Thread: Micro holes on modern production razor?

Pictures would be very helpful. There are so many questions I would like to ask...but pictures first, please.

Originally Posted by Mike Blue

Pictures would be very helpful. There are so many questions I would like to ask...but pictures first, please.

So sorry I would love to I don't have a micro scope.

Okay, are these holes visible with the naked eye? You've eliminated rust as a likely contender. Your shaving rituals sound more than adequate to prevent that. It sounds as if the blade shaves well (?).

Are these finished/polished blades, when did you notice them? Was this discovery with a 60x view by chance or was there something else going on?

It could be a chance defect in the steel from smelting. Therefore it was merely an unlucky segment of the parent bar of steel. It happens sometimes. It could be scale that didn't get entirely removed but this is not very likely because this sounds like a ground and polished blade. Things like scale should have been long removed.

It's very difficult to offer you more than a guess without seeing the material.

It might be helpful to know the company that smelts/manufactures the O-1. If that's not proprietary information...where was it purchased?

Originally Posted by Mike Blue

Okay, are these holes visible with the naked eye? You've eliminated rust as a likely contender. Your shaving rituals sound more than adequate to prevent that.

Are these finished/polished blades, when did you notice them? Was this discovery with a 60x view by chance or was there something else going on?

It could be a chance defect in the steel from smelting. Therefore it was merely an unlucky segment of the parent bar of steel. It happens sometimes. It could be scale that didn't get entirely removed but this is not very likely because this sounds like a ground and polished blade. Things like scale should have been long removed.

It's very difficult to offer you more than a guess without seeing the material.

The razors have a SS 12k finish on them so they are mirror close. I noticed tiny spots on the bevel with the naked eye when drying off the blade in between stones, then investigated with the 60X loop to my shock micro holes. I would say they are in the middle of matte and polished finish. They shave well but the edge has not met the holes yet. I honestly never looked that close at the bevel since there was never any presence of rust or even a water spot. Thanks

Are they casting their blanks? Porosity is very common in casting.

Originally Posted by 32t

Are they casting their blanks? Porosity is very common in casting.

I think they get bar stock steel.

I took a photo through a loupe once. You have to get the light right and it helps if you have 3 hands, but it is possible. The trick was getting the camera (using close up setting) at the right distance from the loupe, and keeping the loupe the right distance from the blade. Wooooo it's even hard to type :<0) If you have a small eye piece on your loop forget it.

Originally Posted by dshaves

I would say they are in the middle of matte and polished finish. They shave well but the edge has not met the holes yet.

I do not see any holes on your pictures, but here's what can happen:

• moisture can get trapped in them then oxidize the steel and expand them
• if they don't go through the middle of the blade by the time they reach the edge you may have honed past the hole and have a plain solid steel
• if they reach the edge you'll have to hone past them to a clean straight edge again