Thread: Probably a strange question

Alright this might be kind of a strange question, these things pop into my head when I'm running. Does a razor loose its edge over time? For example a razor was put away shave ready 100 years ago would it still shave? There are so many variables but lets assume that the razor was put away clean, stored indoors in the typical mid-western house, not super humid but not super dry. The question really is academic but I'm just curious what everyone thinks? Keep reading for how I came up with this idea.

Recently I found my great grandfathers razor and after testing the edge it wasn't dull but defiantly not sharp enough to shave. Knowing the history of this razor and the fact it had a chip in the blade I can say with a fair degree of confidence it probably hasn't been used for shaving since the 1930s. The part I don't know is if it was used for other things like a letter opener, I really doubt it but can say with 100% certainty it hasn't just resided in its box for the last 80 to 90 years.

Yes the blade gets dull over time. Internal stresses in the metal change over time and cause the microscopic edge to bend and curl, plus micro oxidation.

Or an example:
My grandfather sharpened and oiled his pocket knife every week religiously. When he died, my grandmother put the knife in her jewelry box. 15 years later, she died and my mom gave me his pocket knife. There was no rust on the blade or the bevel that I could see even under magnification. The blade was also dull, not butter knife dull, but definitely not as sharp as it should have been considering that there is a 99% likelihood that it was honed to sharp before not being stored for 15 years.

I remember reading an old article where they mentioned a definite deterioration of the microscopic edge over a few days, that is if it is not oiled. Perhaps an oiled blade can hold an edge for years? Not sure.

Here’s an ancillary question, what was considered sharp back then? There were a lot of razors and shavers. We’re they all experts at honing? Did they all have a series of hones, tape, microscopes, and diamond paste? My father was fascinated with knife sharpening. And I can’t tell you how many knives he botched up on stones of unknown grit that were dished deeper than a soup bowl. I don’t know what fifty or a hundred years does to an edge. But I’d like to know what it was like before it was laid down.

I have bought sealed NOS razors that date from the 50s-60s that were shave ready out of the box.

Most of them still needed a good stropping but no stone was required for a very decent shave.

Your grandfather's razor could have likely achieved dullness before it was stored away. People didn't care to collect and preserve their razors like we do. They were often tossed away like a used toothbrush.

If the razor is stored in good conditions, oiled and wrapped then it can keep a shaving edge for over 50 years.

As far OCDshaver's question about what was considered sharp back then, you would be surprised how sharp of an edge a proficient honer can achieve with basic tools that have been around for hundreds of years. In the 1800's they used stones like coticules and pasted strops and they worked well. Men would often get shaved at the barber so honing was not their concern.

To quote from this really interesting article from The Atlantic

straight-razor shaving remained a craft secret, largely confined to barbers. And home-shavers lacked many of the materials necessary for a comfortable shave—from clean water and good lighting to quality accoutrements like creams, oils, and brushes.

The advantage we have today is that we can share our knowledge on the internet which in turn gives the average consumer a better chance at succeeding on their own.

Originally Posted by Badgister

I have bought sealed NOS razors that date from the 50s-60s that were shave ready out of the box.

Most of them still needed a good stropping but no stone was required for a very decent shave.

Your grandfather's razor could have likely achieved dullness before it was stored away. People didn't care to collect and preserve their razors like we do. They were often tossed away like a used toothbrush.

If the razor is stored in good conditions, oiled and wrapped then it can keep a shaving edge for over 50 years.

As far OCDshaver's question about what was considered sharp back then, you would be surprised how sharp of an edge a proficient honer can achieve with basic tools that have been around for hundreds of years. In the 1800's they used stones like coticules and pasted strops and they worked well. Men would often get shaved at the barber so honing was not their concern.

To quote from this really interesting article from The Atlantic



The advantage we have today is that we can share our knowledge on the internet which in turn gives the average consumer a better chance at succeeding on their own.

I'm not saying they didn't have the means to do it. What I'm really questioning is how many folks DID do it. If the SR was the multi blade cartridge of its day, how many guys were shaving on neglected one that should have been replaced (honed) six months ago? I bring up my fathers attempts to sharpen knives because it is not a skill you are born with. But like it or not, you didn't have many options. You either went the President Grant route, saw a barber, or muddled through with your own SR. The barber was the most practical choice. So those razors that are found in the attic may not have been in the best shape when they were laid there is my thinking.

Originally Posted by OCDshaver

I'm not saying they didn't have the means to do it. What I'm really questioning is how many folks DID do it. If the SR was the multi blade cartridge of its day, how many guys were shaving on neglected one that should have been replaced (honed) six months ago? I bring up my fathers attempts to sharpen knives because it is not a skill you are born with. But like it or not, you didn't have many options. You either went the President Grant route, saw a barber, or muddled through with your own SR. The barber was the most practical choice. So those razors that are found in the attic may not have been in the best shape when they were laid there is my thinking.

Early shaving manuals such as " Shaving Made Easy" suggest that the home shaver likely struggled quite a bit . My guess would be that the majority of home shavers ( without servants) didn't really know what they were doing and were likely shaving with razors that needed a good honing.

Thanks everyone for weighing in! The scientist in me says there are too many uncontrollable variables to make a definite conclusion, but it is interesting to think about all the same. I do often wonder what straight razor users 100+ years ago would think about the effort, money, and time we spend collecting, restoring, and using straight razors.

Originally Posted by CamaroZ28

I do often wonder what straight razor users 100+ years ago would think about the effort, money, and time we spend collecting, restoring, and using straight razors.

Probably wonder why we are bothering with it all instead of using something dead easy like a cart razor. They never had the choice.

Bob