Thread: Emerging Technologies to Consider for Straight Razors

Originally Posted by scarface

I'm certainly no metallurgist, but what are the effects of a magnetic field? Could molding the metal under a strong magnetic field induce a grain in the metal?

-whatever

-Lou

I believe the magnetic field is often used for induction heating of the feed stock

And I'm still waiting for someone to make me a razor made of tallonite!

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

And I'm still waiting for someone to make me a razor made of tallonite!

ahhh no thanks...
http://www.cutleryscience.com/review....html#talonite

"Summary : Talonite is useful as a blade material when very high corrosion resistance is desired. However the edge retention on cardboard was very low compared to tool steels (D2 and 10V), and the durabiity and sharpening time poor compared to high carbon stainless steels (ATS-34 and VG-10) cutting harder materials. No benefits were seen due to the promoted "lubricity" of talonite nor of its ability to retain aggression after losing a "razor edge", it fared worse than quality steels in that regard. Blunting of course is nonlinear in general so the rate of edge degredation slows down with any blade material with use"


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Here the website of a company in the MIM field with some good tech info.
It appears the parts are sintered for the final process......

I don't think a magnetic field intense enough would be economically available, but I'm no metalurgist either.
I think (that being a key word) a magnetic field may induce grain orientation when the metal is moulten and possibly hold it into solidification, but I really don;t know. I know the properties of hot roll versus cold roll, stamped versus forged versus cast/molded, and the basics for metal composition, but that's about it.

I don;t view MIM as an alternative to forging, but rather an alternative to standard molding techniques. It is far more advantagious than investment casting or poured casting in consistancy and production, just as injection plastic molding was.

<<< Why not change the offerings to suit just as they used to in times of old.....the same blade at different price points based on the scales and acutrements. If the basic blade can be sold for $50 then they should do so, and make additional profits from the upfitting just as many other industries do. Smith and Wesson are a prime example- base gun can be sent throught their custom shop. Gibson guitars makes basic models and custom models. >>>

I think this is already done to a large extent. The basic Dovo, up to about the $100 range is basically the same blade with different etching, scales or polish added to make the higher end versions. Thiers Issard is similar as well. A dealer can choose a blade design (hollow, half hollow, etc....) at a base price then add on polished sides and scale materials etc... to go high end. It allows the manufacturer to offer 20 models based on maybe 4 simple blanks.

I do this on my own strops. Whether the beginner model or the Best each uses the same leather with different degrees of hardware and labor to make the models. Even at the lowest end of the scale, razors or strops the consumer gets the good quality, just at lower levels of finish.

Tony

Originally Posted by Justme-

I think (that being a key word) a magnetic field may induce grain orientation when the metal is moulten and possibly hold it into solidification.

My, admittedly poor, memory, says metal, in molten state, looses it's magnetizable properties.

Ceramic seems, to me, too brittle (and dirricult to maintain)

I too think H1 would be an interesting experiment. It does, as indicated, work harden so the stock removal should create a nicely hardened razor. Maybe...

I would love to see some new vendors enter the market (Spyderco, Kershaw, Busse?) and try applying the knowledge they have from decades of making high quality knives to the straight razor. But most of them, it seems, already have full plates with knife production.

Ken

Originally Posted by scarface

I'm certainly no metallurgist, but what are the effects of a magnetic field? Could molding the metal under a strong magnetic field induce a grain in the metal?

-whatever

-Lou

Iron looses its magnetic properties above 70c, I don't know how this translates to high carbon steel, but we are still 99%+ iron, so it ain't looking good.

Originally Posted by heliguy

Iron looses its magnetic properties above 70c, I don't know how this translates to high carbon steel, but we are still 99%+ iron, so it ain't looking good.

Plain high carbon steel such as 1095 loses its magnatisim at about 1400 F.

I looked at MIM some time ago and what turned me off was that the "binder" material is not completely removed during the process. That may cause some problems with maintaining
an edge.

Probably the best advances will come when they routinely use some of the newer steels like ATS 34 or the CPM steels. I know that they are used in some custom razors and guys like them a lot.



Just my two cents,

I am thinking Endureem. I understand it holds it edge about 10X longer than Stainless steal. The only problem is that it is said to take on two fine an edge and be unsafe for use in razors. Anyone willing to try?

Mason