What is a sculpture razor?

[R181]

A couple of points Bob. Firstly I’ve never seen a Feather type razor in any hair cutting shop - they tend to use the cheaper shavettes that take DE type blades. Regarding legislation - over here I’m not sure that legislation bans straight razors or requires a new blade after every use - certainly my old barber kept a shavette in barbicide for cleaning up the nape. I assume she ditched it at the end of the day. I imagine the ones offering a full shave change the blade after use.

The laws regarding the use of a traditional straight razor vary depending where you are. I believe for barbering here in Ontario the replaceable blade razors need the blade changed after every use. Barbicide is not considered effective against blood pathogens here. I believe that happened the same time AIDS became a major issue.

I go to barber shops to have my hair cut and also not seen a Feather Artist Club shavette used to do a hair cut but only facial shaving. My guess is that Hair dressers as opposed to barbers will use the less expensive replaceable blade razors rather than the Feather shavettes as they do the job and saves money. They are business people after all.

Bob

 

[Sukeroku]

I have a Tanifuji sculpture Kintaka razor.
It is quite narrow...about 3/8. I thinks it
is designed for detail work around beards
and mustaches.

 

[Zhang Doe]

I have a Tanifuji sculpture Kintaka razor.
It is quite narrow...about 3/8. I thinks it
is designed for detail work around beards
and mustaches.

Yes, I think most of these that I have seen are 3/8 ... I think. Still haven't totally figured out all the measurements. I think of the size more akin to a butter knife. The blade doesn't look as sexy as those I see listed as 5/8 and 6/8, but the razors are cheaper and the scales are really nice. Interesting to think that there are separate razors for detail work. I enjoy shaving but definitely wouldn't have a need for different razors for different purposes.

 

[R181]

Still haven't totally figured out all the measurements.

Blade size is measured in one of two ways. Either measure from the blade edge to the top of the spine or from the blade edge to where the blade contacts the hone. IIRC, the latter is the older more traditional way. The difference between the two ways of measuring the size is about 1/16 of an inch. Sizes are traditionally in eights of an inch, 3/8, 4/8, 5/8, 6/8 and so on. The most found/used sizes are probably 5/8 and 6/8 sizes.

Bob

 

[Zhang Doe]

Blade size is measured in one of two ways. Either measure from the blade edge to the top of the spine or from the blade edge to where the blade contacts the hone. IIRC, the latter is the older more traditional way. The difference between the two ways of measuring the size is about 1/16 of an inch. Sizes are traditionally in eights of an inch, 3/8, 4/8, 5/8, 6/8 and so on. The most found/used sizes are probably 5/8 and 6/8 sizes.

Bob

Thanks, Bob. The latter measurement isn't clear for me. Blade edge is the cutting edge. Isn't that the same part that touches the hone (stone when sharpening)?

 

[R181]

Thanks, Bob. The latter measurement isn't clear for me. Blade edge is the cutting edge. Isn't that the same part that touches the hone (stone when sharpening)?

I should have been more clear as there are 2 points of contact when honing a straight razor. Yes the edge is one of the blade parts that touches the hone and the other is the spot on the blade where the spine meets where the grind starts and shows hone wear.

Bob

 

[Rusty Blade]

The razor in the middle is a Dovo Sculptor. The other two are for comparison. The Ralph Aust is 6/8. I can only imagine the Dovo being used to fine trim beard edges or cut hair. It is so light in the hand. I prefer a razor with more heft.