Straight razors

From ShaveWiki

Straight razors consist of a blade and a pair of handles called scales. The whole is usually held together by a pin. The blade is made from a type of carbon or stainless steel treated in various ways depending on the manufacturer (and model). The scales can be made from a wide variety of materials. The most common are celluloid (and similar), wood and horn. Other materials will work as well, such as metal, but scales that are too heavy or too light relative to the weight of the blade will result in a bad balance and a more difficult shave.

Anatomy of a Straight Razor

Maintainance

Straight razors need to be honed on a regular basis in order to retain/restore their sharpness. One of the most used tests to see if a razor has an edge that is suitable for shaving is the "Hanging Hair Test" (or HHT). However, it has been debated that the only true way to test if a razor is ready for shaving, is to shave with it.

History of Straight Razors

See also

Category:Brands of Straight Razors - A listing of brands selling straight razors.

Category:Restoration

External links

Wikipedia's Straight Razor article