Thread: Buying my first straight razor--question about damascus steel and HRC Cutlery

Damascus Steel 15N20 & 1095 Hand-Forged

I would be very suspicious of anything advertised as Damascus Steel. The original method of forging Damascus Steel was lost to history in the 1700s. Various attempts have been made over the years to reverse engineer this process (by examining antique blades) but to date none have reproduced it completely. It;s probably just cheep steel with a wavy pattern etched on it.

FWIW (I've been away for a while) --

If you want to shave with a straight razor, buy a new _basic_ round-point Dovo or Boker, shave-ready, from any of a number of vendors (including Straight Razor Designs, or "thesuperiorshave.com"). It'll be plain -- no romance -- but it'll be made of good steel, properly-tempered, properly-sharpened. Your cost should come in at around $100.

Get into the vintage and "fancy razor" market (which can be addictive and expensive) after you know that straight-razor shaving is really for you.

. Charles

Originally Posted by kwco

I would be very suspicious of anything advertised as Damascus Steel. The original method of forging Damascus Steel was lost to history in the 1700s. Various attempts have been made over the years to reverse engineer this process (by examining antique blades) but to date none have reproduced it completely. It;s probably just cheep steel with a wavy pattern etched on it.

Even if it does not meet the criteria needed to impress the razor users here, it is not simply a piece of cheap steel with a pattern etched on it. I'm going to suggest you do a little more research into the subject (pattern welding). Although, inexpensive compared to other modern steels, 1095 and 15N20 by themselves can make a good blade if all the other necessary conditions are met.