How to tell the difference between a straight razor for shaving and hair trimming

[Jim1968]

I was looking at some straight razors in a antique store and I want to know the differences between one designed for shaving and hair trimming. Do hair trimmers have a comb attached or have a replaceable blades? I just don't want to spend money on something that will not work for shaving.

thanks

 

[alpster]

You can conceivably shave with any blade that is sharp enough to cut whiskers. Many guys use hair trimmers to shave so they can replace the blades and avoid honing, stropping, etc. (see SABRE thread). As to your question, the comb on a replaceable blade is a dead give away and most fixed blade straight razors meant for hair shaping have very narrow blades in the 3/8 to 4/8 neighborhood. I have a couple of 4/8s that shave very nicely and I am certain one of them was marketed for hair shaping.

 

[Jim1968]

Thanks, now it is less of an issue for me.