Thread: What are the main difference between Vintage and modern steels?

I don't really know anything about recycling steel but I know that the brass these days really sucks. Some is too soft and some is too hard and there doesn't seem to be very good consistency to it. Also lots of hard spots in it.

Add to that the fact that a.lot of it is supposedly made from a powder and a binder (this information from another locksmith friend whose son is a metallurgist).

Lead is poisinous and has to be removed from brass. At least for water pipes.

On FB

You asked

Anyone else feels modern-day Solingen steel to be (generally) "softer" than vintage Solingen steel??

I answered

Glen
Admin
Top contributor


No
Just the opposite from my point of view
I find the vintage steels to be softer if anything at all
The biggest difference I observe is the quality of the grinds, especially during the “Golden Age” of SRs
Those Grinds are superb and are the standard of excellence to be chased

You MUST compare same same

An NOS or at least Mint vintage razors -vs- a New production for it to be meaningful in the least ...

Let's also keep in mind that the Vintage brands from their factories were usually at Shave Ready or close, not like some of the Dovo and TI frowns of recent years

To be really clear there isn't all that much differences to be found except in two areas, The Quality of the grinds and the Quality of the Factory Honing

Vintage has a clear advantage over the new production

JMHO and a fair bit of experience honing them all over the years

Addendum:

I noted the C135 / Carbonsong TI discussions

Let's not ignore that they changed them

I believe it was the second year TI backed off the 66 RHC target, and settled on the slightly lower 63-64 RHC after feedback.. This is still up there, in comparison, but that 66 RHC was way up there

So even with today's Tech the company just sometimes has an idea that doesn't pan out so well

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Addendum:

I noted the C135 / Carbonsong TI discussions

Let's not ignore that they changed them

I believe it was the second year TI backed off the 66 RHC target, and settled on the slightly lower 63-64 RHC after feedback.. This is still up there, in comparison, but that 66 RHC was way up there

So even with today's Tech the company just sometimes has an idea that doesn't pan out so well

Glen, thank you very much for your time and share of knowledge here and on FB.

Regarding the C135, I got lost there. You mean, they changed it for a slightly softer steel in recent years?
When exactly did this happen? Is there somewhere else where I can read about it?

Thanks again!

Originally Posted by RezDog

My thought on why vintage razors commonly take more effort to hone. Bevel set. Typically with vintage razors there is no original bevel remaining and it must be created. The exception to this will be NOS razors which still sport their factory bevel. Restoration honing is much more extensive and requires a lot more effort than a touch or refresh.I have done a fair bit of all of the above and I think this answers what I think you are asking.

My experiences were completely opposite. I picked up two vintage ones recently and set the bevels 4 times and got both shave ready in almost no time, much easier than my new Dovo Astrale. I'm wondering how long they can hold the edges though.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

On FB

You asked

Anyone else feels modern-day Solingen steel to be (generally) "softer" than vintage Solingen steel??

I answered

Glen
Admin
Top contributor


No
Just the opposite from my point of view
I find the vintage steels to be softer if anything at all
The biggest difference I observe is the quality of the grinds, especially during the “Golden Age” of SRs
Those Grinds are superb and are the standard of excellence to be chased

You MUST compare same same

An NOS or at least Mint vintage razors -vs- a New production for it to be meaningful in the least ...

Let's also keep in mind that the Vintage brands from their factories were usually at Shave Ready or close, not like some of the Dovo and TI frowns of recent years

To be really clear there isn't all that much differences to be found except in two areas, The Quality of the grinds and the Quality of the Factory Honing

Vintage has a clear advantage over the new production

JMHO and a fair bit of experience honing them all over the years

Me too feel vintage razor steels are softer but the grinds seem to be much better. Picked up two vintage razors, neither need to worry about the spines or edges etc.

Originally Posted by mrjin

My experiences were completely opposite. I picked up two vintage ones recently and set the bevels 4 times and got both shave ready in almost no time, much easier than my new Dovo Astrale. I'm wondering how long they can hold the edges though.

If they were NOS or very good condition, then that makes sense. If they required a significant amount of restoration and honed very quickly I would not expect those edges to last long.

Just remember a new razor is brand spanking new. That vintage you bought from the day one, you have no idea who had it or whether it was cared for or abused on ruined and redone or what so unless that oldie comes from the factory museum you can't really compare old vs new.

Having said that, workmanship was far superior years ago and though the tech is better now is the steel in that Chinese Razor really better? Maybe the razor doesn't utilize any of the better more modern tech.

Originally Posted by RezDog

If they were NOS or very good condition, then that makes sense. If they required a significant amount of restoration and honed very quickly I would not expect those edges to last long.

They were in rather good condition. One came with minor chips, the other came with only minor rusts. After removing the micro chips and setting the bevel for the first one, I tried to polish the surfaces and screwed up twice in a row and caused even bigger chips. That's why I mentioned set bevel 4 times...