Thread: Discussions on various steels?

Originally Posted by Leighton

You get a weld of two steels with damascus and get all the advantages and disadvantages that come with it.

Yeah, but what exactly are those advantages and disadvantages?

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

Originally Posted by VeeDubb65

Yeah, but what exactly are those advantages and disadvantages?

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

I wish I could say that Damascus was a supersteel that held an edge forever and the only disadvantage was the cost. But...

Pattern welded steel is basically an average of the two steels welded together. The carbon content is averaged out as are all the other materials. The only real advantage is the aesthetics.

Disadvantages are cost and if done improperly the weld could break. The edge could also have different layers of welding in the bevel and that could cause problems with honing too. Theres more that I can't even think of. Basically if its done improperly you have an art piece. But if done well, you have a beautiful piece of functional art.

Ah, so it's really just cosmetic. Good to know. It will keep me from ever buying one because while I appreciate the workmanship, the look doesn't really do that much for me.

And the price will never ever be cheap either. Theres a lot of labor involved, so if you see cheap damascus, there were corners cut and cutting corners when welding steels is very bad.

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.

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

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 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.

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.

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.