Thread: Anyone have experience with CTS-XHP

Originally Posted by Vasilis

...but, try to test its toughness, and they brake almost like glass.

Exactly the problem that has plagued blade makers for centuries. It's very difficult to get an optimum trade off of these two features. Hard and the edge lasts longer but they fracture, softer and they are tougher but less resistant to dulling. Each individual steel, even batch to batch can vary slightly. The steel chemistry does look interesting, but when the company likens it to 440C or D2, my question is what was wrong with those two good old steels? Marketing tweaks?

Time will tell if the new alloy is an improvement and by how much over the older alloys commonly used. Always worth experimenting though, otherwise you would never get any advancements. Thanks to the OP and all who have participated in this thread so far, I am learning a lot from it.

Bob

Originally Posted by Birnando

This sounds interesting.
Being a hone-nut I wouldn't mind terribly the added time.
What I get from this statement though, is that you seem to feel that this "super-steel" (I hate that expression) somehow takes, and potentially holds, a better edge than any carbon-steel razor?

I do have quite a few SS razors, and while most of them are really good, I haven't ever come across a ss razor that actually surpasses a good carbon razor.
They seem to loose the very crispness they can get off the hones/strops quite quickly for then to settle down on about 98% that will last forever..

FWIW

EXACTLY!!

That is precisely what I expected...and perhaps that is why I was selected to try this razor out.

I have only had it for 5 shaves so far after I got/honed it. I kid you not, it still has a keener edge than my favorite razors have fresh off the hones.

(I also dislike the "super steel" as a term...all steels are super in their own right and some "super" steels really underwhelm me)

I will give updates as it "wears" but so far I am eating crow with regard to my previous disdain for stainless steel...and the luster it holds even when I'm careless about wiping the blade has me smitten. I still maintain that I don't *need* stainless because I am capable of being responsible...but I could grow to appreciate this luxury

Edit to clarify: I'm not stating that it is better than *any* carbon steel used in razors. I am not EVEN going to claim to have tried them all

However, it seems to achieve and (so far) hold a keener edge than the specimens *I* have honed/used.

Originally Posted by BobH

Time will tell if the new alloy is an improvement and by how much over the older alloys commonly used. Always worth experimenting though, otherwise you would never get any advancements. Thanks to the OP and all who have participated in this thread so far, I am learning a lot from it.

Bob

And thank you for your interest. I love learning, and appreciate others that feel the same way.

This experience has shown me the error of my arrogance about stainless steels...and I love that I was able to have it and be wrong

XHP while close to both D2 and 440c is made with the powder steel process and keeps the carbides from clumping (they can then brake out and cause edge issues at the 1 micron edge level)
it hones much better then i woudl have thought way nicer then the cpm154 i have been using. the first thoughts i had when grinding it post HT was that it didnt get hard (had it tested and it was 62rc ) my tester (this passaround ) was smoother then any of my other razors but i have not tried a great deal of them. i wanted to get the right people that swear SS cant make a great razor and see what there thought are. i know they will be the hardest judges to get feedback from. this razo will be making a few more stopps and gettign more feedback

Originally Posted by Mike Blue

The steel chemistry does look interesting, but when the company likens it to 440C or D2, my question is what was wrong with those two good old steels? Marketing tweaks?

With just a fraction or irrelevant alloys, you get another 'wondersteel' that can be marketed for a year or so at twice the price. It's like the 'new and improved taste' which is still the same as the old taste.

Originally Posted by L R Harner

i wanted to get the right people that swear SS cant make a great razor and see what there thought are. i know they will be the hardest judges to get feedback from. this razo will be making a few more stopps and gettign more feedback

Oh it can make a great razor.

But you have to use expensive steel, go through a great bother and perform complex heat treatment to end up with something that is no better than equivalent to something made from simple carbon steel, using simple processes and simple heat treatment.

I think some might argue the notion that it is no better than equivalent to simple carbon steel. Not all, but some.

If this were always about simplicity, we would all be using recycled vintage blades...why treat any steel when you can buy an old vintage for a few dollars and hone it up? There is no right answer that works for everyone, thus the debate between vintage and modern customs stems. In the knife world the analogous debate is carbon vs "super steel". No wrong answers, just options available to those searching.

Personally, I like both the simple classics and the modern hotrods.

Personally, I disliked the idea of stainless razors before this experience...I'm happy to report that I am open to change even after some lackluster experiences

I'm interested in seeing how it compares to standard steels as well. I know perfectly well I can get a good razor from pretty much any old simple high-carbon steel, but that's about as exciting as generic bakelite scales. Nice to get something different, and even better to get something outstanding.

Originally Posted by Bruno

Oh it can make a great razor.

But you have to use expensive steel, go through a great bother and perform complex heat treatment to end up with something that is no better than equivalent to something made from simple carbon steel, using simple processes and simple heat treatment.

Out of curiosity, have you used one of Mr. Harner's blades from the steel in question, or have you done much experimentation with it? Your rejection seems rather matter-of-fact.