Thread: Reaching back to go into the future

Originally Posted by MisterMoo

This is a buzzword for a catastrophic first razor, I presume.

Yes and no. There's custom made damascus, hand-hammered by a professional, and there's (factory) damascus-look. In general, real damascus razors are as expensive as they are high-quality, whereas the fakes are commonly advertised for $50-100. It is safe to say that the damascus razors at Vintage Straight Razors are not hand-made and cannot hold a proper edge.

As a sidenode, damascus is a term often used for layered steel, but it has a different original meaning. I'm not very knowledgeable in this area.

There you go again with the potty mouth: straight razor shaving is not a b*^%#, it is worthy pursuit. The history is deep, unfortunately, so is the history of hucksters. My advice start over, pick a new name, a real new name, not your forum name. Then look at the beauty that is the straight razor. The knowledge in the forum is vast. Read, read, read.....then take baby steps and ask straightforward questions. Then sift through the answers because there are a lot of jerks lurking about (just kidding)....good luck and good shaving!

Originally Posted by foldedandhoned

Got the message,
Thank you for all or your wisdom.
I have been very fustrated and maybe a bit sarcastic (I am by nature sarcastic).
Thank you Glen for your words.
Straight razor shaving is a bitch!
I have earned my living as a cook and know blades, but this is different.
Didn't mean to insult anyone. (a joke is a joke)
I'm determined to use a straight razor, but I admit I know nothing about the art of it all and need some advise.
I don't feel that my initial purchase was worth the money spent, although the the Damascus blade is nice.
So, here I am, a freshman shaver asking the varsity crew to give me some pointers.

Originally Posted by MisterMoo

This is always a buzzword for a catastrophic first razor? Or do "Damascus" and "Vintage Straight Razors" not go well together?

Honestly this is just going to get very confusing but I will try...

There is no such thing as "Real" Damascus any longer, there are people out there chasing it

What the custom steel guys call Damascus is actually "Pattern Welded" steel

What is being sold as Damascus by the Pakistani Steel slingers is total crap at this point in time

Some of the Damascus being sold in the US by US companies that supply knife steel is also not suitable for razors

Before any of you say it "Yes I have tested every single one that I can get my hands on" every time I see some poor newb that has been suckered by a new name out there I send a PM and ask to test the razor..

Keep in mind besides the quality of the steel the actual geometry of the razor comes into account too, many of these are simply RSO's or Razor Shaped Objects and cannot shave regardless of the steel


Some of the Quality Pattern Welded / Damascus does make for a good razor... note I did not say great but that is another thread in itself...


Now let all the steel bangers jump in

Sorry slightly off topic, but are ALL razors produced in Pakistan bad? Presumably Pakistani people must shave with something. I am not trying to be cheeky, or difficult, I just don't know. Cheers ed

Good question, this might help. Here is a photo of their national animal:

Originally Posted by edhewitt

Sorry slightly off topic, but are ALL razors produced in Pakistan bad? Presumably Pakistani people must shave with something. I am not trying to be cheeky, or difficult, I just don't know. Cheers ed

Wait, this is off topic also....

Hey Glen
In your above post you said the ATPIT words I thought you were done with that.

Originally Posted by WW243

Good question, this might help. Here is a photo of their national animal: Wait, this is off topic also....

Guess they should be good at making horned scales?

Boooo!

Thanks everyone for your opinions.
I think I got got. I thought I did a fair amount of research but...
This SR thing is now a challenge for me and I will shave nic free one day.
Does anyone have a suggestion about a new razor for me to buy?
The blade I got from VSR is stamped with a crest in the German tradition...Egales, feathers, talons, all that, and I can barely make out the letters GB.
I live in a very remote part of the states and can't just walk down to the local razor shop and pick one up.
Oh, and I don't have a potty mouth, I speak and type English in all it's colorful glory. Misspellings included.
Nor am I a hippster.

Best
Folded

Originally Posted by edhewitt

Sorry slightly off topic, but are ALL razors produced in Pakistan bad? Presumably Pakistani people must shave with something. I am not trying to be cheeky, or difficult, I just don't know. Cheers ed

Points

1. Most that I have tested have weak steel that will not take an edge
2. Some have weak geometry that will not take and edge
3. I have found a couple that will take and edge but will not hold the edge through the entire shave
4. I have found 2 razors NOT 2 brands that will shave, the shave was nowhere near the smoothness that I would want for my Hollywood face
5. IMHO once the price goes over $10 they are a waste of time to me because I can buy Vintage razors all day long that will shave circles around any of them


That is my story and I am sticking to it

If new is what you want there are a few mfgs out there that produce fine razors. Dovo, Hart Steel, TI, etc. The classifieds here are a good place, as well as Glen at Gemstar customs, whipped dog, etc. They key is to make sure they are honed and shave ready. Even new Dovo's are not even though they state they are. My new Dovo was honed by Lynn and I have had for a year now, still shaves great.