Background: I just started SR shaving the first of the year... strictly SR only. I have a Utica Red Point square point. I have a full beard and was thinking of going with a French point to make the beard lines easier to cut. Only time I have nicked myself has been going against the grain under my jaw line on the right side. Scales I was thinking ironwood/burl or dyed horn (hard to settle on the scale material when my blade design was flipped up side down looking at Jerrys works of art).
Before I get to the Artisan questions, does a French point the best option and would a smile edge help with the neck area? If so would the shave action be different or even stropping? Lastly I don't know the grind of my Red point so not sure what razor I should look at.
Jerry Stack razors- I have not seen much in the way of the grind he puts on the razors. But the finish products look amazing. I was thinking of a "Rugged with some refinement" look to my razor but Jerry has a few very clean designed blades that transition from the face to the spine seamlessly, a simple elegance and beautiful. So he had me rethinking the design. His French points are more rounded which not sure is a +/-.
Brain Brown Razors- These got some great reviews but the grind does have me a bit worries as they are belly hollow/ full hollow and from what I read has a bit of a challenge to the cutting angle. His French points end at a point but also his spike points are more well refined so not sure what would work better or if you gain more accuracy with this design compared to either of the other two companies French versions.
Portland Razors- I know they do Quarter-Hollow grinds and I do enjoy hearing a sound when I go to hit a whisker to two next to my nose to know I "got him". But I hear great things from their razors.
All in all I think I can push 400.00 (but my wife said 250 sounded like a lot but she watch me shave and sees why a different blade would be needed) so I have no grand over the top design I was going for other than a 6/8 or a 7/8 blade. But any recommendations you can give would be greatly appreciated with points, the smile edge, and grind which plays into the artisan I go with.
Before I get to the Artisan questions, does a French point the best option and would a smile edge help with the neck area? If so would the shave action be different or even stropping? Lastly I don't know the grind of my Red point so not sure what razor I should look at.
Jerry Stack razors- I have not seen much in the way of the grind he puts on the razors. But the finish products look amazing. I was thinking of a "Rugged with some refinement" look to my razor but Jerry has a few very clean designed blades that transition from the face to the spine seamlessly, a simple elegance and beautiful. So he had me rethinking the design. His French points are more rounded which not sure is a +/-.
Brain Brown Razors- These got some great reviews but the grind does have me a bit worries as they are belly hollow/ full hollow and from what I read has a bit of a challenge to the cutting angle. His French points end at a point but also his spike points are more well refined so not sure what would work better or if you gain more accuracy with this design compared to either of the other two companies French versions.
Portland Razors- I know they do Quarter-Hollow grinds and I do enjoy hearing a sound when I go to hit a whisker to two next to my nose to know I "got him". But I hear great things from their razors.
All in all I think I can push 400.00 (but my wife said 250 sounded like a lot but she watch me shave and sees why a different blade would be needed) so I have no grand over the top design I was going for other than a 6/8 or a 7/8 blade. But any recommendations you can give would be greatly appreciated with points, the smile edge, and grind which plays into the artisan I go with.