I just purchased a Heljestrand MK23. Does anyone know the significance of the various model number designations used by Heljestrand or the significance of the "MK"?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Heljestrand straight razors
- Thread starter Golden Eagle Warrior
- Start date
I've been trying to figure that out myself. best thing to do is measure the blade width, length, in millimeters, and send them to me. Also include what kind of grind it is. I am compiling a list of as many measurements as possible. Generally speaking, the numbers seem to indicated different grinds and widths. The 3X are full hollow blades, 31= 5/8, 32= 6/8, etc... roughly speaking. that's why millimeters are better.
About the MK, I think it indicates a store in France, M Kindal, but I can't be sure of it. I hypothesize that Heljestrand and Kindal forged (hah, get it) a deal with one another, probably to allow the fine-fine swedish steel to compete with the great-in-their-own-regard french blades. The shop still stands, and they sell knives.
take pics!
About the MK, I think it indicates a store in France, M Kindal, but I can't be sure of it. I hypothesize that Heljestrand and Kindal forged (hah, get it) a deal with one another, probably to allow the fine-fine swedish steel to compete with the great-in-their-own-regard french blades. The shop still stands, and they sell knives.
take pics!
I don't know what MK means, but I sure do like the blades. Bassguy's explanation is as good a one as I have heard. Post pics and, more importantly, shave with it! 32s are great (as are 31s and 33s 
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MK I always assumed meant Mark, as in version, like the Brits use on military equipment.
- Thread starter
- #5
That's great, thanks! I will take some measurements and pictures. I did try to make some measurements of the width of the blade already, and I thought it was about 11/16. I was not quite sure how to measure accurately, however, to account for the curve of the blade around the top of the spine. I will just lay it on a flat surface and measure from the edge to where the top of the spine would fall on that plane -- in millimeters.
The mk 29, 39, 31, and 32 have been very consistent among all the ones I've had and have. The others like mk 24 seem to have a lot of variations in the width, but the grind appears to be the same. Not as bad as Dovo's labeling though where a razor with the same stamp could be anywhere between 4/8 to 8/8.
- Thread starter
- #7
Here are some pictures. To the best of my abilities -- apparently my eyes can't focus on millimeters as well as they used to -- the width of the blade is 17mm and the length of the blade from the shoulder to the tip is 72mm.
