Thread: New SR has shorter handle than my first, fingers get in the way. Help?

I have two straights, my new one has a short handle, meaning the place I put my fingers to where the blade begins is short, so my fingers are right up against the beginning of the blade making it difficult to see what I'm doing. My other straight had a much longer handle part, making using it and seeing what I'm doing a lot easier. I didn't even know this was a thing to look into, as it doesn't seem measured anywhere.

Does anyone else know what I'm talking about and can assist in want to look for when buying online or if this is possible to fix on the razor?

New SR with short handle
https://imgur.com/a/Fabr2

Other SR with longer handle
https://imgur.com/a/HUPD4

Are you saying the pivot hole is to close to the heel?

I assume you mean the tang, which is the area between the blade and the pivot pin.

It is impractical to "fix" it, as that would require drilling a new pivot hone in hardened steel. I would suggest that you just watch for razors that appear to have longer tangs. Alternatively, learn a way to adjust your grip to accommodate the shorter tang.

Only way to fix it is to nibble material out of the scales, or try to drill a second pivot hole through an area with little if any material to spare through hardened steel. You don't want to drill through hardened steel. You'd have an easier time pulling teeth from a live bear without anesthesia. And you probably don't want to screw up your scales either.

So that pretty much leaves adjusting your grip.

Originally Posted by Marshal

Only way to fix it is to nibble material out of the scales, or try to drill a second pivot hole through an area with little if any material to spare through hardened steel. You don't want to drill through hardened steel. You'd have an easier time pulling teeth from a live bear without anesthesia. And you probably don't want to screw up your scales either.

So that pretty much leaves adjusting your grip.

Ahhh thank you very much! Does my razor in question tang seem unusually short or was my first razors tang just longer than usual?

Hold one finger not two....

Or play with how you hold it.

I think that that picture is for a barber that is not shaving himself.

I hold my scales straight from the blade.

Originally Posted by 32t

Hold one finger not two....

Or play with how you hold it.

I think that that picture is for a barber that is not shaving himself.



I hold my scales straight from the blade.

I use the one finger grip for some passes and it is quite comfy, doesn't seem to take much time to adjust to. Of course, I'm just a noob, so what do I know?

Unlike the illustration, I hold the tang between my thumb and forefinger and rest my middle finger on the tail. The distance between the scales and shoulder of the blade does seem vary a bit on different razors.

Bob

The traditional grip is to have the first two fingers plus the thumb on the shank and one finger on the tail. The scales are often held at a right angle to the blade. However, it is not necessary to hold it that way.

You did not mention if you are trying to shave with one hand or both hands. Many newcomers try shaving with their dominant hand only as they do not feel comfortable shaving with both; I know I started that way. Once you get comfortable shaving with either hand, it is much easier to see.

If you use the traditional grip, as you shave some portions of your face, the scales will block your view. If that happens, simply alter the position of the scales. Sometimes, I shave with the scales pointing straight out from the blade (Japanese Kamisori style). I do not like doing that with a 5/8" razor as I have difficulty judging the blade angle against my face, but it works well with larger blades.

Originally Posted by RayClem

The traditional grip is to have the first two fingers plus the thumb on the shank and one finger on the tail. The scales are often held at a right angle to the blade. However, it is not necessary to hold it that way.

You did not mention if you are trying to shave with one hand or both hands. Many newcomers try shaving with their dominant hand only as they do not feel comfortable shaving with both; I know I started that way. Once you get comfortable shaving with either hand, it is much easier to see.

If you use the traditional grip, as you shave some portions of your face, the scales will block your view. If that happens, simply alter the position of the scales. Sometimes, I shave with the scales pointing straight out from the blade (Japanese Kamisori style). I do not like doing that with a 5/8" razor as I have difficulty judging the blade angle against my face, but it works well with larger blades.

Thanks for the tips. I use both hands when shaving. And the weird part is, it's my fingers that are blocking my view , not the scales , due to how close they are to the shoulder (beginning) of the blade.

It sounds like it's just a technique issue on my end rather than the razor have too short a tang, is that what you are getting from the pictures posted?

Edit: I'll take some measurements tonight