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

The six matching razors are "Engels Wedge" razors. I know a lot of the more modern "wedge" razors are really more what I would call quarter hollow (I've got a Checker Wedge like this) but these razors look to be more like full hollow. I think someone did take them to a grinding wheel and hollowed them out more than they were originally and in the process overheated the blades. But you would think they would stop after the first one or two, wouldn't you?

Originally Posted by goldragon

The six matching razors are "Engels Wedge" razors. I know a lot of the more modern "wedge" razors are really more what I would call quarter hollow (I've got a Checker Wedge like this) but these razors look to be more like full hollow. I think someone did take them to a grinding wheel and hollowed them out more than they were originally and in the process overheated the blades. But you would think they would stop after the first one or two, wouldn't you?

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.

Seems pretty obvious that the temper is gone by overheating because even the odd ball razor has the "Rainbow Temper".

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'.

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..

Jimmy, those razors are perfectly fine,,, they were cleaned & polished using a cotton T-Shirt & a bag of Skittles,,, thus you get the "Skittles Effect".

Follow the rainbow Jimmy,,,,,

It doesn't look like the seller takes returns (without a hassle anyways) judging from his description and feedback so you would be assuming the risk.