Thread: Mirror Or Satin

Thats a hard question. I like the looks of mirror however its impractical to me unless its kind of a Sunday only shaver. Eventually its going to get all scratched anyway so for a shaver to use every day I'll take a brushed or satin finish even though I like mirror.

I guess I prefer mirror but only if it's well done... I've seen far too many bunged edge details from heavy handed buffing to just say polish it. That said, I do like how a mirror polish on a carbon blade helps to shed water. I don't mind satin though, I think it can look really nice but on the other hand trying to keep a satin surface free of finger prints is a whole other story. Ultimately, I like'em all, only I might like polished carbon blades just a wee bit more. It's hard to beat a perfect mirror polish when crisp details are retained.

Christian

Satin for me, but a well done satin, like bead blasted. To get a good uniform satin finish is actually harder (I find) than a mirror finish.

I prefer satin most of the time. Satin seems to be more utilitarian, like a good tool something that get used. Mirror seems like more of showpiece that I don’t want to scratch up.

Charlie

I voted for mirror.

Hey Guys,
what do you do with your razors ? After 35 years working with knives, swords and razors, i can see how a knife or sword can have a mirror finish marred with use { still like to start with a mirror, though } but a razor ? Only the edge touches your face. When stropping { or honing} only the edge and the "edge" of the spine touch. How your mirrors are marred escapes me. My seem to last just fine.
As others have said - mirrors not only look great, they have no where for water, soap,etc. to cling and cause rust or discolouration.
Not trying to offend anyone - we all have our opinions and as Joe asked thought i'd share mine.

Adam, you may have forgotten wedge razors... they can and do scratch and that does make them look rather.... ugly. Mind you, so do satin finish wedges if the scratches are deep enough. I guess that why most of mine seem to bear a delicate pitted/rust finish.

Regards

Christian

Satin finish for me, it's all business. A mirror finish looks good but it show every little thing if it goes wrong.

Lately, I've become a middle of the road kinda guy. The middle priced
TI's have both finishes, mirror on the front, satin on the reverse. It doesn't make much difference to me.

LIMIT

I went with satin finish. I've never had a mirror finish and I wouldn't know how to deal with it. I'm sure it'd get scuffed up in little time. Then again, I don't have money to buy showpieces. If I did, I'd get them all in mirror finish.