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Rigarazor

Jaco

Jaco

Member
One of my very first razors, and the only high-quality new razor I ever bought was a Rigarazor. It came up for sale on eBay, I liked the look of it and I bought it, not realising that it is a completely different grind than most modern razors.

When it arrived, I was somewhat intimidated by the size and weight of it. It is big, same size as a Fili14, and what I would describe as a quarter-hollow grind. It arrived with a wicked edge, and with me being inexperienced, it took a while for me to get a comfortable shave with it.

Made by Andrej in Latvia, it's a masterpiece with very accurate and crisp grinds and attention to detail. He still initially forges the blades from either Bohler steel or Tungsten steel, according to your preference and budget. I am not expert in metallurgy, but I suppose the Tungsten steel is much harder.

The razor has been in my rotation for five years now, and not having bought a razor in a long time, I felt it time to treat myself. I contacted him and explained what I wanted, and he was very responsive and quoted me a very sensible price. Knowing the quality of his work, I ordered what I wanted and are eagerly awaiting the result.

His razors sell on eBay as he makes them, it's clearly not mass produced, and he can be contacted if you want something different.

Here is a photo of the one I have, I will post photos of my new one when it arrives:

https://imgur.com/a/iqDJiz1
 
I'm so tempted by these... If he made them with even a slightly hollower grind, like a half hollow, I would not hesitate. His reputation for superb craftsmanship means that I may end up doing so anyway. :)
 
silverlifter said:
I'm so tempted by these... If he made them with even a slightly hollower grind, like a half hollow, I would not hesitate. His reputation for superb craftsmanship means that I may end up doing so anyway. :)
Click to expand...
Yeah my preference is also towards very thin grinds, Fili14's being my favourite, but I make an exception for these. Not a daily driver, more of an I-am-in-the-mood-for-something-different.
 
I have honed a few of these over the years and agree they are well finished and take a nice edge,
Most are in the 7/8" - 8/8" sizing and the quarter hollow is a standard grind.
Can not fault the workmanship, they are nicely made.
 
4N6IjG8.jpg

I got my Rigarazor a month or so back, but I became enamored of my new Nagura and have been playing with them to get the process down before using on any precious razors.
This came with a superb edge but I think I will give it a touch up soon. (Photo by vendor).
 
bernie01 said:
4N6IjG8.jpg

I got my Rigarazor a month or so back, but I became enamored of my new Nagura and have been playing with them to get the process down before using on any precious razors.
This came with a superb edge but I think I will give it a touch up soon. (Photo by vendor).
Click to expand...
You probably know, but Andrej hones with a taped spine. If I understand correctly, this razor have been honed with two layers of electrical tape on the spine.
 
I received my razor about 10 days ago.

First impressions: Absolutely beautiful with attention to detail. The grinds are perfect and crisp, and the finish is perfect. Even with my reading glasses on I could not find the smallest imperfection. Clearly made by a master of his craft.

As always I did a tree-topping test, and saw that it was not as sharp as my other razors, but the test will be in the shave.

I stropped for the usual 50 laps on clean leather for the first test-run. The shave was smooth, but I could feel some tugging on the more delicate areas under my nose. It is always difficult for me to judge the quality of a shave right after shaving, it normally feels the same. 6 Hours later, I was not as smooth as I would expect and I could feel some areas of stubble.

The day after I decided not to go back to the stones, just to strop on the diamond pasted balsa strops to see if there would be an improvement. Here is where the balsa police is going to give me a scolding, reason being that I knew the razor was honed with a taped spine. Theoretically the edge will not make contact with the balsa without taping the spine. Well I can confirm with confidence that it worked. I started on the .5 micron, then .25 micron, 50 laps each and finished on the .1 micron for about a hundred laps.

Stropped on clean leather for 100 laps and shaved. What a difference!

Perfect shave and 8 hours later I was still smooth with no visible stubble. Stroking my face, I could feel no patches that was missed in the shave, everything was even. To me that is a confirmation that all went well.

Since then I have shaved with the razor five more times, stropping after each shave only on the .1 micron as usual. Only getting better!

