Thoughts on the "Razor" Blade Shape

Andrew Echols

Andrew Echols

Joined
Nov 20, 2020
Messages
117
So this is something I have been curious about people's thoughts on for a while now.

What are your guys' thoughts on the "Razor" blade shape below? I am personally a huge fan, but I haven't really seen this shape anywhere outside Rough Ryder, nor have I really seen anyone talk or mention it. Again, I didn't do a deep dive into it.
Rough-Rider-Razor-Trapper-Amber-Bone-BHQ-60940-er-large.jpg


As I mentioned, this is a Rough Ryder I got a few years back (not the same one... obviously), and I just love the blade shape! I think it's practical while also being cool. I know there is the one-armed razor blade shape, but this one is clearly different, and I haven't really seen it at all outside RR.

Anyone else think it's cool? Anyone think it's dumb? Personally, I would love for GEC to release a knife with this blade shape added to it. Preferably with a hollow grind too; it would be cool if the razor was thin enough behind the edge to function as a crude facial hair razor.
Oooh! You could even add a comb like the Urban Jack to really sell the grooming kinda function.
 
I like the one hand opening idea on these classic slippies. With so many old plastic handle models on hand, I wonder if a blade could easily be modded to the "razor" shape. I'm off to tinkering and embellishing.
 
abcdef said:
I like the one hand opening idea on these classic slippies. With so many old plastic handle models on hand, I wonder if a blade could easily be modded to the "razor" shape. I'm off to tinkering and embellishing.
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As in, you're about to go find out if it can be easily modified? haha. If so, please do show the results!
 
r8shell said:
I think GEC had some "one hand opening" shaped blades some years back. You might have better luck finding a vintage Boker.

cC7I3Pz.jpg
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I know GEC has made some "one-hand opening" razors in the past, but the traditional blade shape of the "one-hand opening" razors and the one on the RR are slightly different, but it's a difference that I personally find to be a big one. That is where the cutting edge meets the tip of the blade. The RR has a 90° angle before it sweeps up, giving you that nice point for utility-type cutting. The Traditional blade curves up, completely eliminating the sharp point and replacing it with a curved cutting edge. Plus, the traditional blade shape kinda looks like a spear point with a bite taken out of the point, while the one on the RR has the boxy shape of a straight razor, which I really like.
You get what I'm saying?
 
The "One Arm" is an old blade shape, invented/developed during the US Civil War for veterans (on both sides) who lost a hand or arm during the war.
The majority of whom were farmers, laborers, and tradesmen that needed a knife to do their job.

The "one arm" blade was used by most companies, at least into the 1920's.
I believe it saw a resurgence in popularity during the1940's/early - mid1950's.
 
afishhunter said:
The "One Arm" is an old blade shape, invented/developed during the US Civil War for veterans (on both sides) who lost a hand or arm during the war.
The majority of whom were farmers, laborers, and tradesmen that needed a knife to do their job.

The "one arm" blade was used by most companies, at least into the 1920's.
I believe it saw a resurgence in popularity during the1940's/early - mid1950's.
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Thank you, man, whom fish fear. I was kinda sorta aware of where the original design originated. I am not trying to discredit the original design. It has its place and its value. I am specifically talking about the "razor" shaped blade like the RR in the image above. It seems to be a somewhat modified version of the original design to seem more like a straight razor. I am curious about what people think of it since I've never seen it brought up, and there isn't really anything like it that I can find.

Or I could be misinterpreting your intentions, and you just saw the picture of a "One Arm" blade shape, and it awoke you like a sleeper agent, where you gave a brief history lesson on the shape.
 
Andrew Echols said:
I know GEC has made some "one-hand opening" razors in the past, but the traditional blade shape of the "one-hand opening" razors and the one on the RR are slightly different, but it's a difference that I personally find to be a big one. That is where the cutting edge meets the tip of the blade. The RR has a 90° angle before it sweeps up, giving you that nice point for utility-type cutting. The Traditional blade curves up, completely eliminating the sharp point and replacing it with a curved cutting edge. Plus, the traditional blade shape kinda looks like a spear point with a bite taken out of the point, while the one on the RR has the boxy shape of a straight razor, which I really like.
You get what I'm saying?
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Ah! I see what you mean. You're looking for more of a straight razor shape. The only thing that comes to mind are the Rough Riders, and maybe some old Parker or Frost stuff.
 
r8shell said:
Ah! I see what you mean. You're looking for more of a straight razor shape. The only thing that comes to mind are the Rough Riders, and maybe some old Parker or Frost stuff.
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Awesome! I didn't know there were other ones of its kind outside of RR. Cool to see a bit more.

Now, my question is, why do we not see this blade shape more often? I dont think it would be harder to implement compared to other blade shapes. Maybe I am the only one who likes it, but I simply refuse to believe that is the case😤
 
Maybe I should make a "Wardens of the Razor" cult. I think the "Guardians of the Lambsfoot" have a monopoly on the market for cults that protect blade shapes, and there should be a rivaling force to balance said market.
 
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Upon further research, it will be much harder than I thought to make a cult surrounding the "straight razor" blade shape...
Unlike the Lambsfoot, there is very scarce information regarding the blade shape, and historical pictures of them are just as scarce. It doesn't help that the "one-armed razor" shape floods search results since it's a more popular blade shape. It doesn't seem like there is anything out there that truly traces the history of the blade shape. Almost as if I stumbled onto a genuine gap in traditional knife history. I have found a few older Case knives that have it, but I will have to delve into and parse through whatever old catalogs I can find to find information on its history.

Also, it might be hard to make a whole sub-forum dedicated to a blade shape that has been and still is very niche. So niche that you can probably count on one hand the knives you can get with the blade shape.
 
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