Thread: 01 Steel.

Guys, if you have a problem with each other take it to PM, or keep it to yourself. Thanks in advance.

Originally Posted by dickerydee

Just wondering why this seems to be the 'go to' for razor manufacturers in the USA? Is it because it's cheap and easy to source and works relatively well for making custom straights?

My guess on O1 is that it has the properties needed to produce fine razor edge, carbide structure edge retention etc. and it is easy to HT.

It would be nice to see some manufacturers using more interesting steels on a more common basis.

What do you consider a more interesting steel and how do you judge the level of "interesting" of a steel?

Time is money. I'm sure there's razor artisans who would make a razor with your choice of steels. However, you may reconsider after receiving a price quote or spent hours trying to hone unsuccessfully. There's a reason for the Rockwell Hardness Scale.

Forget steel... lets use white sapphire instead.

I think using vintage or repurposed steel, japanese, swedish etc might be cool.

For creating functional razors, imo O2 is the best steel there is. The reason I am the only one using it is that it is impossible to get in many countries including the US. People here have tried modern exotic steels, with disappointing results. They are incredibly tough, but don't produce as fine an edge.

There are all sort of things that are 'cool'.

I've made a razor from steel from a 17th century katana which had seen use in battle, and kept the original heat treatment. In terms of 'cool', I rate that at the very top. That doesn't mean it is better. It's also freaky expensive. For making razors that people can buy, tool steel is both ideal and cheap.

Originally Posted by Bruno

For creating functional razors, imo O2 is the best steel there is. The reason I am the only one using it is that it is impossible to get in many countries including the US. People here have tried modern exotic steels, with disappointing results. They are incredibly tough, but don't produce as fine an edge.

I'm lucky enough to have one of Bruno's O2 razors and it is super keen and smooth. Rumor has it that I may have another sooner than later ........

That said, I'm no judge of razor steel beyond being an end user. I've spoken with Robert Williams about it and O1 is what he uses a lot because it is good for razors, and easily obtainable on this side of the pond, and not too expensive.

I've also had razors made of that ball bearing steel, S-30V, and ATS-34. The bearing steel was pretty cool, I forget the # designation, and the other two were good once they were "there", but it was a chore to get them there.

Good old 440C, which I didn't have much respect for as a pocket knife steel, turned out to be fine for razors. At least that 440C used by the commercial manufacturers in the old days. I haven't had any customs made with it. Unlike the aforementioned S30V, and ATS-34, the 440C isn't difficult to hone.

Ball bearings will be 52100.
Yes it is good steel. However, as you might expect, it is extremely tough and wear resistant. This also makes it a very annoying steel to work because grinding and sanding hardened 52100 takes a lot of time and effort. And since toughness and wear resistance have no added benefit for a razor, you basically end up with a razor that is no better than the same razor from O1, but a lot more difficult to manufacture.

It's not everyday that a 17th century antique sword is chopped to bits to make a razor. I'm certain there are any number of nihonto collectors who have chest pain, even as we speak, feeling the death of such a blade in this manner. Bruno is in a small club of daring souls.

There is nothing wrong with vintage or passe or underrated steels that are not unobtainium or wunderstahls. There are a few things a few of us know about oil quenched steels that make them very interesting and not because they are commonly used. To find out such things, you have to be daring or a fool or both, and willing to make one for yourself. That's a good answer to the original question too. Make a razor or a few, tell us what you find out.