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Well, I was hoping not to have to enumerate these, but...

They're huge, for one, with long (sometimes thin) shanks. The scales are heavy, and I didn't find the balance to be nearly as good as Robert's similarly ginormous raozrs. On one, the angle was 24 degrees which is on the upper limits of what will even get sharp enough to shave with. In short: unbelievably beautiful, but cumbersome to shave, strop, and hone (IME)
 
BeBerlin said:
Although you haven't answered the question how you came to draw a generalisation from a review of a custom (ie unique) product, let me expand on what Paul said.
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Well, I just didn't feel like it was necessary. But since you have continued interest, my original comment was simply this:

While you have convinced me that a 'clam' may actually go out (from RW) on occasion, I'm not sure that that's necessarily representative of the broader body of his work.
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The short answer is that there was neither a stated nor an implied generalization drawn. How else can I say it? You wrote a review expressing your 'bitter disappointment' of one particular RW custom razor. Fair enough. After reading your review, my immediate thought was that one razor described as being substandard probably does not reflect on the whole of his work - whether custom or other otherwise. That's my observation and I stated it. I don't think it unreasonable. Very sorry if you read anything more into it.
 
deighaingeal said:
Wow this thread is moving fast.
@ Ralphy: I thank you sir for everything, but mostly for guiding me to this sanctuary. And I in no way blame you for helping me encounter Dennis.
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You are forever welcome G, and I am not to blame in anyway for Denny hahahaha
 
For future reference (and because I seem to be developing early onset dementia), here is a nice write-up by our very own Paul on the subject that I find well worth reading: http://cutthroat.templeofhate.com/blog/richmondesi/2010/10/01/200-custom-razors
 
I was just thinking that for the price of a custom, you could have several high-end non-custom razors. Heck, the 8/8" Revisor is "only" about 190 EUR. And it's purdy as well !
 
And they will come with a German warranty... Always worth checking their "rarity of the week", too. These are NOS razors, not "near NOS", or "just honed it once, honest - otherwise NOS!!!" razors. And if you compare the prices to what is charged in the big forums (where you do not have a full vendor's warranty), well...
 
I was trying to say, without saying, that I'll likely never own another custom razor that I don't make myself... For the money, there are some excellent performing razors out there.
 
I have been leaning towards Bob Allman. I agree that he is an underrated maker, his price fits my budget, his list isn't terribly long and he is an extremely amiable person.
The reason I have been thinking of a custom is that I haven't seen a razor with my specs: spanish point, thumb notch, deep jimps, heft, hollow, standard tail, simple scales. I wanted something that would grip my hand when I used it. I like the control I get with spikes, have never tried a spanish point but would assume the control to be equivalent or greater. I figured that if I wanted fancy scales that I could make them, also Bob said he would be willing to ship me an unscaled blade.
 
Don't get me wrong, I think they're all great, talented makers, and I think you're going to love working with Bob. I've not met many guys more amiable, hospitable, or gracious than him. I'm just saying, I'll most likely buy production razors in the future. The other consideration is that they are such works of art that I find myself rarely using them anyway. So, I'd rather buy something that I'll be more inclined to use all the time that's beautiful and has exceptional functionality.

I'm in no way trying to persuade you to do anything either way. I'm just offering some things to consider from my experiences. I want you to get exactly what you want. :)
 
richmondesi said:
Don't get me wrong, I think they're all great, talented makers, and I think you're going to love working with Bob. I've not met many guys more amiable, hospitable, or gracious than him. I'm just saying, I'll most likely buy production razors in the future. The other consideration is that they are such works of art that I find myself rarely using them anyway. So, I'd rather buy something that I'll be more inclined to use all the time that's beautiful and has exceptional functionality.

I'm in no way trying to persuade you to do anything either way. I'm just offering some things to consider from my experiences. I want you to get exactly what you want. :)
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I understand where you are coming from. I don't allow any one opinion to completely persuade me, but rather take every idea into consideration. I guess I have been looking for something that doesn't exist en masse. I have always thought of modification, but have not been able to bring myself to modify any of my vintage razors. I have just been looking actively for about a year for these specs and have not found them.
Mind you I am a guy who drove a custom chevelle as a daily driver and fishes heavily with custom rods. I feel that these items are made to be used. If I found a revisor or wacker that fit the bill then I would use them. Maybe I should post an ISO thread in the marketplace or other sites.
My biggest issue with this venture is that I am assuming that I would like these specs before I try them. I have never tried a spanish point, thumb notch or the really heavy jimps; but can see the advantages of such aspects. I have a couple of razors that I rather like which I can see being improved upon by the addition of these aspects. I especially find the heavier blades with smooth tangs to be difficult to hold. One W&B in particular has the top domed and it tries to rotate in my fingers.
I am sure that I will venture into these NOS blades, but as of yet I was given the opportunity to get a custom and do not see this situation happening again in the near future. As for my personal funds I have started looking into these blades as a result of this thread and I can see a few that I will most likely try in the near future.
 
