General thoughts on thick handles...

I'm looking seriously at upgrading my entry level Van Der Hagen butterfly and what I'm looking at is a Maggard MR8 / MR3.
I like the prospect of the heavier weight, but looking through folks' SOTD pics I don't really see that too awful many "fat" handles and just assume they aren't as popular. 
I know there's a considerable amount of personal preference involved, but is there any reason in particular that I should reconsider something thinner? How's your opinion on thicker grips?

Ben 74 has some UFOs that look nice and fat. I would wait for his insights. I am finding thicker handles and greater razor weight are more user friendly with older hands subject to arthritis ( thankfully not yet) or that suffer ( unthankfully) periodic intense cramping.

I am a fan of larger handles.

All that I own are 15+ mm.

Heavy as well for the most part.

It took me time to figure what I really liked.

But for me large is the way to go.

(07-02-2016, 07:05 PM)kav Wrote: I am finding thicker handles and greater razor weight are more user friendly with older hands subject to arthritis ( thankfully not yet) or that suffer ( unthankfully) periodic intense cramping.

I have cramping (I place a small cord around my handles tied to my wrist so I don't drop it) but I prefer light and not so thick handles, so many people, so many tastes.

viva la difference!

I prefer my handles to be 12-13mm in diameter with some weight. The only way you'll find out is to try a few handles, unfortunately, as we won't be able to predict your preferences.
Good luck.

Thanks for the feedback thus far, gentlemen. After staring at the razors I've been thinking about for literally hours now, I'm starting to wonder if maybe the extreme weight of roughly 180g might err on the side of too 'aggressive' of a shave for someone as green to wet shaving as I am? In the mix of razors I'm checking out are the lighter Maggard MR6 which weighs in at 106g, significantly lighter than the MR8 but still looks to be weighty enough to qualify as a 'heavy' razor. I dunno, without anyway to taste test without actually clicking the BUY button, I hate to commit without thoroughly researching and asking opinions...

http://www.maggardrazors.com/product/mag...ety-razor/
Something like this? I understand the end unscrews and you can fill the handle with BBs to make it heavier.

Thicker handles tend to provide me a more comfortable grip experience.

I think I can adjust to almost anything as long as it's not too extreme.  My Schick Krona seems pretty light in comparison to my Fatboy, but both give great shaves.

I love the Ikon OSS handle, it's fatter and much heavier than most handles.
Herm
SRROC, BCWS

(07-02-2016, 07:05 PM)kav Wrote: Ben 74 has some UFOs that look nice and fat. I would wait for his insights. I am finding thicker handles and greater razor weight are more user friendly with older hands subject to arthritis ( thankfully not yet) or that suffer ( unthankfully) periodic intense cramping.

Thicker and softer golf grips for arthritic seniors often provide some help. I'm sure the same logic applies to razor handles for many seniors. Arthritis isn't my problem, a stroke 5 years ago is. Left my right side compromised and weaker than my right (and I'm hopelessly right handed). I'm going to try a handle or two at 15-17mm.

(07-03-2016, 01:00 PM)beamon Wrote:

(07-02-2016, 07:05 PM)kav Wrote: Ben 74 has some UFOs that look nice and fat. I would wait for his insights. I am finding thicker handles and greater razor weight are more user friendly with older hands subject to arthritis ( thankfully not yet) or that suffer ( unthankfully) periodic intense cramping.

Thicker and softer golf grips for arthritic seniors often provide some help. I'm sure the same logic applies to razor handles for many seniors. Arthritis isn't my problem, a stroke 5 years ago is. Left my right side compromised and weaker than my right (and I'm hopelessly right handed). I'm going to try a handle or two at 15-17mm.

Thicker golf grips are also good if you are too handsy and hook the ball or close the face, and thinner grips if you have a bad slice......for those whose problem either way lies with their hands ....for those who play...

Well, I went ahead and said to hell with it and got the MR8. I'm looking for something different than I've already got and figured the MR8 was the most dis similar to my Van der Hagen, and by god if it's just so unbearable that I just can't deal with it then I'll just get the MR6. Big deal, right?

This is probably counter to any logic. But when you buy good tools the human hand finds a way to adapt to any idiosyncrasies unless to extreme.  Try writing with a fat felt marker VS a thin bic pen as a rough test. But I think you bought a splendid choice.

Congratulations and good luck with the handle!

(07-03-2016, 05:52 PM)kav Wrote: This is probably counter to any logic. But when you buy good tools the human hand finds a way to adapt to any idiosyncrasies unless to extreme.  Try writing with a fat felt marker VS a thin bic pen as a rough test. But I think you bought a splendid choice.

This has been my personal experience as well. I use a shorter handle and was concerned about adjusting to it. Now, I don't even think about it.


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I enjoy a wider girth with my razor handles. However, I've also discovered I prefer a lighter weight handle.

Lucky for me Rafael has given me the best of both worlds with a couple of UFO Aluminium monsters!

  

I think it is such an issue of personal dynamics that it will vary widely from shaver to shaver.  What I mean is it all comes down to what makes each person physically uncomfortable or comfortable while shaving.  Personally, I like thinner, longer handles for the most part, though some of my razors heads just absolutely perform better with shorter, thicker handles.  This is a big part of what makes the Wet Shaving hobby and culture so freakin COOL!!

I prefer smaller ones, akin to the ATT Atlas.