Thread: Are some razors just better than others?

The moral of the story is that you not only have to try different brands, and different models within a brand, but also different examples of the same model.

Or be content with what shaves you well.

Another consideration is that an average steel with superb heat treatment may outperform a superb steel with average heat treatment.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I have about 100 razors of all brands and grinds and sizes and I classify my razors as either giving an excellent, outstanding or exceptional shave. They all shave wonderfully so its like splitting hairs (ha ha) between them but the exceptional category is a razor where if you were blindfolded and someone shaved you with it and you didn't know you were being shaved you could never tell a razor was going down your face that's how smooth and sharp it is. The other categories, well you can feel the razor working on your face to various degrees. Now I can change an excellent shaver to an outstanding one if I'm willing to put in enough time on the hone but no matter what I do I can't make an outstanding shaver an exceptional one. Its something the razor either has or doesn't and that's it. Of all my razors I would say probably 25% are exceptional razors and that cuts across brands. I have about 20+ ducks and they all shave wonderfully but only about 25% are exceptional.

Wow! I wish I could say that all of my razors gave an excellent, outstanding, or exceptional shave.

I can't!

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Another consideration is that an average steel with superb heat treatment may outperform a superb steel with average heat treatment.

I fail to understand what would make one steel better than another. Sure, there are junk grades of steel that would be unsuitable for razor making, but of the ones that are suitable, I fail to see an appreciable difference. I don't understand.

There are a lot of attributes that a good shaving razor will have,
and these are different for each shaver. I've found that for me,
most of the qualities of a 'good razor' are peripheral to the edge
itself:

- Nice feel in the hand, weight, balance, shank length, tang, etc.
- Razor opens properly in the scales, pinning etc.
- Good stiffness in the blade. Width is less important to me.

Basically, I like razors that feel good in my hands when stropping
and shaving, and gives a good shave -- that's it!

- Scott

Originally Posted by Leighton

I fail to understand what would make one steel better than another. Sure, there are junk grades of steel that would be unsuitable for razor making, but of the ones that are suitable, I fail to see an appreciable difference. I don't understand.

I'm no expert but my impression is that there are many different alloys of steel as well as variations in forging and heat treatment. The alloy will have an effect on the characteristics of the blade relating to stain resistance, toughness and sharpness. How hard or easy it is to hone and how long it holds an edge. At least that is my impression. I could be wrong. I was wrong once before.

One thing about differences in steel (and these differences do
exist) is that they're sometimes hard to measure in terms of
their effect on the shave. For example, I've had both carbon
and stainless Dovos that give equally great shaves, yet they
use totally different steels.



- Scott

Regardless ergonomics, that depend on personal preferences, all razors that are produced to traditional high quality standards, can be honed to shavereadiness. But beyond that level of performance lies a whole world of different nuances in keenness and smoothness. It's like raising children. You try to educate a razor on the hones to the best of your abilities, but it still remains a somewhat elusive chase. All the metaphors of parenting apply: Don't try to push the razor beyond its limits. Heavy handedness may seem successful on short term, but fails in the long run. A good spine is where it all starts. Beware of temper. Honor character and disposition.

Some razors really stand out. They take a better edge and can only serve as an example for others. There's a higher chance finding them in a few particular brands. I have 3 of those in a collection of about 16 and I consider myself very lucky with that ratio.

I think metallurgy and heat treatment remain some kind of alchemy.

Bart.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I'm no expert but my impression is that there are many different alloys of steel as well as variations in forging and heat treatment. The alloy will have an effect on the characteristics of the blade relating to stain resistance, toughness and sharpness. How hard or easy it is to hone and how long it holds an edge. At least that is my impression. I could be wrong. I was wrong once before.

Gotcha. What makes steel different are the percentages of certain elements. Ie, Silver steel generally has more carbon than "regular" steel. Stainless has chromium and nickel and other elements "carbon steel" doesn't have. Different types of stainless steel can have differing amounts of carbon %. The carbon % is what gives the steel its brittleness and hardness. Its a tradeoff. More carbon = harder steel, but more brittle. Usually the difference is really small, so in reality, the difference in steel is actually smaller than most people think.

So theoretically, the higher carbon %, the longer the edge will last. In theory. How much longer? Probably not that much because carbon percent is measured in fractions of percent.

So what really matter? The heat treatment maters. Its also the hardest thing to get right when making sharp pointies.

Originally Posted by Leighton

Gotcha. What makes steel different are the percentages of certain elements. Ie, Silver steel generally has more carbon than "regular" steel. Stainless has chromium and nickel and other elements "carbon steel" doesn't have. Different types of stainless steel can have differing amounts of carbon %. The carbon % is what gives the steel its brittleness and hardness. Its a tradeoff. More carbon = harder steel, but more brittle. Usually the difference is really small, so in reality, the difference in steel is actually smaller than most people think.

So theoretically, the higher carbon %, the longer the edge will last. In theory. How much longer? Probably not that much because carbon percent is measured in fractions of percent.

So what really matter? The heat treatment matters. Its also the hardest thing to get right when making sharp pointies.

If Mike Blue happens along in this thread he can really speak to the nuances of metallurgy and heat treating. Other members as well but I know Mike is expert in that area.