Thread: Is it true that TI makes the best straight razors for shaving?

I agree with what has been said here. There really is no best razor. You may even find variation between different models of the same razor.

If you want "the best" and don't mind spending some extra coin, I would suggest getting a custom made razor. These are truly special because they are one of a kind - and they shave pretty darn well too!

Jordan

Nono that's not what I am saying.
There are razors that give better shave than others. But -given quality steel- that has more to do with style, grind, size and weight.

I've had razors I didn't like. I refuse to hone, restore or shave with anything < 11/16 because I don't like them and I don't like shaving with them.



You just proved that point even more with the size statement Bruno..... He and I like opposite ends of the razor spectrum 11/16 full hollow grinds are my favs and anything over 6/8 and 1/2 hollow I don't care for at all... But quality steel is quality steel.....


I guess the main problem I have with what Bruno and Gssixgun are saying is that they seem to be implying that it's your fault if you don't get a perfect shave from any given razor.

A perfect shave, no that requires "the razor the fits your face" each of us has a razor size, flex ,and shape that fit's us the best. Once you find that then concentrate your collection there...
Now many of you guys have all kinds of razors in your collection "because you want the different experience" Me I figured out pretty fast the what felt great on my face were 4/8-6/8 full hollow grind, non-round points and my absolute best shavers for me were the 11/16 sizes.... So I concentrated on collecting as many of those as I could... Many of the guys on here made some great buys on the larger size and heavy grind razors that left my collection, but it didn't matter how great the quality was I didn't like the way they shaved for me...

Now back to the original question, I would figure out which of the two either TI or Dovo offers the razor closest to what you want and go for it... Either is going to give a good shave...
Even though I said earlier that I think Dovo has the QC edge, if I were razor shopping right now for a new one, it would most likely be the TI because they still offer spike points and heck I think I could fix the scales if they are bad

it's so personal and also depends on what you feel like on a given day. I like all but one of my razors (and I'm working on that one). They all shave great, but all feel different. My 4/8 robeson nubak which cost $5 is just as good as my classic shaving 7/8s filarmonica that cost about $110, but the experience is totally different. And some days I want my sharp and dense 5/8s spike T Hessen Bruch & Co and some days I want the smooth and effortless W&B 8/8s wedge.

I had a very basic dovo and it was very solid. I want to try a standard TI sometime. I have a TI Le Grelot and its very nice but I'd like to try a TI TI at some point.

But if you are enjoying your razors, the new ones won't take you to a new high, they'll just take you to a different high.

I have a few by TI and a couple of vintage Dovos. I think that both Dovo and TI are much tougher to hone then the old Ducks, Fillys, FWE, C-Mon. Those full hollows just take a bevel and get to shave ready so much more quickly in my experience that it doesn't surprise me that many barbers I knew favored those brands.

I have a TI with a decorated spine and the horn scales are a slightly different length. That annoyed me but it shaves well. I picked up a Friodur that was made with the wedge a bit too long to where the tip hit when you close the blade. Fixing that really annoyed me. Heck of a shaver though. For me it is like I hear the young folks say,"It's all good".

My sharpest razor cost me £1 and a few hours honing stroping and polishing.
The old vintage razors probably cost quite a lot when they were made, there were hundreds of makers knocking them out so skilled cutlers where in abundance back in the day.
I think you pay for special materials and fancy work on razors these days, I doubt the craftsmen are any better even though there are quite a few guys on this site who make real works of art.
I do think there are people around now who can get a razor as sharp as is possible because of the info shared on sites like this. Looking at some well used vintage razors, the layman then would use pasted hanging strops to get their razor sharp. My Grandfather said my Great-Grandfather only used a strop to sharpen his edges, he obviously meant an abrasive strop!
I think a vintage razor is as good a workhorse as ANY newly made razor.
M

I would like to think that the best razors are finished well at the cutting edge of the razor, much like a knife. Meaning , no matter how pretty a knife is and decorated, what determines cutting ability would be edge angle finish and keeness, steel and tempering. It would be interesting to have a datbase of razor Co. and their steel /tempering processes, as well as finish quality control.

