Razor Handles

My wet shaving journey has included forays into collecting at times. For awhile I had a couple dozen NOS Gillette razors, but I finally realized that I didn't really enjoy just looking at the items and not using them, and I had tried various Gillette razors and was not really enamored of them, so I sold my collection. Then I gathered a number of Somerset Simpson brushes, including rare ones such as original Chubby Manchurians; but I recognized eventually that I just did not like to shave with them as much as my Rooney Finests, so I sold off the old Simpsons. Currently my vintage collecting is limited to shaving soaps, creams, and matching aftershaves, such as old Floris, Penhaligon's, and Crabtree & Evelyn; Wilkinson Light Brigade blades; and the Rooney brushes. However, I have become intrigued by modern artisan razor handles to pair with the Feather AS-D2 heads that give me consistently great shaves. I have tried a lot of different handles over the past few years, finally settling mainly on UFOs, Storks, and Triads. So here are some images of my current stock.

First, the UFOs, slightly heavy for me but whose artistry I really admire.


Next are the Storks, mostly lightweight titanium and very comfortable to use as well as being quite attractive.


And finally the handles that are pretty much my favorites, the Triads, in a wide variety of materials and designs that delight my hand and eye.


I combine all of these handles with a stock satin stainless Feather head and one coated in black chrome and nickel at Delta Echo (displayed along with its matching handle). (I also have an ink black Feather head coming soon from DE and not shown in the image.)


So with the exception of the pending ink black head, here is the collection that I rotate through during each month, essentially enjoying a different and unique razor every day.

Beautiful collection, John!

Beautiful collection, John!

Thanks, Celestino. I really enjoy them.

Wow John, what a collection, they are really nice. I didn't even know they made all those types of handles. I really like that Triad third from the left in the bottom row. So I'm guessing the Feather DE is your razor of choice?

OG

Holy cow, John, just beautiful! What a collection! Thanks for sharing!

So I'm guessing the Feather DE is your razor of choice?

OG

Yes, I have tried a wide variety of razors, including vintage Gilletes and Kronas and modern models from Jagger, Merkur, Weber, iKon, Standard, Parker, Tradere, Blackbird, and Muhle, as well as old and new single edge razors; and for my skin, beard, and style of shaving, the AS-D2 is my Goldilocks razor - just exactly right, especially when coated by Jay at Delta Echo.

Nice collection, especially the AS-D2 head. I haven't ever tried a different handle on mine since it feels perfect as is, but might try one out now.

Personally, I have tried so many handles that do'n really suit me. I am still looking for something close to my aluminum Razorock handle. The bronze UFO was WAY too big and heavy for me to comfortably enjoy my shave.

I think it is really cool that you can get quality and consistent shaves while rotating between all the different handles. I mean heck, you have a big variety to choose from there.

Do you have a preference in grip or knurling designs when it comes to feel and hold/control?

Personally, I have tried so many handles that do'n really suit me. I am still looking for something close to my aluminum Razorock handle. The bronze UFO was WAY too big and heavy for me to comfortably enjoy my shave.

I think it is really cool that you can get quality and consistent shaves while rotating between all the different handles. I mean heck, you have a big variety to choose from there.

Do you have a preference in grip or knurling designs when it comes to feel and hold/control?

I don't really have a preference, since I have selected nearly all of them because their shapes/angles and their knurling or grooves allow me to have a firm grip even when they are wet. I have learned to purposely try to stay away from handles that are too smooth and rounded. This is important to me because I am gradually - but very slowly to this point, fortunately - losing the strength in my dominant arm and hand. The exception to this rule is the Triad Copper Rolling Hexagon that is second from the left in the bottom row in the Triad group picture; although it does not feel as stable, I have been unable to part with it because of its uniqueness. I do find that the very light weight of the Stork razors makes them the easiest for me to control, but the relatively light weight of the Feather heads makes even the heavier handles manageable (although I haven't yet tried the UFO Grand Titan L, in the center of the UFO group picture - it is on my schedule for use tomorrow morning).

Awesome collection!! I just ordered a Stork Diplomat and Consul yesterday.