Simple Question on Razor Anatomy

**JeffM** · 06-22-2012, 06:59 PM

i purchased one modified GD razor about 2 years ago and just ordered one from the bay to play with. My question -Is the stabilizer and the shoulder of a straight razor the same thing?

**cb91710** · 06-22-2012, 08:17 PM

Not exactly.

The shoulder may function as a stabilizer, but some blades have a secondary "rib" next to the shoulder that is an actual stabilizer.

The shoulder itself is the area where the blade transitions into the tang.
On a traditional blade, there is a slight "lip" at this point.

Blades that are often referred to as "shoulderless" are not exactly "shoulderless"... but they have a smooth transition from the blade into the tang.

This is commoly referred to as "shoulderless":

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This blade has a stabilizer:

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This one has a well-defined shoulder that functions as a stabilizer:

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"Shoulderless" is easiest to hone.
From the perspective of shaving and stropping, it makes no difference.

**Greybeard** · 06-22-2012, 09:03 PM

Pictures courtesy of Revisor's site.

Shoulderless.

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Shoulderless with stabilizer.

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Shoulder, no stabilizer.

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Shoulder, single stabilizer.

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Shoulder, double stabilizer.

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**cb91710** · 06-22-2012, 10:33 PM

Perfect

Excellent shots

**Doc226** · 06-23-2012, 03:19 AM

Very nice pics gentlemen, they are worth a thousand words.

**GreekGuy** · 06-23-2012, 03:34 AM

Brilliant post Peter

**JeffM** · 06-23-2012, 10:40 AM

Thanks, guys!

**ladykate** · 06-23-2012, 04:12 PM

Very nice and informative shots.

FWIW: I just did a batch of razors that had been in the wild for a while. Several blades were honed to the point the shoulder extended beyond the blade. A real PITA to clean up. Most of us grouse about the GD stabilizers being in the way. These were name brand and they were definitely in need of trimming.