So you guys are saying that once you get past the junk (Zeepk for example) that all the steel is equivalient? as well as the grind (or quality control of the grind?). I would not expect every full hollow grind to be identical physically. Is it harder/more expensive to manufacture to some spec than another?

For the steel, I would not be surprised to find a number of razor companies using the same source but have different standards. Let's say brand X is a larger more common/middle of the road razor brand and brand Y is a smaller more "upscale" brand with higher standards. So they both use the same supplier. Brand X says this is our minimum requirement for the quality of the steel and Brand Y has a higher minimum requirement. If Brand Y only takes 50% of the higher quality steel then Brand X may get the rest along with lesser quality steel.

If this was the case then you could say Brand Y is a better razor. You may find Brand X razors just a good but some Brand Xs won't be. Most of the examples of favorite razors above are a particular razor. It could have just been a rare exception?

Don't some brands seem to consistently hold an edge longer? That may not be so evident when honing razors and shaving with them once after.

steel used and temper paramount IMO. and then finish quality control.. per example custom knives with high hardness capability in tempering 60/62 rockwell take and extremely keen edge and that edge lasts. Some scandi steels and makers have 62/64 rockwell hardness and their edge reach a "super keen sharpness" that holds twice as long as the best tempered steel custom knives. Japanese white Hitachi steel also takes a high hardness temper- for sushi knives (incredibly sharp) Roselli knives for one (a type of crucible) , which I own 3 of, and also collect custom hand forged knives (my sharpest custom a 6" Ed Fowler hunter- ball bearing steel multiple heat treats hand forged) .

I think I read that the english developing crucible steel, had taken the razor market by storm in the old days. Perhaps crucible steel properly tempered gave an even and condensed carbide distribution in the steel, combined with high rockwell capabilities which improved the razor at the time? Then there was scandi steels and their tempering processes..

then there is cryo cooling- more modern for modern steels especially stainless.. I would be very interested in knowing what steels razor co. used in the past and present..01, 5160, w1, w2, D2, HS, Krups, Bholer, etc.. all have different temper capabilities and qualities..

Razors must have a steel/temper difference with notable performance differences...

Which brings to mind TI with their new steel and new tempering process, achieving now rockwell hardness in the 62/63 range, would explain why TI new razors shave very well..

I do think however that many razor co. of the same time period were using the same source and techniques-pushing the limits to find the optimal razor...., but some companies must have had higher standards or artisans with higher standards making razors superior to others.

Originally Posted by Quick

So you guys are saying that once you get past the junk (Zeepk for example) that all the steel is equivalient? as well as the grind (or quality control of the grind?). I would not expect every full hollow grind to be identical physically. Is it harder/more expensive to manufacture to some spec than another?

The hollow is ground after the heat treatment. At that point the steel is already fully hardened, so removing any of it it a tough job. There is more wear and tear on the grinding equipment, and it takes longer, meaning that they can make less of them per hour.

Originally Posted by Quick

For the steel, I would not be surprised to find a number of razor companies using the same source but have different standards. Let's say brand X is a larger more common/middle of the road razor brand and brand Y is a smaller more "upscale" brand with higher standards. So they both use the same supplier. Brand X says this is our minimum requirement for the quality of the steel and Brand Y has a higher minimum requirement. If Brand Y only takes 50% of the higher quality steel then Brand X may get the rest along with lesser quality steel.

When looking at non-crap razors, there are only 2 brands really.Dovo uses solingen steel, and TI uses sheffield steel. Both use specific high quality steel.
If you see other named new german razors, they are mostly made by dovo.
Boker has just started, and they probably use solingen steel.

Your argument could be true if there were dozens of manufacturers left. But there are only 3.

instead of using steel for straight razors, what about using diamond? surgeons use diamond scapels that are said to have an edge a single atom thick.