Thread: Sheffield steel superiority

First reply back.

I have a couple e mails out to various outfits , waiting on more quotes.
I need to e mail back and see what I can trim off this one. but its a start.

You could buy a lot of nice Sheffield steel for that. Like has been said, you aren't going to find anything magical in there. The 2 razors I learnt to shave with were a Bengall and a Puma, both 5/8 round point hollow ground. Both took and held a great edge, with over 50 shaves on them before a touch up. In a blind test I don't think I could tell the difference. No expert, and there are definitely differences in hardness etc. But I do think it is the person honing the razor that makes the difference.

Originally Posted by Grazor

You could buy a lot of nice Sheffield steel for that. Like has been said, you aren't going to find anything magical in there. The 2 razors I learnt to shave with were a Bengall and a Puma, both 5/8 round point hollow ground. Both took and held a great edge, with over 50 shaves on them before a touch up. In a blind test I don't think I could tell the difference. No expert, and there are definitely differences in hardness etc. But I do think it is the person honing the razor that makes the difference.

Yea, I don't believe it would be worth the effort myself either. I have razors from 6 different countries and if you can put an edge on them they all shave damn near the same and that is very well. Personally I have not come across any "magic" steel" in any of them.

Bob

Oh boys,
That is just the the first quote, I am definitely not spending that much. Thats a whole pile of steel, belts and burl for me.

As someone who lives in the shop it is absolutely worth it to me. If I can find out for a reasonable price that small effort will be helpful to many. I am sure anyone currently making money at producing custom razors would love to know what this mystery steel is.

Think about it. Steel choice is admittedly a deal breaker for some folks. If some of the custom razor makers had a choice of steel with the same charictoristics as a sweet old Sheffield would that peak your interest?

But yeah , I don't want to eight hundred thirty five bucks know. For that $ Im cool with the mystery.

I agree that someone could easily market their "Sheffield recipe steel" for their razors! The next quote had better come down a lot though...

Okay , I'll say it..... Ever notice when this topic is discussed there is lots about the steel but everybody seems to forget the blade itself ? When I compare my best Greaves to my best Duck the first thing I think of is the grind. How many German wedges have you guys shaved with ? So,, I have Duck wedges and they do feel more like a Sheffield blade. They are not as big or thick as the average Sheffield but the difference is not in the steel but the grind. Add that to the equation and the type of steel seems a little less significant. Except as Glen said , on the hone. That is probably the only place where you can tell the difference really. JMHO but think about it :<0)

Any chance you could link up with a university department and offer the analysis as a project for someone?

Originally Posted by BobH

Yea, I don't believe it would be worth the effort myself either. I have razors from 6 different countries and if you can put an edge on them they all shave damn near the same and that is very well. Personally I have not come across any "magic" steel" in any of them.

Bob

I dunno Bob, that Heartring looked pretty magical to me...

Try forging a blade from old hay rake tines sometime. I made some knives & fire strikers from ones I was given & you could tell this was some high quality high carbon steel. I am going to start hunting down some more of these so when I start forging razors I can use some of this very high carbon spring steel.

Slawman