Thread: Vintage vs modern straights?

I think of some of the higher quality razors, TI for example, the steel may be of a better quality than that of the razors made in the 1700s, 1800s, but when we get into the 1900s advances in metallurgy were already beginning. Kayser-Ellison, Bohler, among others were modern steels that were probably purer than the stuff that was being produced in the earlier days. OTOH, I'm no expert on steel quality. Someone like Mike Blue could probably give a better perspective on this.

Years ago he and Josh Earl, a custom razor maker at the time, got a bunch of old damaged blades donated for the purpose of analysing the steel. I donated an old Cattaragus with a large chip, but I can't recall exactly how far the project went in terms of coming up with any conclusions. I do think that the workmanship on some of the vintage production was more consistently better than what is coming out today.

From what I hear through the grapevine TI is sort of hit and miss in terms of the grinding. The old grinders are dyeing away and younger people are seemingly not coming in to take their place, or so I've heard. OTOH, I've go a dozen TIs and they are some of my favorite razors. From a cost standpoint if you go with vintage that is not a 'hot' collectible, such as Filarmonica, or some of the dubl ducks, but an obscure Solingen, Sheffield, or Swedish brand, you'll bet a fine shaving instrument that is going to be less expensive than a new TI in many cases.

Razor brands can take on a cult status and when they do the prices can become astronomical. The main thing with any of the vintage razors is to look for as good a condition as you can get. The closer to new the better.