Hi Guys,

Just wanted to ask a question regarding the Rc hardness of some razors I'm making. My steel is Bohler N690 stainless steel, other custom makers use/have used it for straight razors, namely Mastro Livi and I think all would agree that for a stainless blade this is a very good, fine-grained choice of steel to use.

My question relates to the final hardness of this steel after a triple temper at 200C, my spec sheet on the steel indicates that a final hardness after tempering would be 58-60 Rc - So I'd like to know if on the lower end of that estimate, if 58 Rc for a stainless blade is acceptible in a straight razor? Is that hard enough to maintain a good edge? Or would it be preferred to have a hardness of around 62 but with a more brittle blade (so then not tempered)? I've read that razors can range from 58-65 Rc, but what are your thoughts on N690 at a hardness of 58,59 or 60 Rc? - is it much of a muchness or a real factor to be concerned about? And then out of interest, does anyone know what hardness a Livi N690 blade is rated at?

(My blades will be hardened in a vacuum furnace at 1080C followed by an oil quench and then sub-zero treatment in liquid nitrogen, and then triple tempered at 200C.)

Thanks guys for any insights into this.

Cheers,
- Mike