hollow blade. The chart show various levels of hollow blades, from "extra hollow" to "true wedge". A hollow blade produces a crystalline sound while cutting a hair.

The main objective of hollow ground blades is to make honing much easier. On a true wedge blade, the honer has to remove steel on the whole flank. By contrast, on a hollow ground, only the very edge of the blade and the flank of the spine are to be thinned, which requires much less effort. The spine must rest on the stone (or the leather). It ensures that a constant honing angle is applied. During the lifetime of the razor, the blade is somewhat narrowed by successive honing cycles, but the spine is also thinned, thus the honing angle remains the same.

Single and double grinds[edit | edit source]

One of the simplest ways to remove metal from the sides of the blade is by contact to a grinding wheel, which carves out a circular segment resulting in a profile similar to this

Single Grind2.jpgSingle Grind1.jpg

However, more hollowing is easier to achieve with double grinding, carving out two overlapping circular segments. The resulting profile is characterized by a belly in between these segments similar to this

Double Grind1.jpgDouble Grind2.jpg

Point styles[edit | edit source]

The point of the blade can be shaped in several styles, the commonest being the round point and the square point (or ‘spike’). But there are also half-round, oblique, notched and French points. The sharp corner on the square point razor is useful for exact work, say, around the edge of a moustache. Whether sharp or round point is more dangerous the answer is that they both are in a different way. A sharp point does not provide any cushion against poor depth perception, while with a round point it is not clear where the actual cutting edge ends. At the end of the day it is a matter of personal preference, but as far as safety goes knowing exactly where the edge is at any moment is crucial.

Point.jpg

Shoulder styles[edit | edit source]

Shoulders are somewhat thicker parts at the "beginning" of the blade (near the tang), whose purpose is to increase the rigidity of the ground part. An extra hollow blade is, except at the spine, a very thin membrane of steel, which would lack stiffness otherwise.

Shoulder bis.jpg

Tail styles[edit | edit source]

Tail.jpg

Spine styles[edit | edit source]

Spineprofile.jpg


Edge Profiles[edit | edit source]

Edgeprofiles.jpg

Scale materials[edit | edit source]

Scales come in a variety of materials depending on the price range, manufacturer, and era of the razor. Natural materials include wood and animal products, while plastics are also widely used. One must not be ideological about materials, as there are very good razors with plastic scales. Plastics scales are the cheapest to make from an industrial perspective, but require too much tooling for amateurs. Wood is therefore the preferred choice for homemade replacement scales, as it can be machined using artisanal tools.

Wood[edit | edit source]

Various kinds of wood, more or less "noble", are used to make scales. Ebony is hard, dense and lasting, it is used notably by the common Dovo Silver Steel "Ebenholz" (German for ebony). Boxwood is another good wood, used among other by Thiers Issard. Snakewood, Cedar, Bocote Rosewood, and Olive wood are among the quality woods used for scales.

Various techniques are used to protect the wood from moisture and mold : wax, varnish, epoxy coating... Using those techniques, wood becomes a long lasting material.

Metal[edit | edit source]

Stainless steels are a bit heavier than wood or plastics, but are lasting and noble. Dovo "All Stainless Steel" and Wapienica are among the widespread razors using this material. Aluminum scales can be found on vintage razors too. Silver is even used on some high-end antiques.

Animal products[edit | edit source]

Earlier razors used numerous materials derived from the animal reign. The use of those materials have declined, because of competition from cheap plastics and the ban of some materials who were derived from endangered species.

  • Bone (typically from cattle) is still used on contemporary produced razors, ie Dovo "Bismarck" 5/8.
  • Horn (from cattle, bison, buffalo) makes very good scales. This noble material requires specific maintenance (see Illustrated guide to fixing warped horn scales). Note that the same product (basically keratin) can be produced from cattle hoof.
  • Mother-of-pearl (aka Nacre) is a very beautiful, but very expensive material, used by some high-end razors. The rarity (hence, the price) of large pieces of nacre means those scales are usually made of two or three assembled slabs (as in the exemple below).
  • Turtle scales used to be a premium choice. Sea turtle hunting is now banned, preventing any legal supply of this product.
  • Ivory[2], which makes the scales of some high-end vintage razors, is now banned, except in fossil form from mammoths (see Dovo "Mammut" 110).
  • Pressed leather has also been used.

