Thread: Sheffield Steel?

Thanks for the replies guys. Now back to the original question. Is there something that you fans of Sheffield steel do differently than the honemeisters that I've tried and my own efforts?

TYIA

Glad that you liked it.
I haven't honed that razor any differently than I do any other razor these days, 1000->5000->8000 naniwa. I don't remember whether I've used the 12000 naniwa after that but then I've ran it on an escher, then stropped it on a canvas strop, then on leather, and call it ready to shave.

Wow, alot of great info in this thread. I have about a dozen Sheffield blades, all heavy grinds, mostly wedges with minimal grind. To date the only one I've not been able to get good shaves out of has been a W&B feather edge. It's an unusual concave grind. It shaves OK but nothing like the others. Shame because it looks very cool. I use DMTs for bevel setting and polish on 3M film. Since they're primarily smiling wedges setting the bevel can be a nightmare but once I get a good bevel I've had no problems getting a smooth shaving edge.

Is there any chance the blade in question could have been overheated or something to ruin the temper?

The only thing that I can think of is that perhaps Sheffields like a firmer hand? I am not the most delicate of men, and am probably a lot heavier-handed on the hones than a lot of guys. I also hone two-handed until the polishing stage, which could add extra pressure. All pure speculation of course, and thinking about it probably does not make a lot of sense - no matter what the steel a light touch should give a finer edge ...

If it helps, my usual (bevel-setting) honing progression goes something like 1.2K diamond plate, Norton 4/8, Escher/Shapton 16, Asagi. Nothing really unusual.

Perhaps it just really does come down to personal preference with this stuff. I know when I first started my first honing experience was a Dovo Best Quality vs a Bengall. The Bengall honed up much easier for me at that time, and it may have coloured my judgement on the two types from that point on. I like to think I am fair-minded about these things, but you cannot discount those formative impressions I suppose.

James.

I love Sheffield's all brands and types, I love the feel of the steel, for some reason they always produce a buttery feel shave for me. Soligen and esp Swedish stahl, is very brittle and harsh to me sand FWE blades.

That being said, I'll say Sheffields tend to be the most misshapen of blades, either frowning or smiling, I guess that's because their so damn good to shave with they've seen the most use over the past 200 years.

I normally have to hone and hone using rolling X, circles, and other patterns to get a perfect edge, but in the end the edge off of these razors is superb imho.

My only advice is to keep honing on each stone longer then you think, wait for "that feeling" the place where the blade feels like its sucking into the hone, then move on the next stone

Cheers
David

I think that I'm really leaning towards Gugi's observation that Sheffield steel isn't consistent across all the brands. I've felt one example that was great (Bengal from Gugi... Thanks again ), several that were marginal (meaning shaved ok, but didn't feel great on the face), and a few that were not that great

Keeping in mind that it wasn't just my honing being evaluated, I think Gugi's is the most sensible explanation to my mind. The fact that MParker, and my other friend (who hasn't chimed in so I'll not "out"), made similar observations, holds a lot of sway with me.

Originally Posted by Sirshavesalot

I love Sheffield's all brands and types, I love the feel of the steel, for some reason they always produce a buttery feel shave for me. Soligen and esp Swedish stahl, is very brittle and harsh to me sand FWE blades.

That being said, I'll say Sheffields tend to be the most misshapen of blades, either frowning or smiling, I guess that's because their so damn good to shave with they've seen the most use over the past 200 years.

I normally have to hone and hone using rolling X, circles, and other patterns to get a perfect edge, but in the end the edge off of these razors is superb imho.

My only advice is to keep honing on each stone longer then you think, wait for "that feeling" the place where the blade feels like its sucking into the hone, then move on the next stone

Cheers
David

I am surprised to read anything negative about Sheffield razors, too. If I had to live with only one type, it would absolutely be the Sheffields! I cannot say anything bad about them.

I love them all...