Thread: Mythical Vintage Steel

Love that early stuff.

I have thought about this a bit since you posted it, so apparently it was truly thought provoking. It made me think of the Alfred Pendray story about him figuring out the wootz damascus steel. A craftsman and a true backyard tinkerer of the finest order. He is not alone, there are others around the world, in back yard workshops and barns, making handmade items and crucible steel. I’m my mind they are likely all figuring out old puzzles and creating their own artistry while imitating the past. The cottage industries have been getting stepped on by the large producers and pushed out of the market. I think that will become cyclical as large industry is relatively new in the history of man. Craftsman, tradesman, and hand made are all re-emerging. The idea of disposable is becoming distasteful in our modern era and the top quality products are returning to the shelf.
Thanks for the post, it did in fact get me thinking.
:-)

Originally Posted by Steel

I have heard the same thing Mark. Wade & Butcher comes to mind, among others. I wonder if all companies were like that? Another consideration is this piece pre-dates Wade & Butcher, Mappin Webb, etc. “hey days” by a few decades. Either way, it is truly amazing quality that was accomplished a long time ago by people with knowledge and skill and you can certainly replace ‘him’ with ‘them’.

100% agree, the quality of razors 150 plus years ago far surpass the likes of modern Dovo and Thiers Issard.

Mark-One thing that struck me in my travels around Europe and the UK was that virtually all of the really old buildings (Canterbury Cathedral, many old castles, etc. that are hundreds of years old) are either crumbling, or surrounded by scaffolding and workmen frantically trying to save them. I love that Europe is trying to preserve its cultural heritage, even as ultra-modern skyscrapers loom right beside them in many cases (as in London, for example). That many with unique archaic skills are making bank on this is also very cool.

And Shaun-It's interesting that you write "...the idea of disposable is becoming distasteful in our modern era..." Being literally surrounded by young people all day, I see that, especially in the more thoughtful ones. They still love their smart-phones, yes, but also love old record players, old well-made clothing, anything hand-crafted, and they HATE plastic. My 30-year old niece just grilled me via text for my grandmother's old-fashioned cornbread recipe, and I see young people taking up old crafts, and yes, even occasionally, wielding the straight razor. There is hope that people will hang on to some old ways in spite of (or maybe because of!) the corrosively dehumanizing impacts of technology.

Originally Posted by ScoutHikerDad

Mark-One thing that struck me in my travels around Europe and the UK was that virtually all of the really old buildings (Canterbury Cathedral, many old castles, etc. that are hundreds of years old) are either crumbling, or surrounded by scaffolding and workmen frantically trying to save them. I love that Europe is trying to preserve its cultural heritage, even as ultra-modern skyscrapers loom right beside them in many cases (as in London, for example). That many with unique archaic skills are making bank on this is also very cool

The cost of the restoration to the Palace of Westminster is estimated to be around £4bn!

Originally Posted by RezDog

I have thought about this a bit since you posted it, so apparently it was truly thought provoking. It made me think of the Alfred Pendray story about him figuring out the wootz damascus steel. A craftsman and a true backyard tinkerer of the finest order. He is not alone, there are others around the world, in back yard workshops and barns, making handmade items and crucible steel. I’m my mind they are likely all figuring out old puzzles and creating their own artistry while imitating the past. The cottage industries have been getting stepped on by the large producers and pushed out of the market. I think that will become cyclical as large industry is relatively new in the history of man. Craftsman, tradesman, and hand made are all re-emerging. The idea of disposable is becoming distasteful in our modern era and the top quality products are returning to the shelf.
Thanks for the post, it did in fact get me thinking.
:-)

This is just another aspect of this hobby. Indeed, there are many cool things about it and there is something for just about everyone. I think you are absolutely right about the circular trend! History has a way of repeating itself and this is no different.

I am not against technology and am using it to communicate now! However, there is definite limitations. Not many people can sit down at a fire and knock out a perfect blade the first time or even come close. With modern forges, tools, equipment, and the internet many can come much closer right out of the gates. Even then you have to put your time in to really perfect it. There is no substitute for experience.

I was amazed that a razor this old was so capable and it reminds me of ancient Japanese steel. There is much lore and mythology involved with that but also some excellent steel. I think Sheffield also enjoyed some excellent steel. Oz pointed to Swedish steel which was renowned and still is. I am proud to own a piece of this Sheffield steel from back then that can shave the socks off my neighbors cat! My Wade & Butcher FBU’s don’t seem to be far removed although they are much bigger and in comparison even a bit clunky.

Like Bob said, I like the traditional design in newer and custom razors. They did have practicality down pat for the most part.

Mike, it was your comments in other threads that got me thinking about all of this yesterday. We have discussed before that there is something special about this period of razors.

In the olden days artisans relied on their eyes much more than we do.The colour of the steel rather than the reading of a thermometer told them where they were at and what to do next. I am not sure whether there are similar books in English but if you read French and you are interested in olden-days craftsmanship you can read here how razors and other blades were made. Mr Perret mentions razors and how to create their particular qualities a few times.
https://books.google.de/books?id=yGl...page&q&f=false

Several points here. Much of what is known about metals and elements has been known for hundreds of years. Also in many cases iron ore just happened to come from the ground with the right mix of minerals producing some of these legendary implements by serendipity. Also things were more handmade and crafted but still those old fashioned methods can't hold a candle to modern precision methods.

A 1930 Packard might be built like a tank and have hand tufted seats and wood trim and white wall tires and 50 lbs of lacquer paint but would you really want to drive one every day and have to maintain it and get into a serious wreck in it?

As far as buildings go even the pyramids are crumbling. Nothing can hold up to mother nature and the forces of erosion. Just look at the surface of the moon. Without erosion that's what we would look like.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Also things were more handmade and crafted but still those old fashioned methods can't hold a candle to modern precision methods.

Says the man who still uses a brush and soap to lather.

do you mean that my monument that I place will not last forever?