Thread: Mirror Or Satin

to me, it depends on the razor.

I always go for mirror shine on carbon steel when I restore a razor.
The reason is that a perfect mirror is very stain resistant, whereas satin or brush finish gives the water and moisture something to cling to and creep into.

My last restoration had a flawless mirror finish. Even if I immersed it in water and pulled it out, it would be completely dry.

I also like acid finish, and a nice patina can be considered appropriate for old sheffields. For solingen razors.. not so much.
But all of this is purely my opinion of course.

What was the question, blondes or brunettes? Just like that, each razor speaks of its own beauty. I've got a beautiful mirror wedge that I'm afraid to look at for fear of scratching it. Then again, one of my favorite workhorse razors has waterstains on her patina finish. She's pre-1890 old, and I wouldn't clean her up for the life of me. Then again I did see fit to give her a new set of Bocote scales! PS I just posted 100!!! Where's my prize?

I went with mirror always. Although, I do not own a stainless razor.

Originally Posted by heavydutysg135

I voted for mirror.

No, really?

I prefer satin because I don't want my razor to look like a mirror, just like I don't want my mirror to look like a razor. I'd hate to mix up my personal hygiene tools with my wife's

For me, mirror is the goal but it is not always practical. So I would agree with others that it just depends on the razor. Most of the razors I keep are workhorses that I don't give a damn what they look like. I just want to keep them in a manner that will allow them to last longer than I will.

I sell razors locally. I know that most people like shiny things so I try to oblige when possible. I go as close to mirror as I can without spending ridiculous hours doing it.

Satin for me

Bump, to keep the poll going.

Mirror finish is best in theory, I think because from a purely practical point of view, it repels water the best and should have more chance of staying rust free.

Having said this, there seem to be many grades of mirror finish. From matt+ all the way up to "looks like chrome". Some razors have a front being fully mirrored and the back still showing the grind striations through the mirror polishing.

The highest quality I have seen (excluding some of the latest hand made razors) are usually 7 day sets from various Sheffield manufacturers. Both sides are 100% mirror finish.
The other thing that has to be said however is that the number of such sets were I have opened the box to find the most horrible rusty mess makes me wonder if anything stops the corrosion of carbon steel over time in a moist environment like England.

Clearly, razors are built to be used and not stored unless protected by oil.

I quite like the old razors with a patina. I assume this happens to razors left in a drawer in somewhere like Nevada. The bright silver edge and bevel look stunning against the grey patina.