Turns out I don't like straight razors

sturzi

sturzi

Joined
Dec 12, 2007
Messages
888
Hey you all,
First time here in the razor forums.
As every other knifenut here I guess, I started getting bored using the ridiculously expensive, now up to 5-bladed, battery operated (???) razors (well, I never used THOSE).
So I once took an old SAK with damaged scales and a broken off tip, ground it down so the secondary bevel was gone and the tip rounded and tried sharpening it so it can be used for shaving. As it turns out that works rather well, and I shaved with that knife for about two years, always telling myself that I finally should buy a straight razor.
Lazy as I am, that never happened. But for my birthday my brother finally got me one. I couldn't wait to test this tool of ultimate sharpness, but was pretty disappointed. First of all the factory edge was unusable, but easily fixed. Understandably, the first tries were pretty awkward with the new blade, but I thought I would get used to it.
Now, after a couple of months, I still think the blade is too heavy and the flappy handle too light and flimsy. I just can't get used to the awkward way of holding that thing and now went back to my good old SAK.
With that I have a light blade and so the balance is right in the handle, where I can hold it with the fingertips. It just is way more comfortable and I'm way quicker.

As much as I want to like it, I just don't.
Do you guys actually like those flimsy handles and the thick heavy blade?

I'm thinking of making a handle myself, which is a bit heavier and doesn't open further than 180 degrees.
 
ive never used a straight razor but i allways wanted to try one. im afraid all ive ever used are the sissy buy in the store type.
 
How often do you have to sharpen/strop that SAK?

Is the retention OK? and how close a shave do you manage? Probably the SAK feel easy to use and precise and a Cut Throat razor rather unwieldy/clumsy.

Time to try DE?:D:thumbup:
 
I like my straights.

Have you ever seen a japanese style straight? Called a kamisori or something like that, sounds like something that would fit your shaving style well.
 
Balance is key for me. I bought a Polish Wapi (inexpensive but very good blade) that came with stainless scales. Looked OK but the scales threw the thing way out of balance and was a real pain to shave with. I made some new scales out of plastic and put them on and it's a million times better. In addition to balance, the scales should not be floppy at all. They should have a tight fit too the blade. Floppy scales will cause some handling problems. The last thing you need to have happen is for you to lose your purchase on the blade. This is how nasty cuts happen. I have had a few new razors that were rather loose and all I had to do was to give the pivot pin a couple taps with a hammer and it firmed up nicely.
 
What size razor did you get? Straights come in different sizes from 3/8"-7/8". Most users find a 5/8" very good for their needs.
 
I like the handle, but keep in mind with most grips you are not really holding the handle at all, but the tang of the razor. The handle is there more to counterbalance the blade and store it when not in use. Either way, whatever works for you is probably the best way to do it - if it ain't broke don't fix it.
 
It is a zwilling 6/8''

I like the size of it and the blade is nice, but I guess I will make my own handle. Some nice wood would look much better anyway :).
I have the feeling that when the handle is a bit heavier and can't open further than a normal knife (and stays there) I will love it.

As far as the edge retention on the SAK goes, I was pretty surprised. I only strop it before every use and occasionally on a loaded belt, but it never needed a major resharpening.

And those japanese razors look amazing. This forum will ruin me if you guys keep showing me stuff like that :D
 
larger razors are not recommended for a first str8. But you have the technique down with your SAK. Sorry to hear you don't like it after a couple of months. Try picking up an old cheapo 2nd hand and fix the edge, shouldn't take that long and you can give it another try with another size.
If that's not working: get yourself a nice new SAK :)
 
You're actually SUPPOSED to open the handle over 180 degrees when you use a straight razor. Check out some videos on YouTube and see if you're using it correctly.
 
THG said:
You're actually SUPPOSED to open the handle over 180 degrees when you use a straight razor. Check out some videos on YouTube and see if you're using it correctly.
Click to expand...

I know that, but it doesn't change the fact that it still feels awkward and unbalanced to me (probably because I'm used to the other way of holding it).
I hope I'll have time this weekend for my little project (maybe I'll make some pictures).
 
So I had some time and made a new handle.

Here are some pictures:
The wood isn't treated yet, just finished it with sandpaper.
razor1.jpg


It doesn't open further than this.
razor2.jpg


Here you can see the stop pin, which acts in both ways, for opening and closing.
I also had to make tapered brass washers, because the blade itself is tapered. I glued them onto the blade, so now it doesn't deform the handle when opening/closing. (Is this common with razors, that the blade is tapered and deforms the handle?)
razor3.jpg


And this is the old handle. Thin flexible plastic, and the pin that holds the blade is way too thin for the hole in the blade.
razor4.jpg


I tried it already, and I like it much better. The new handle is a bit heavier and much more solid, so the balance is better. And I can tighten the pivot to my liking, so the handle doesn't move while shaving.

I believe I can retire my SAK now :)
 
I personally don't understand how you could stand using it without opening the handle more, but as long as it's working for you, that's all that matters. Nice looking handle!
 
it's a matter of preference. personally. having a slightly heavy handle helps me to keep my hand steady. i haven't tried improvising with a SAK blade, but anythings possible. what ever feels more comfortable to you. my straight razor isn't anything fancy. but i like the look of it, the blade length, and materials. carbon blade, stainless steel handle. flipping it in different ways helps. ultimately i'd like to give those japanese feather razors a shot.
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