Thread: 6/8 Suminagashi Steel

Originally Posted by MileMarker60

I find the shave quality of the steel out ways the necessity of taping the spine.

+1 So very true.
In the world of change managment you would call something like this "disruptive"
And it's a reminder of how important steel and temper are along with all of the variables of honing/finishing.
I don't portend to understand this magic - but the results - hitting that sweet spot of closeness and comfort shave after shave makes it worth the wait.

I'm looking forward to seeing the next generation of razors using this material.

Originally Posted by MJC

+1 So very true.
In the world of change managment you would call something like this "disruptive"
And it's a reminder of how important steel and temper are along with all of the variables of honing/finishing.
I don't portend to understand this magic - but the results - hitting that sweet spot of closeness and comfort shave after shave makes it worth the wait.

I'm looking forward to seeing the next generation of razors using this material.

True. However, the comparison is not correct.

The shave quality is determined by the core steel and its heat treatment. The core will be either blue or white paper steel. You can get it at dictum fairly cheaply. It is perfectly possible to get that same steel as monosteel (also from dictum) and get a razor that shaves exactly the same, while also being hardened at the spine to allow the honing of the razor without requiring tape.

Taping the spine is normally optional, a matter of personal preference. Honing a suminagashi razor without tape can destroy it. So by choosing suminagashi over monosteel, you essentially trade in functional properties, solely for the purpose of looking cool without gaining anything else.

As I said before, that is not a bad design choice if the specific looks are what you are going for. Case in point: this razors looks wonderful. You won't find me saying anything negative about it. I have some of the stuff on the way, and I have Japanese san-mai on my workbench.

But the end result in shave quality is not better than what you would otherwise get. I recently discussed this very topic with a master sword smith, and he said that while the traditional methods were the best in the days when they were developed, they are not better than modern alternatives. You mentioned magic; the secret is that there isn't any In some cases, traditional methods are used because they've always been used, not because they are still better.

Beautiful blade, I love it!

Cheers.

very beautiful,.. great lines..!

I want to make a clarification / apology here:

I don't want to say anything negative at all regarding this razor or the choice for steel. This is good steel, and a very nice razor. I apologise if I came across as negative.

The reason for my post was that at the time I had the impression that MJC thought that this steel was better 'because' it was suminagashi. Looking back, that is not necessarily true. However, there are a lot of misconceptions about steel, especially Japanese steel. That is the reason for me making a technical post about suminagashi steel vs monosteel.

Originally Posted by Bruno

I want to make a clarification / apology here:

I don't want to say anything negative at all regarding this razor or the choice for steel. This is good steel, and a very nice razor. I apologise if I came across as negative.

The reason for my post was that at the time I had the impression that MJC thought that this steel was better 'because' it was suminagashi. Looking back, that is not necessarily true. However, there are a lot of misconceptions about steel, especially Japanese steel. That is the reason for me making a technical post about suminagashi steel vs monosteel.

I for one am glad you pointed out the distinction Bruno. I did not know that the spine would not be hardened enough to hone without tape. I probably will never buy a suminagashi blade anyway, but if I were ever to consider it, I'm glad I know all of the relevant facts.

Beautiful piece. Well done.

Stunning razor! And great info on this thread too. I have been wondering about san mai for razors, and this answered my question.