Good luck figuring out what custom razor you are after.

I am curious. Do any of you have experience with Frank Warner razors? I have only seen a little bit about his work.
 
deighaingeal said:
My biggest issue with this venture is that I am assuming that I would like these specs before I try them. I have never tried a spanish point, thumb notch or the really heavy jimps; but can see the advantages of such aspects. I have a couple of razors that I rather like which I can see being improved upon by the addition of these aspects. I especially find the heavier blades with smooth tangs to be difficult to hold. One W&B in particular has the top domed and it tries to rotate in my fingers.
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In that case, beware of thumb notches. While some work perfect in my hands, I've experienced more razors with a thumb notch that were not as ergonomically, especially for stropping the blade. I do like the looks, though. If I were ever ordering a custom made razor (which is unlikely), I would definitely provide the maker an example of the kind of thumb notch that fits my fingers, and I would absolutely insist on a well balanced razor.

Kind regards,
Bart.
 
Bart said:
In that case, beware of thumb notches. While some work perfect in my hands, I've experienced more razors with a thumb notch that were not as ergonomically, especially for stropping the blade. I do like the looks, though. If I were ever ordering a custom made razor (which is unlikely), I would definitely provide the maker an example of the kind of thumb notch that fits my fingers(...)
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Hmmmm... So what exactly is a thumb notch used for? SRP Wiki gives rather insignificant possible reasons, and it seems that it's more important to you, Bart.

regards,
Matt
 
Matt said:
Hmmmm... So what exactly is a thumb notch used for? SRP Wiki gives rather insignificant possible reasons, and it seems that it's more important to you, Bart.

regards,
Matt
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I think what you are refering to are the so called barber's notch and what bart is refering to is a thumb noch in de tang of the razor

regards
Stijn
 
Mhmm, exactly, I posted that one faster than I thought. Indeed, I have such one or two razors, this feature quite appealed to me, yet I found stropping them demanding indeed.

Matt
 
Thanks everyone.
Bart, could you show me expamples of thumb notches that work and those that don't. I understand that each person is different, but this would give me an idea. Also if you could specify why they either did or didn't work for you? Also does the thumb notch cause problems with different grips?
Could anyone give me an idea regarding the spanish point? Whether or not it really allows for better control (my thought), whether or not I would be apt to bury the tip when I tried to do fine work; any thoughts would be helpful.
Also any thoughts regarding tail length. I don't like most of these newer super tails, I can see them getting in the way. I know which of mine I like, but seem to be unable to vocalize any reasons or order.
 
deighaingeal said:
Thanks everyone.
Bart, could you show me expamples of thumb notches that work and those that don't. I understand that each person is different, but this would give me an idea. Also if you could specify why they either did or didn't work for you? Also does the thumb notch cause problems with different grips?
Could anyone give me an idea regarding the spanish point? Whether or not it really allows for better control (my thought), whether or not I would be apt to bury the tip when I tried to do fine work; any thoughts would be helpful.
Also any thoughts regarding tail length. I don't like most of these newer super tails, I can see them getting in the way. I know which of mine I like, but seem to be unable to vocalize any reasons or order.
Click to expand...
+1. You read my mind (and in great detail, no less - scary...). :blink:
 
Woodash said:
deighaingeal said:
Thanks everyone.
Bart, could you show me expamples of thumb notches that work and those that don't. I understand that each person is different, but this would give me an idea. Also if you could specify why they either did or didn't work for you? Also does the thumb notch cause problems with different grips?
Could anyone give me an idea regarding the spanish point? Whether or not it really allows for better control (my thought), whether or not I would be apt to bury the tip when I tried to do fine work; any thoughts would be helpful.
Also any thoughts regarding tail length. I don't like most of these newer super tails, I can see them getting in the way. I know which of mine I like, but seem to be unable to vocalize any reasons or order.
Click to expand...
+1. You read my mind (and in great detail, no less - scary...). :blink:
Click to expand...
No doubt, a quick read.:p
 
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