Thread: FW Engels "Rainbow" Temper Toned 7 day set ?

My first impression would be just room temperature oxidation. I've handled a lot of razors with color patterns like that that honed and shaved fine after polishing the color out. Some steels seem more reactive in different environments to developing an oxide coating like that. It could be overbuffing, but I generally suspect the former first.

Originally Posted by ScienceGuy

My first impression would be just room temperature oxidation. I've handled a lot of razors with color patterns like that that honed and shaved fine after polishing the color out. Some steels seem more reactive in different environments to developing an oxide coating like that. It could be overbuffing, but I generally suspect the former first.

A Joe Rodgers I bought, shown below, had something like this, but not as extreme. I remember it happening to another razor that I forgot to clean/rinse after shaving. I left lather on it overnight and it got a similar discolored effect. So it could be that, but ...... all of them, and the fact that they are stamped Wedge, but are FH, creates suspicion. Do they look like regrinds to you ? The one oddball is longer, and is a square point, the others obviously round points ....

Rainbow temper??? I like it!

Very creative B.S.!

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I left lather on it overnight and it got a similar discolored effect. So it could be that, but ...... all of them, and the fact that they are stamped Wedge, but are FH, creates suspicion. Do they look like regrinds to you ? The one oddball is longer, and is a square point, the others obviously round points ....

Since it was a set with the same owner, his habits could have caused all of them to react similarly. Hard to say if they're reground based on the pics. I don't have much experience with modern razors, but can say that various brands had different definitions for 'wedge'.

Jimmy, I have a Torrey like this, have honed and used it and it's not a regrind. I'm not sure it's an issue, maybe it's a decoration of sorts that some razor manufactures used as a rust inhibitor ? If I remember correctly I think mine polished right off. I'll post a pic of it later tonight if I can find it....

Originally Posted by ScienceGuy

My first impression would be just room temperature oxidation. I've handled a lot of razors with color patterns like that that honed and shaved fine after polishing the color out. Some steels seem more reactive in different environments to developing an oxide coating like that.

I concur

I see a storage issue, probably with some type of oil left on the blades..

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

You might have something there. Oddly enough, the seller pictures 6 of the razors together aside from the oddball that is obviously an Engels Wedge. It is slightly longer than the others.

As you say, they are stamped 'Wedge' but are full hollow. It could very well be that poor regrinding, overheating the blades, led to the color of the 6 blades. I wouldn't gamble on it myself.

When you look at other Engels razor that are hollowed they all have a double stabilizer, these dont. If oil caused this issue howcome we dont see it on the tang?

I say tarnish. JMHO

Of about a couple hundred razors I have seen, about twenty had similar discoloration due to oxidization. There are some salts that mimic blueing and a very tiny amount of acid in the atmosphere can do a number on polished metal over time.
And one was from overbuffing and had a dead edge.
Your guesses are as good as mine!
~Richard
Looking at he blades, the ends where there is the most exposure to air are the darkest.

Agreed, Richard. As many as I have seen, most were in seemingly stable cell and some were on natural materials. Makes me wonder about light 'gassing' and effects upon neighbors?
If a blade(worn out or not!)is deprived of moisture, it seems this type of patina is sometimes incurred. Better than rust or pitting! Simply tarnish. For whatever reason. JMO