Thread: Blue Steel Razor

What is it about Blue steel razors that is like a siren song. After I told myself that I needed to stop looking at ebay and buying for a while, this pops up. I could not resist, I paid $26.00 US. OK be honest guys, what do you think?
Phil

It looks like most if not all blueing is gone. In addition to that, the razor doesn't seem to be in stellar shape. I would have taken a pass on this one even at $10.

What is the blueing and what is the benefit?

I do not think that the razor is suppose to be 'blued' (a process that is most commonly used on guns, rifles, etc....to add a dark color, a black-blue color to the steel. From what I understand this is pretty much for astetics, but I could be wrong), but that 'Blue Steel' is the moniker for the razor.

With that said, I'm not a big fan of the smaller (4/8 and smaller) razors, however, some people love 'em! I find they are a bit tricky to hone, in that they are more light in weight.

Keep us posted on how it shaves!

C utz

Blued steel is an aesthetic thing and it looks PIMP on one of my pieces (the Heartring). Some 4/8 blades can really be great shavers. I have a couple and wouldn't give'em up even for a Williams (no joke).

I always thought that blueing was originally an early rust preventative on metals, that was used primarily on firearms. Over the years, the 'look' of the bluing became the main reason, but that wasn't the original purpose.

But......I may be wrong....usually am.

I've got some great shaving 4/8 razors - a Merkur, a really nice W&B Barber Notch (a 4/8 Barber Notch! - go figure) and a Rodgers. Love'em all.

-whatever

-Lou

The seller was supposed to be a barber in southern California. He said he used it in his shop last Saturday. We'll see what it looks like when it gets here.
Phil

Originally Posted by scarface

I always thought that blueing was originally an early rust preventative on metals, that was used primarily on firearms. Over the years, the 'look' of the bluing became the main reason, but that wasn't the original purpose.

But......I may be wrong....usually am.

I've got some great shaving 4/8 razors - a Merkur, a really nice W&B Barber Notch (a 4/8 Barber Notch! - go figure) and a Rodgers. Love'em all.

-whatever

-Lou

I'm with Lou on this one.
Blueing was originally done for corrosion resistance....the fact that it looks cool is just a benefit, and in current times, perhaps aesthetics is a little more of the deal.
John P.