Thread: razor edges

which razors seem to hold there edge the longest?

No real answer to your question. It depends on your beard, your skills and how sharp the blade is to begin with. There are a few with very hard steel that appear to last longer but that's still pretty subjective. If your looking for a razor just get a quality blade and you'll be OK.

Theirs Issard holds a good edge. The stainless blades will hold an edge good too. That doesn't make them any more forgiving to poor maintenance though as was already mentioned They are also slower to take an edge too so its a tradeoff.

the reason I ask is that I have read that the likes of a morley and other brands seem to hold edges longer.

I think the time frame that a razor can hold an edge is based more on how the razor is taken care of not what it is made of or who makes it. Many straight razor manufacturers use the same type of metal.

I have a Dovo and hear they can hold a good edge for a while, but at the same time if two people have the exact same type of razor that was made from the same mold and metal sample one may last longer due to the difference in care the individual person gives the razor and how good their technique is. So the actual length of time will vary per person.

Just so long as you are using quality razors there is very little difference in longevity, having to do with the razors
Now factoring in your Stropping, Shaving, and Honing abilities or disabilities will have way more effect on the longevity of the edge than any differences in the steel...

Using a powerful enough microscope you will probably see some kind of edge damage even after one shave. How easy that edge is maintained with stropping alone will depend on the individual razor. Harder steels may be the most durable. Overly hard, poorly tempered steels will chip so quality steel, even carbide distribution & proper heat treating are crucial.
Unfortunately the only sure way to know how a razor will behave is to buy it & use it.

Originally Posted by superdave

the reason I ask is that I have read that the likes of a morley and other brands seem to hold edges longer.

Good thing you came here for some accurate information.........

I can't imagine there is a simple direct answer to this question. I will answer from my experience since that might be what you are looking for.

In my limited experience, my Filarmonica holds an edge better than any other razor I own. It is sick, but it actually feels sharper today than it did 10 shaves ago. It's like this little Filly sharpens itself. I have also shaved with a new Boker Edelweiss approximately 20 times with no noticeable degradation in the edge. In contrast, I noticed that my Wacker wedge seemed to degrade rather quickly, while others say that the Wackers hold a great edge.

I think you will get 500 different answers from this from 500 different people, but just giving my opinion of my razors.

superdave,

The razors that have the longest lasting edges (for me) are my C135 TIs.

However all the razors I own have edges that last 'enough', and as they can all be touched up/honed, I dont get hung up about edge longevity - there are no 'super razors' whose edge lasts forever

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