Evolution of Design

[Twelvefret]

I have a PAL Adjustable stainless coming and have also been keeping an eye out for a Schick O or a clone. In general, longer handles began in the 1960's and later for SE and Gillette DE designs. While there were longer handles in the 1930's like the Conrads, most handles were short. Also, the advent of the cartridge type usually came with longer handles. Does anyone know why longer handles came to be preferred or did the designers just begin to make them longer?

I found this resource when considering the PAL Adjustable, My Vintage Razor Notebook ②: The Story of the PAL ADJUSTABLE INJECTOR｜七篠 砦 , this leads me to think I can forgo the Schick model O.

Since @chazt sent me his Super Adjustable 109, I am loving he longer handle.

What evolutions have you observed over the years? I thought this might be a good topic to discuss.

 

[chazt]

Good topic of conversation @Twelvefret.

Razor makers seem to have embraced using alternative metals, and even plastics. In that regard, one thing that stands out to me is the nearly full circle modern razor designs have come in terms of weight. A dozen years ago new artisan razors were on a race to become the first Nine Pound Hammer in shavedom. That phenomenon is on the reverse now. I see in general, razors are now back to more arthritis friendly weights.

 

[Twelvefret]

Good topic of conversation @Twelvefret.

Razor makers seem to have embraced using alternative metals, and even plastics. In that regard, one thing that stands out to me is the nearly full circle modern razor designs have come in terms of weight. A dozen years ago new artisan razors were on a race to become the first Nine Pound Hammer in shavedom. That phenomenon is on the reverse now. I see in general, razors are now back to more arthritis friendly weights.

Well, Pot metal, is light...LOL!!

Seriously, good observation that I had not considered.

Someone mentioned the other day that razors are more mild, has that been your experience?

 

[chazt]

Well, Pot metal, is light...LOL!!

Seriously, good observation that I had not considered.

Someone mentioned the other day that razors are more mild, has that been your experience?

Hmmm… not necessarily. The options available today are a thousand fold greater than during the first golden age. You can buy a modern razor as mild as a Tech or as efficient as a MMOC. Or anything in between! In that regard, I think the concept of the adjustable razor is a high point of engineering. Mild to Wild as my friend Phil likes to say.

Looking now at my small collection of modern razors, and they do seem to hold to that descriptor. I’ll take a group shot after today’s shave and will follow up with my thoughts on each razor. I know there are guys here with much vaster collections who are way more knowledgeable. Looking forward to others’ insights .