Russian Straight Razor Thread

Don't count on any NOS razor being shave ready, after only a little stropping. Especially a Russian Razor. Two of mine were NOS, and one would have had a hard time cutting butter, after being heated. After some stone work, they are fantastic razors.

 

I can tell very interesting fact, as say many people - best ready to shaving among Russian razors are medical razors which were supplied to mobile military hospitals and were in reserve long time during Cold War. These razors had good geometry and were sharpened by ZTV factory because their blade have to be ready for use right after opening. Only one problem - more weight than regular one because of metal scales.

 

It looks like the blade may be wider than the typical 5/8 - do you know what it is?

 

That Looks All Stainless Steel Construction like a Lot of WW11 Surgical SRs..These Surgical SRs are Purported to be Lovely Shavers..

Billy..

 

I have a Polish version of this, made for Soviet use. How do the Russian ones compare?

 

Give it a go. I would probably strop it first.
I have a French one with stainless handle, and they give a Very nice shave.

 

I never see Polish medical razor on our market, maybe they supplied small quantity to USSR, but I doubt that it was using for military hospitals. As I know, If compare average Russian and Polish razors made after WWII, Soviet are better for sure

 

Yes, this is 6/8 "

 

In last year I had this type of razor couple times...
Here what actually wrote guy, who use similar one on Russian forum:
"Just removed the grease, no strop, and made "hair-test" - result was perfect. Used four months for shave without special sharpening, strop before shaving by clean belt - and no complaints about the sharpness"

 

This one was made in Poland for Soviet hospitals to use for surgery prep. Stainless handle so it can be autoclaved. Called a Wapiencia (Wapi) by most. When I cleaned off the grease and used it, it wasn't shave ready. A lot of them were available as Mee Old Stock a few years ago. Most people say the steel is medium hard, and there have been people who have honed away the part that was heat treated, and gotten to metal that wouldn't hold an edge. It does sound like the Soviet version is better.

 

That would be great. Although I've not heard of any. It wouldn't surprise me, because medical razors should be shave ready. I still am liking my Russian blades.

 

Here is quote from description of surgical razor in Russian medical textbook:

" The special features of this tool include:
- relatively large angle of sharpening;
- in comparison with conventional razors medical razor has several worse cutting properties, but keeping sharpness longer;
....."

 

The bevel on this razor sounds like it was better suited for amputation rather than shaving

 

Actually you're right, further this textbook says:
"....sterilisable thermally with a metal handle. The razor is typically used to cut nerve endings after limb amputation..."

 

Billy..

 

Sounds like it was designed for amputation work, not shaving. I think I would only go for a NOS, not a used one. The thought of what a used one might have gone through just sounds creepy. Kind of like getting a razor that was used for prepping corpses.

 

Would be just right for the halloween shave

 

Not any worse than a Sweeney Todd razor

 

Previously, I saw medical razors in NOS condition on market pretty often, but this year I have not seen any...

 

A long delayed shipment of some fine Russkies has just made it to the US clearing PO after being stuck in the Ukraine for nearly 6 weeks. @Redfisher - any update on your status?