Impressions after living with it for a while:
Absolutely love it, it's a keeper. Think I should order one a year, just in time for Christmas. To dad, from dad :). There are not many of these razor around, and I think they will increase in value with time. Not that I will ever sell one.
The edge as received would be sharp enough for most, but I like it ridiculously sharp.
The French point demands attention and focus, but is very handy in the corners, and so far no nicks or scratches. To be honest, this razor is tamer and easier to control than my first Rigarazor. The first one has drawn blood on at least three occasions, catching my right ear lobe on the first stroke. The only reason I can think of is because of the smile, the point is closer to your ear on the first stroke than it feels on your face.
The only slightly negative comment is that stropping on leather, the blade feels a bit awkward, because of the hump on the spine. It takes some getting used to, and I have to slow down. I am weary of the point, worried that it may scratch up my strop, but so far, all good.
 
@Jaco, I had a similar experience with a taped blade going onto a diamond pasted balsa strop progression (without tape). My theory is that the the increase in bevel angle coursed by the tape is so minor that it is taken off by the 0.5μm (and possibly by the 0.25μm). By the time you get to the 0.1μm hanging, all is good.

I had similar concerns about a sharp pointy toe when I first started to strop with one. I was coming from Dutch points to a GD W59 Spanish point. It didn't take long before I realised that my fears were unfounded.
 
One of the most famous blade designs is by Wade &Butcher, and as such I have always been keeping an eye out for them. Needless to say the one to have is the 8/8ths "The Celebrated for barbers use".

When they come up for sale and is good condition, even if it's not in great condition, it's big money.

Having had only good experiences with Rigarazor, the thought occurred to me: Why not ask them to make me one, as it fits their style of grind?

Also I would like to have a go at making a good set of scales to match. I have made scales before, but my designs are more functional than pretty. I want to take my time and do something that suits the blade. Definitely from buffalo horn, definitely black with bullseye rivets. Maybe a slightly different shape from the traditional.

I am not in any hurry, and as I am due a visit to my son, living in Hervey Bay, I probably won't get started until sometime in June.

Wrote a few emails, made arrangements and this is what they came up with:

On it's way from Latvia!

https://imgur.com/a/4UBWmNK
 
Jaco said:
One of the most famous blade designs is by Wade &Butcher, and as such I have always been keeping an eye out for them. Needless to say the one to have is the 8/8ths "The Celebrated for barbers use".

When they come up for sale and is good condition, even if it's not in great condition, it's big money.

Having had only good experiences with Rigarazor, the thought occurred to me: Why not ask them to make me one, as it fits their style of grind?

Also I would like to have a go at making a good set of scales to match. I have made scales before, but my designs are more functional than pretty. I want to take my time and do something that suits the blade. Definitely from buffalo horn, definitely black with bullseye rivets. Maybe a slightly different shape from the traditional.

I am not in any hurry, and as I am due a visit to my son, living in Hervey Bay, I probably won't get started until sometime in June.

Wrote a few emails, made arrangements and this is what they came up with:

On it's way from Latvia!

https://imgur.com/a/4UBWmNK
Click to expand...
Very nice.
 
Jaco said:
One of the most famous blade designs is by Wade &Butcher, and as such I have always been keeping an eye out for them. Needless to say the one to have is the 8/8ths "The Celebrated for barbers use".

When they come up for sale and is good condition, even if it's not in great condition, it's big money.

Having had only good experiences with Rigarazor, the thought occurred to me: Why not ask them to make me one, as it fits their style of grind?

Also I would like to have a go at making a good set of scales to match. I have made scales before, but my designs are more functional than pretty. I want to take my time and do something that suits the blade. Definitely from buffalo horn, definitely black with bullseye rivets. Maybe a slightly different shape from the traditional.

I am not in any hurry, and as I am due a visit to my son, living in Hervey Bay, I probably won't get started until sometime in June.

Wrote a few emails, made arrangements and this is what they came up with:

On it's way from Latvia!

https://imgur.com/a/4UBWmNK
Click to expand...
I don’t know anything about straights but it does look good. If you are interested in a genuine buffalo horn scales, I have numerous pieces of buffalo horn that have had the solid tips used. Ample amount of horn for many scales. PM me if you would like one sent to Harvey Bay.
 
Errol said:
I don’t know anything about straights but it does look good. If you are interested in a genuine buffalo horn scales, I have numerous pieces of buffalo horn that have had the solid tips used. Ample amount of horn for many scales. PM me if you would like one sent to Harvey Bay.
Click to expand...
Thank you very much for your kind offer, but I am sorted.
I already have two flat buffalo horn scales 160 x 60 x 4mm that I picked up from eBay for £8. Should be easy enough to shape them. From previous experience working with natural materials I know it's going to be nasty (smelly), but the end result justifies the effort.
 
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