Ok, heres a daft one.

[taffy]

Scales, there to protect the blade, add some balance and make it look darn pretty, BUT, could you have a safe and comfortable shave if the scales were taken off the razor. I know one of our highly skilled members here turns a few gd's into a japenese style straight, but as i see it, the blade is honed to shave, but to me it would seem a bit akward to hold, anyone here tried it?

 

[Obiwan]

see Robert Williams Purist

http://customstraightrazors.com/wordpress/welcome/introducing-purist/

Plenty do it. My guess is it just takes a litle while to get used to the right grip.

 

[Brent]

Are you asking if anyone has taken te scales off of a western style straight and shaved it with no modifications or extention of the shank?

If so, I would think it's possible. If you think of it you're not holding the scales in a traditional grip. The balance may be difficult but I imagine it could be done.

 

[eastomjac]

hmm...ive got a restore to do.i wonder how it would go if i put a japanese style handle on it?ill post pics when done.im off to try,ive got some osage orange that mite look pretty.

 

[Price]

The Purist, though, is built specifically for that purpose. The extended tang serves as the balance. I can't see just hacking the scales off a razor and shaving with it. Looking at a bare blade I'm restoring right now, I cannot imagine a possible grip that would allow you to shave your face without shredding it to ribbons. Maybe it is possible, I just can't picture it.

 

[mdunn]

You could, but i think it would be very toe heavy and pretty tricky to do

 

[Brent]

I guess you'd learn really quick how important the counter balance of the scales is to the shave. Probably take it for granted.

 

[PapaFish]

I have a shortened blade it has no scales. I use it from time to time, and, go slightly awkward it does work fine.

 

[taffy]

Thanks guys, it was one of those things that crossed my mind while I was rescaling a hamburg ring the other week. I did not try it, but it got me thinking.