Comment on Wednesday SOTD Thread - October 9th, 2024 (#486)
gcgallant@sub.wetshaving.social 2 months agoThis modern 14 is really on par with the Fili, Frio, and Henckels originals
I think it is all about geometry. I measured the bevel angle on the Gen 1 Fili, River Razors 14, Koraat 14-2.0, and Frio 14. All razors have bevel angles at ~15.5 degrees. I have measured other hollow ground razors that I have and none, except my cherished MK 31 Söderfors Extra Specialstål, have bevel angles equal to or less than this. The “better shaving” razors are all close though.
djundjila@sub.wetshaving.social 2 months ago
that would make a lot of sense
Does that mean that it’s not a favourite?
gcgallant@sub.wetshaving.social 2 months ago
Sadly, yes. I’ve known for a long time that typical razor bevel angles fall between 15 and 20 degrees. I tinkered with this, myself, a couple of years ago. I reduced the spine width on my Gold Dollar to change the sharpened bevel angle from just over 20 degrees to 18 degrees. Took a long time. The feel of the razor improved considerably.
djundjila@sub.wetshaving.social 2 months ago
That’s a bummer.
I don’t want to imagine how much time and effort it took to whittle down the spine enough to make a meaningful change in bevel angle 😅 .
Btw, I now want to measure my 17. I have a feeling it may have a blunter angle than my other razors, but it still shaves great. I need to double check my assumptions here.
gcgallant@sub.wetshaving.social 2 months ago
Btw, I determine the bevel angle by just calculating the sharpening angle and doubling it. On all the razors I’ve seen, the sharpening angle falls well within the range where the small angle approximation for sine works. Typically, I just do the trig in my head.
Once I started paying attention to sharpening geometry, I started to realize why I like certain razors so much. I would be very interested in your experience on this as well. I’ve realized the ways in which I adapt to razors with wider bevel angles and this tips me off to actually measure them.