Jimps...those tiny grooves on the upper and/or lower side of the tang. Wonderful little invention. Kind of like traction grooves on the tang. Improves grip. I prefer my jimps on both sides, but at very least on the bottom. I have a few razors with no jimps and I realize I don't like those razors as much. When did manufacturers start adding jimps on straight razors? What's your preference regarding jimps?

I don’t know when jimps were first introduced, but I prefer a razor with jimps over those without. It’s not a dealbreaker for me, but if I’m on the fence, I’ll take the one with the jimps.

I prefer jimps, at least on the underside. It aides me in stropping. But, if it doest come with them, then so be it.

I have some with and some without. I prefer jimps, but would rather have a thumb notch.

Jimps we’re introduced August 27, 1902. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it

Be the bevel.

I prefer jimps top and bottom with a thumb notch but will use razors without these.

I don’t know that it really matters to me. I’ll pay attention for the next few shaves and see.

At the risk of the new guy using a very poor play on words...

And in the immortal words of Jay-Z... I am all about Big Jimpin’.

Too soon???

Jimps are great. Really an aid in the shave but especially while stropping. But quite a few of my old Sheffield straights don’t have them and they’re some of my favorite shavers.

I wonder, if you’re not a collector/purist/originalist, can jimps be added to a straight razor, and if so, who’d do that?

Gun checkering tools would be needed.

https://www.midwayusa.com/s?userSearchQuery=Checkering&userItemsPerPage=48

Interesting, @DaltonGang. I’ll have to read up on that.
Slainte!!

Given a choice, I'll take both jimps and thumb notch on a razor.
Not essential to getting a great shave from a razor, but I prefer with rather than without.

Jimps - an extra space to trap moisture and rust your shiny razor

I prefer jimps. If they are on both top and bottom, that's a plus.
However, I have a couple of heavy grind/near wedge razors with a fairly hefty shank that work just fine without them, so to me it depends on the size and weight of the blade whether it matters or not. YYMV, and probably will.