Thread: brands that hold an edge

Are there any particular brands, types of steel, or steel from different parts of the world that are known for holding an edge for longer periods of time or otherwise to have really durable edges? For example, it seems like every time I read something about vintage american razors there are comments about how well they hold an edge. Anyone have experiences with these or others?

I'm beginning to think that the thickness of my beard hair is contributing to my razors dulling rather quickly. Now, I realize that there are a number of things that can contribute to this, and I am in the process of eliminating variables (technique, preparation, stropping) to try to get more life out of an edge. For the purpose of this post, however, I'm just wondering if people have experienced any different brands or types of steel that produce edges which might last longer with a coarse beard.

Thanks!

I am not expert on this but I do know there are other variables too. Over polished to the point of being overheated razors loose their temper . You are likely to run into this with any razor. I will let the metal guys advise you on the best steels but anything from Germany is particularly good steel. I use Ducks and they are known to hold an edge and I have no complaints there, Some razors are designed for course wiry beards.
Others will say "it's hair, and although it may feel course it's still just hair."

If you haven't been at it long, it is more than likely something your doing rather than the steel.

I've been told that the GENCO fluidsteel model in particular holds an exceptional edge for a lengthy time and that's one of my favorite's. It's been true so far for my experience.

Originally Posted by Swerve

I've been told that the GENCO fluidsteel model in particular holds an exceptional edge for a lengthy time and that's one of my favorite's. It's been true so far for my experience.

Genco is one of those brands that I keep reading similar comments about. How wide is yours?

Puma hold an edge very well.

The razors in my rotation that hold their edges best are my 2 Schliepers and the Mappin & Webb; also very good in my experience are Heljestrand and E.A. Berg. Schliepers NOS are still available from Revisor.

I have a vintage M. Jung and it is one of my best razors. Holds the edge for what seems forever.

I am not sure about what everyone else means when the are talking about NY razors, but when I mention a NY being to Hold or Take an edge it is in reference to the fact that they have no issues going into the very high grits like say a Shapton 30k...

Longevity of an edge has to many variables to count, but I have noticed that the better one gets at doing their parts of the equation, the better the razor gets at holding an edge for a longer time, funny how that works out

Originally Posted by gssixgun

I am not sure about what everyone else means when the are talking about NY razors, but when I mention a NY being to Hold or Take an edge it is in reference to the fact that they have no issues going into the very high grits like say a Shapton 30k...

Longevity of an edge has to many variables to count, but I have noticed that the better one gets at doing their parts of the equation, the better the razor gets at holding an edge for a longer time, funny how that works out

Thanks, Glenn. I think I've read a couple of your posts related to NY razors (Genco, etc), and this clarification is very helpful. I also seem to be learning (the hard way, as usual) that improving my technique and stropping are the greatest variables to edge longevity. I actually just shaved with a razor that had been recently honed, which I was intentionally saving as a control razor. Since I had posted this thread, I figured it might be a good time to use it to get a better feel for the status of the edges on my other razors. The shave with this Wostenholm was very good, but it also told me that my others aren't as bad as I thought. In fact, I've made some significant strides in technique this week which seem to help- one has to do with skin stretching on ATG pass, the other has to do with angles and different razors. I'm finding that, because my first two razors were older and had thicker spines, I was using an angle with my newer full-hollow razors (which happen to have smaller spines) which was generally too shallow. A slightly steeper angle (on the WTG pass, at least) and better skin stretching have already led to better shaves. In the moment that I "discovered" this, I specifically recalled your shave test vid where you referred to "two spine widths" instead of a 30 degree angle- works like a charm!

It's funny how, no matter how many times we read these things, often we have to learn them on our own. Thanks so much to Glenn for all his great advice, and thanks to Zib for the great honing job on today's razor!

My Friodurs hold an edge quite a good while. Stainless steel seems to help with that. But if your beard is particularly tough, you might try a heavier Sheffield grind blade. They seem to plow through stubble with greater authority than hollow grinds. My Wade and Butcher FBU is like a squeegee when it comes to my shave.