Thread: Anyone have any info on the AOS rebranded TI razor?

Originally Posted by dngrspapercut

What are the main complaints about the C135 steel?

I own 3 TI razors with C135 steel. No complaints from me. In fact one of them gave me an incredible shave this morning.

Originally Posted by dngrspapercut

What are the main complaints about the C135 steel?

Difficult to hone, and chippy.

I read that the hardness of that C135 is a bit more than most other blades. Most blades at 62 rockwell rating, the C135 at about 64 rockwell rating. Is this the issue with trying to hone it?

And I'm assuming the difficulty would only be for a newbie like more trying to learn how to hone for the first time. I assume that most pros would be able to work around these difficulties?

Sorry in advance for the million questions. I'm pretty new to this hobby. I feel like that five year old kid that asks "but why? but why" to every answer.

Originally Posted by Martin103

Difficult to hone, and chippy.

I had one of mine that was cutting me about midway down my jaw everytime I used it. Under magnification I saw a small chip near the end of the blade. Breadknifed it and started from scratch, and it shaves really great now. Was no big deal. I am not a "honemeister" and in fact have only been honing less than 6 months. Just sayin'

Originally Posted by Martin103

Difficult to hone, and chippy.

I don't think so - I have several and while they will chip if overhoned or honed with too much pressure or torque (particularly on Shaptons), I have never had an issue with chipping. My Fili Inox... now that chips.

Compared to other mass-produced modern razors, I think they have the best grind consistency and quality - I've never run into one that was unhonable... I have several Dovos that have very bad geometry straight from the factory.

-john

Originally Posted by ocelot27

I don't think so - I have several and while they will chip if overhoned or honed with too much pressure or torque (particularly on Shaptons), I have never had an issue with chipping. My Fili Inox... now that chips.

Compared to other mass-produced modern razors, I think they have the best grind consistency and quality - I've never run into one that was unhonable... I have several Dovos that have very bad geometry straight from the factory.

-john

There are countless example on this forum of knowledgeable people having problems honing the C135 especially the Silverwing trademark razors. Seems like the steel respond better to synthetic hones and CBN.

Originally Posted by Martin103

There are countless example on this forum of knowledgeable people having problems honing the C135 especially the Silverwing trademark razors. Seems like the steel respond better to synthetic hones and CBN.

Wasn't trying to be contentious - I think that came across the wrong way... When I first started honing I had two TI's and spent a lot of time with them - now I have 6 or 7 in my collection. I use Shaptons for removing metal and mostly JNats for finishing - I agree they are chippy on the higher grit Shaptons but not something that can't be overcome. I spend a lot of time examining edges with microscopy and tend to be annoyed by even the tiniest nanochip. I think it's a great alloy for razors - takes and holds an edge very well and seems to be very corrosion resistant as well.

JMO

-john

I received a dovo for Christmas no problems at all with it...is there something I should be looking for in the geometry of the blade?

My comments earlier about geometry where stating a preference for TIs. The comments about flaking chipping etc are in reference to the steel TI uses and isn't applicable to Dovos. TI uses a steel with high chromium content that is very hard. dovo uses several different steels, but I don't think they use c135.

I have seen weird geometry issues with both DOVO and TI. I had one TI that was really out of whack. It was supposed to be around 6/8 half-hollow, but it was more like a 7/8 plus and it was more like an extra hollow grind. The spine had a slight smile but the bevel was straight as an arrow. Of course, I have seen some that looked great and were capable of shaving. They were not great shaves, but a decent shave. So they need to be brought to standards that I have come to appreciate.