Thread: Damascus, is thiers the best, or wacker?

Okay I am a little confused when it comes to Damascus. I have found two manufacturers that make them, one claiming the other is not as good.

I was initially interested in one of theirs issards damascus blades, shown here below at 899.00. Interested meaning "drooling". Picture shown below.



This is the writeup about the razor.

The Only Genuine 100% Hand Hammer Forged Damascus Steel razors being made anywhere in the World. Produced in Thiers-Issard's own in-house forge by a single skilled craftsman employing the traditional labor-intensive hand hammer forging techniques refined by centuries of experience. Each razor is created from scratch, not simply ground out of commercially available imitation damascus steel (also often called damasteel) knife stock as are other lesser quality razors. Available in very limited quantity!

Genuine Damascus Steel, also known as "Wootz" steel, was developed for use in the manufacture of the world's finest quality swords, knives, daggers, and other combatant equipment long before the advent of today's modern stainless steels. Long respected for its superior hardness and edge holding ability, it was feared on the battle field for its ability to shear off the blade of an opponents lesser quality sword.

When Genuine Damascus Steel is used as a blade in shaving razors the edge that can be attained is absolutely incomparable. Routine stropping will keep the edge fresh for years and the quality of the shave in terms of closeness and comfort is beyond description.

Due to the hardness of the steel, no blade etching or high polishing is possible. Instead the natural graining produced as a result of the forging, which is called "Mohammed's Ladder", is left evident in the darkened steel of the Full Hollow Ground Round Tip 5/8 blade, and only the blade's edge is highly polished. File jimps on the underside of the shank provide a secure grip. A truly striking effect and a thing of uncommon beauty. Due to the individual forging, grinding and shaping, no two of these very special razors are ever alike.

The finished blade is mounted to a specially selected Genuine Blond Horn Handle and comes in a custom-made leather case.

Whether as an addition to a valued collection or used as a daily shaver, this very special razor is certain to exceed your expectations.

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The Next Damascus razor i saw was a wacker. Image shown below.



Here is the writeup on the wacker.

This Damascus steel straight razor was ground from a billet normally used in making world class Damascus steel show knives. It was ground by the last independent Master Razor Grinder in Solingen, Germany. The steel is composed of 120 layers of two similar Eishärtung (cryogenically hardened), INOX high carbon stain resistant steels folded and forge welded together. It is hardened to 63 on the Rockwell hardness scale. This razor is priced well below comparable French manufactured Damascus steel razors but quality is better. The Handles are genuine horn.

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Both of these razors are priced at 899.00. I originally liked the Thiers, it just looks more rugged and badass . But the wacker writeup is saying it is better quality than the thiers damascus. But when you look at the pattern in the wacker, that has to be commercially produced and not hand made. So my question to you guys is.

Which one do you guys think is better. ? I want them both hehe, but if someone gave you a choice between the two, and you couldnt take the money and go buy something else, which one would you choose?
Oh one more thing, dont make the decision based on if it will be collectable, base it on which one you think will be the best shaver.