Composites with natural fibers[edit | edit source]

Those materials are sorts of laminated, plywoods, and so on.

  • Micarta was widely used at a time. It is a plastic (epoxy or cyanoacrylate) with embedded natural materials, such as linen, or even paper. See also : Making Micarta scale material
  • Stamina is a similar material, made of wood and phenol.

Plastics and elastomers[edit | edit source]

Plastics are artificial polymers. They are generally classified between thermoplastics and thermosetting plastics. Thermoplastics, such as epoxy, turns liquid when heated enough, and are melt to mold a desired object. Thermosetting plastics, such as polyethylene, PVC, polypropylene, or Bakelite, are made from two or more reactants, which are heated to provoke the polymerization. Thus, it's the heating that created the plastic, and this process is not reversible. One created, the object can not be melted back, reshaped, nor recycled.

  • Celluloid was historically the first thermoplastic ever, developed as a substitute for ivory (and still sold as faux ivory now). Made from a chemical reaction between cellulose (cotton, paper...) and nitric acid, made decay-proof by the addition of formol, it could be called a bioplastic. It's extremely flammable. Relatively few new straight razors use celluloid scales, except as faux ivory or faux nacre. However, regarding vintage razors, celluloid scales are usual, and sometimes decorated with elaborated reliefs.
  • Various usual plastics are now used in the make-up of the scales of most entry-level razors made in the last few decades.
  • Bakelite(commercial name for polyoxybenzylmethylenglycolanhydride) was popular in the first half of the 20th century. Like celluloid, it's one of the first plastics ever. This thermosetting polymer is produced from phenol and formaldehyde (both are basic products from the petrochemical industry), wood flour can be added as a filler.
  • Rubber (natural or artificial) has also been used.


Buying razors[edit | edit source]

Serious issues[edit | edit source]

Frowning blades[edit | edit source]

When a blade is wider at the heel and the toe, it is said to be "frowning." A frowning blade is very difficult to hone if it can be honed at all and so should be avoided if possible.

Edge damage[edit | edit source]

Chips, nicks, or cracks in the edge can also prevent a blade from being honed. Very small chips or nicks can take many hours to hone out. Larger chips and nicks as well as cracks can mean that a razor needs to be reground before it is usable.
Edge Damage on Mehl.jpg

Heavy pitting[edit | edit source]

Heavy pitting that covers a large portion of the blade will require sanding a lot of material off of the blade in order to get rid of the pitting and corrosion. If the pitting or the corrosion extend to the edge of the blade, it is likely that the blade cannot be made usable again and therefore should be avoided.

Micropitting 
[edit | edit source]

Micropitting, or Devil's Spit, is very fine corrosion that can tunnel into the steel and cause damage beyond what you can see. Viewed with a good 10x hand lens it looks like random, black lines and pores. If it occurs along the edge, the blade may not be recoverable for shaving. 

Extreme warping[edit | edit source]

A blade that twists or is otherwise warped visibly is likely to be difficult or impossible to hone. Many older blades maybe uneven when placed on a flat hone and can be honed by using specific techniques like a rolling hone stroke or a concentrated x-pattern. Extreme warping is observable with the naked eye and should be avoided.

Warped scales, however, can be fixed, cf. the Illustrated Guide to Fixing Warped Scales. It should be noted, though, that removing the scales may like result in breakage. A relatively safe way to remove and later re-attach scales is described in the Illustrated Guide to Un-pinning and Re-pinning.

Questions to ask a seller[edit | edit source]

Despite their best efforts, many sellers have limited knowledge of what is essential information to be put into a classified. If any of the following are missing from the description of a razor that is for sale, you may want to enquire further to avoid later disputes over lack of quality.

  1. When was the blade last honed?
  2. Is there evidence of micropitting?
  3. Does it center in the scales without the edge making contact on either side?
  4. Is the pivot pin tight?
  5. Are the scales original?
  6. Are there any cracks in the scales?
  7. Are there any hairline cracks in the blade?
  8. Do you have pictures of the (other side of the blade, close up of a certain area, etc)?
  9. Do you offer a return policy if I am not satisfied?
    1. If yes, what are the terms?

References[edit | edit source]