The super lightweight: the all-aluminum Weishi 2003-m, weighing in at about 21 grams. |
Another lightweight: the Lord LP1822L, with its 4"-long aluminum handle, weighing in at about 44 grams. |
Because a razor is more akin to a surgeons scalpel than a paint brush or paint scraper, it is best held with various fingertip grips, which I have always done without thinking -- even the multi-blade-cartridge razors. The various fingertip grips provide good razor control and feedback.
My current champion in the heavyweight division: the Maggard MR3B, tipping the scale at 93 grams. |
Therefore I find that a light grip tends to render handle length largely immaterial. The same seems to apply to handle diameter. I do, however, prefer a good texture on the handle; I really dislike smooth razor handles because I don't want to risk razor slippage in damp fingers!
Again, I acknowledge that some razor reviewers seem to really care about handle length, weight, and the resulting razor balance. But over the long haul, I've just gone back to the factory handles on my razors, and they are totally fine for me. My experience is that with a light finger-tip grip on the handle -- whatever its dimensions -- I have good control over razor direction and pressure against face no matter what the razor weight and balance.
A classic three-piece DE razor: the Merkur 33C, with its traditional narrow, three-inch handle and 57 grams of total weight. |
By the way, on the morning that I wrote this article, I did a 2-1/2-pass shave with my Merkur 33C, which has the classic, rather narrow, three-inch handle. The razor weighs in at 57 grams. All this makes it a rather small-handled, lighter-weight razor. Yet I got a comfortable shave with a smoothness that is very rewarding to the hand and eye.
Of course, opinions and experiences vary from person to person.
Feel free to share yours. Happy shaving!
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