I simply adore scallops! Preferably lightly fried with a squirt of lemon, though wrapped in bacon they're a particularly sinful pleasure! But what do scalloped safety bars really do for a DE razor? I'm at a loss to understand any benefit whatsoever.
Prevent the bar from acting like a squeegee and removing all lubrication from your face at a single pass.
Depends on all of the involved variables: scallop depth & spacing, water quality (soft, hard), soap quality. The slicker the lather, the less difference it will make. The more defined the bar cuts, you can pass with less than ideal soap. As with any other "refined" design modification, the average user may or may not notice a real difference, and in mass marketing, you want mass appeal.Are they really deep enough to actually do that?
I sense an opportunity for a blind test here.
... I rate the classic Gillette's as non-existant and the classic Merkur 37 as "standard", with most others' offerings falling in between.
Scallops are safety bars (solid) that want to be open combs... Closed combs are more committed to the cause.
That's a nice example of a Granton edged knife. Those aren't scallops they are dimples and they are used to prevent food from sticking to the knife. i don't think many people use this type of knife to shave with
I believe those scallops are to break/prevent suction to the blade when cutting.
Not too awful modern, ala Kirby Beard.I believe those scallops are to break/prevent suction to the blade when cutting.
Wait, I thought:More solid bars tend to be on razors where cap-riding is recommended, more open, scalloped, bars on those with a shallower angle- but not always (e.g., Famex, Le Coq caged comb).
Depends on where you start measuring your angles... But yesWait, I thought:
riding the cap = shallow angle
riding the bar = steep angle
I found an improvement using the Merkur 33C when I started using a steeper angle -- I now ride the scalloped bar.
Yes, that's the generally accepted definition on B&B.Depends on where you start measuring your angles... But yes
Steep = bar riding, handle parallel to skin.
Shallow = cap riding, handle more at an angle away from skin
Neutral = something in between both extremes.