Thread: Why German and not Japanese?

I recently bought a straight from a antique shop. While doing all kinds of research on straight I find that most are made in Germany. Why do straight users prefer to use German steel when Japanese steel is supposed to be better? At least that is what I've read and heard. If you could design your own straight, how would you design it. Style, steel, handle. Or what changes would you make to the current styles?

I've often wondered if an offset blade would work. Where the blade is offset from the handle?

I hope that make sense.

Johnnie

I think the reason most of us here don't use japanese straights is because the traditional japanese straight is radically different from European types. I actually have a japanese straight and it is very difficult to use because it is a one sided razor and very short and heavy. Its difficult using the one side and takes alot of practice, almost like learning to use a straight all over again and while it gives a great shave I don't know if its worth the effort.

Once you get used to the European style I think its the ideal. I can't think of any major improvements i would make.

If I could find a western trad. styled, full hollow ground razor made from the steel that they use in some of the Japanese knives I own, I am confident that it would out shave 90% of what is out there right now. I was going to get Murray Carter to make me a prototype, but the cost was through the roof for the added cost of the hollow grind. I guess I will be content with my crappy Sta-Sharp's

German Surgical Steel was considered the best by doctors world wide before the Japanese started making quality products in the mid 1980's. I find mostly razors from Sheffield England on eBay. Good Pre WWII German Solingen is hard to find. Japanese are not very hairy people I had a girlfriend that did not even need to shave her legs. The Germans on the other hand are a very hairy bunch. So when they needed razors they needed some seriouse hair removing tools. I also think that there was alot of accumulated knowledge in Solingen before we leveled in WW II anyway. The City of Blades since 1400-1600's and then the steel standard of 1938. I like German blades because the are easy to sharpen and give me great shave. I had one shaveable old English blade but like most early english blades the handle broke. So I've been a Solingen man ever since.

Yeah Lee.....Thos Sta-Sharp's are really lousy. Wouldn't own one ever, never, nyet, no-no, now way, no how. Rusty edges. Hard to hone. Micro-chips from hell. Lynn

I really like US made blades, Sheffield, Italian Customs and French in addition to the German's I have. Oh well.....dis is such a poisonal sport.....lol. Lynn

Originally Posted by pikappa167

I was going to get Murray Carter to make me a prototype, but the cost was through the roof for the added cost of the hollow grind. I guess I will be content with my crappy Sta-Sharp's

Wow, that would be cool to have Murray make a straight in Shiroko or Aoko. I have several of his kitchen knives and they rock. How much did he quote?

I keep seeing you use the term "micro-chip." Is that a common term with blades? When I hear it I think of something in a computer.

Originally Posted by adjustme69

Yeah Lee.....Thos Sta-Sharp's are really lousy. Wouldn't own one ever, never, nyet, no-no, now way, no how. Rusty edges. Hard to hone. Micro-chips from hell. Lynn

Maybe he is too lazy/tired/in weekend mood to fully type "microscopic chip on the mirror edge of the blade".

Hoekie

Originally Posted by HoekmanX

Maybe he is too lazy/tired/in weekend mood to fully type "microscopic chip on the mirror edge of the blade".

Hoekie

I was thinking of micronick.