Thread: Fine naturals and steel quality

Afternoon!

I'm reading a post on the Special Stone thread and need a little clarification. I'll post the quote first then ask my question. Thanks in advance.

Dale; to answer your question, Yes it could be better than an Escher edge. First you have to learn how to use the stone properly. Then you have to have really good razor steel. This is why I wanted to hone your Le Jaguar for you. You have to shave with it to believe it. Most razors can not take this fine of a stone. The edge will crumble. I have killed many.
MIke

I understand this applies to all fine natural stones.

So, what exactly is really good razor steel? I have assortments of Solingen's,, a few Sheffields... I'm pretty new to this sport, so please understand that I'm not intending to start a controversial thread, but I'd like to get to the bottom of it. I'd rather avert the potential for destruction should I acquire a fine natural stone.

Very Respectfully,

Simon
ps-I asked the question somewhere else, but I like a diverse selection of opinions and I can think of no better place to pop the question.

My thinking is that these very fine stones you talk about in this thinking "Special Stones" are not only finishing stones by their properies, they are also able to remove a lot of material/metal on a short time frame or other way around with some strokes....so this could be the explanation that on "not so hard steel" the material is moved away to fast...there was a recommandation from Mike only do some strokes and not too much....

Yeah. Listening to him describe the deterioration of the edges after X number of strokes in the BH reviews had me minding what I was doing with my BH. Particularly, since I don't have magnification beyond a hand held 30x jeweler's loupe. I believe he was using 100x.

Still, the razors I do have(which aren't that many), I don't *think* are "poor" quality. It is obviouos to me that the Chinese metals are junk...

what exactly is really good razor steel?

Japanese, Swedish, almost all NY, most Solingen, most Sheffields, will stand up to very fine naturals. There is a sweet spot of hardness, temper, and grain size. If any of those are off the steel will not be capable of the best edge.

BTW what thread are you referring to?

Jonathan

One is here on SRP its a mixed up Thread:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/showthread.php?t=92323

Yep. That one. I'm still not done with the thread. It's an exhaustive, but interestingly informative excersize.

Simon i will put up a youtube video working with a kitchen knife...you can see how fast steel is removed with this stone, quite comparable to some Japanese Stones (which i do not own)...

http://youtu.be/98Pp_DnceXI