Thread: German vs. English Steel

Hey all,

So I'm not sure where (or if) I read this, but is Sheffield steel typically softer than German steel? I have a handful of German razors, 3 bokers, 1 dovo, 1 dubl duck, 1 ERN, and 1 wm. elliott & co, and only 1 Sheffield razor, a W&B Special.

I've been having a lot of trouble honing the Wm. Elliot & co. razor, and the other German razors took a bit of time also. But I remember when I honed the Wade and Butcher from scratch, it was so easy! It took on an edge like nobody's business with no problem. Is this just my razor, or are Sheffield razors typically faster/easier to hone?

Thanks for the replies!

I'm not sure where the steel came from on the older Sheffields but I've always gotten a kick out of all of the Solingen blades that are labeled as having Sheffield steel as a selling point. I commented on that in a thread once and someone said that the British got their steel from Sweden. I guess someone who knows what they are talking about will come along.

+1

I love the "Sheffield Silber Stahl" advertisements on the razors. Its great.

I have always found Sheffield steel more to my liking than German. I flatter myself I can tell the difference both on my face and on the hones. But it is hard to quantify exactly what it is. Perhaps the Sheffield is softer, I'm not really sure.

James.

I get fantastic, long-lasting edges on Sheffield steel blades.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I'm not sure where the steel came from on the older Sheffields but I've always gotten a kick out of all of the Solingen blades that are labeled as having Sheffield steel as a selling point. I commented on that in a thread once and someone said that the British got their steel from Sweden. I guess someone who knows what they are talking about will come along.

That's too funny, so you wouldn't know what you were getting!

I've been working on that Wm. Elliot & Co for a few hours today, and I finally got it to where I wanted it! I'm going to shave with it tonight, let's hope it shaves as smoothly as my Wade and Butcher did last night...but that's really hard to top.

I actually want to get some more Sheffield razors in the future to test out this theory...Any excuse to practice honing right?

Originally Posted by StraightRazorDave

That's too funny, so you wouldn't know what you were getting!

I've been working on that Wm. Elliot & Co for a few hours today, and I finally got it to where I wanted it! I'm going to shave with it tonight, let's hope it shaves as smoothly as my Wade and Butcher did last night...but that's really hard to top.

I actually want to get some more Sheffield razors in the future to test out this theory...Any excuse to practice honing right?

I've had a similar experience. Some of the old Sheffieds I've honed have been easy and others have been a challenge. I have put some aside getting tired of messing with them. You've inspired me to get them out and take another whack at them. Maybe my skills have improved since I last fooled with them.