Thread: What's the history of SR metallurgy over the past 200 years?

Originally Posted by Neil Miller

No, it is not the reason. It was to cater to the taste of someone who did not like a mirror finish.

I was under the impression that higher carbon content resulted in a better mirror-polish. Is this correct? This reason I ask is that one of my WB blades (with higher carbon content) polishes very well, while some of the others don't.

That might be true, but that still does not make your original statement true, ie the satin finish a d the mirror finish were performed on the same steel - the steel composition of the razors finished with a satin finish was not inferior or different to that with a mirror or crocus finish.

Silver steel was and is used for its bright appearance, but it was by no means exclusively used for razors, and it could, in common with all steels, be finished in a variety of ways.

Like I told you when you first started, go by facts and ignore personal beliefs, even though they are your own. You aren't exactly knowledgable enough about the subject to 'imply' anything - yet.

Regards,
Neil

Originally Posted by Neil Miller

ie the satin finish a d the mirror finish were performed on the same steel

OK, I understand. Thanks for explaining

Originally Posted by Neil Miller

You aren't exactly knowledgable enough about the subject to 'imply' anything - yet.

I was just reporting the information I found

Originally Posted by gugi

Yes, TI uses something they call c135, from the 1.35% carbon content. ...

There is nothing wrong with using a hyper eutectic steel (meaning a carbon content greater than 0.85%) as long as it is heat treated according to the specific recipe for that material. In this case, given the mass purchase and likely adaptation of the heat treatment shop to the new regimen, it was a good economic decision for T-I to do. It simplifies production and produces a consistent salable product. A simple business decision.

But for a small shop maker who has to take small lots of, as found, steel and use much less sophisticated equipment (mostly) there are tradeoffs and potential differences in performance because of the lack of high grade consistent equipment and materials. There are always trade offs until you can reach a critical mass in production.

But that doesn't mean a small shop can't make good stuff. It does not mean that the latest greatest large volume of steel is the absolutely best razor/blade. They made trade offs at the high end too.

Originally Posted by Tallm

OK, I understand. Thanks for explaining


I was just reporting the information I found

Sorry - I took your explanation that you were '...under the impression...' at face value.

If that isn't the case, than the source you found is questionable.

Regards,
Neil