Thread: Discussions on various steels?

Originally Posted by McWolf1969

As with most things re: materials to make a razor, it does still seem to come down to personal preference then?
Any steel making countries, i should avoid? I tend to shy away from chinese steel, but i admit i dont have alot of facts behind that personal bias.

I'm pretty sure China actually imports most of their steel. Not sure on that one, but I remember hearing on NPR that China imports a lot of steel.

Avoid Pakistani steel at all costs. They produce a huge amount of steel these days, and almost all of it is of EXTREMELY poor quality. This is the main reason why zeepk razors are so useless.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Here is an overview of knife making steel that is applicable to straight razors.

Tons of info on that link...thanks Jimmy.

Originally Posted by Leighton

I'm pretty sure China actually imports most of their steel. Not sure on that one, but I remember hearing on NPR that China imports a lot of steel.

Well, lets hope they aren't importing it from Pakistan. lol

Thank you sir.

Originally Posted by VeeDubb65

Avoid Pakistani steel at all costs. They produce a huge amount of steel these days, and almost all of it is of EXTREMELY poor quality. This is the main reason why zeepk razors are so useless.

Yeah, i forgot about them...i hope everyone is just born, with a innate sense, to avoid their steel. lol
Thanks for the feedback.

Originally Posted by VeeDubb65

Yeah, but what exactly are those advantages and disadvantages?

Seriously. I'm asking because I don't know.

The idea behind Damascus steel (for swords anyway) is to fold a blend of steels in such a way that the cutting edge is hard to hold a very durable edge, while allowing the rest of the sword to be softer-- if the entire blade were made of just the hard steel, it would be too brittle and break. Application of this concept to a shaving razor I think is purely cosmetic (but rather cool, esp. when combined with some nice spine etching).

-Chief

Originally Posted by McWolf1969

Yeah, i forgot about them...i hope everyone is just born, with a innate sense, to avoid their steel. lol
Thanks for the feedback.

I would hope the same, but many people (myself included) have made the mistake of buying blades made in Pakistan, and been forced to learn the hard way.

i had benn meaning to mention, im surprised there isnt more general metalurgy conversation, like a whole seperate thread.

Originally Posted by The0ctopus

i had benn meaning to mention, im surprised there isnt more general metalurgy conversation, like a whole seperate thread.

You'll find quite a bit in this SRP forum here, The Forge.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

You'll find quite a bit in this SRP forum here, The Forge.

I want Jimmy's brain, in my head, right now! Well, maybe just download all the info pertaining to razors...got a usb port anywhere on that noggin Jimmy?