Thread: What's silver steel and what's it doing in my razor?

I recently ordered a Dovo of a german site with small pictures, so I'm at a bit of a loss when it comes to what I actually ordered since Dovo makes at least three razors with the ebony scale. After reading and looking at pictures I think I've matched my razor to this one on classicshaving.com which is a "silver steel" razor...
What is that then? ^^

Here's the razor on classic btw. DOVO Straight Razors

I believe the steel contained 2% silver, I cant remember why, sorry.

Good that the silver part isn't BS, now just the why left.. :/

I've also seen TI's with "Sheffield Silver Steel" blades on them on classicsh...

Silver steel doesn’t have silver in it. It is simply marketing hype most likely “coined” from Silverware in reference to “higher quality” cutting blades.
Silver mixed with steel will offer no improvement in the quality of the resulting edged steel or its durability. In fact the silver may reduce the strength of the steel (a waste of good silver).


BTW that Dovo is a fine razor… you did good.

I purchased the same razor just recently (my first, yes I'm a noobie). The following is a quote from Wikipedia:

Silver steel is common tool steel in the UK that is supplied as a centerless ground round bar. It is roughly equivalent to drill rod in the US.
The steel is defined under specification BS-1407, with the closest European equivalent being 1.2210 (although this steel contains vanadium). The composition is as follows: carbon 0.95–1.25, manganese 0.25–0.45, chromium 0.35–0.45, silicon 0.40 max, phosphorus 0.045 max, sulfur 0.045 max.[1]
In the annealed state is has a hardness of 27 RHC. It can be hardened to 64 RHC.[2]

Not much of a help unless you are a metalurgist, which I am not. Although silver is not listed as a component of the blend. I would be interested in the opinion of a metalurgist as to the qualities of this steel vs. other types of steel.

Well Smythe, I suppose celebrated historical UK chemist Michael Faraday was just dreaming, then, when he invented silver steel?

Regards,
Neil

Originally Posted by smythe

Silver steel doesn’t have silver in it. It is simply marketing hype most likely “coined” from Silverware in reference to “higher quality” cutting blades.
Silver mixed with steel will offer no improvement in the quality of the resulting edged steel or its durability. In fact the silver may reduce the strength of the steel (a waste of good silver).


BTW that Dovo is a fine razor… you did good.

Thanks, I'm quite pleased with my buy, only 129 € for the razor and strop shipped! Hopefully I'll have it by monday!

It can't be very bad considering the different metals involved and the fact that it can be hardened to 64 RHC, which is pretty damn good on a razor if they actually get it that high.

Actually, it's an certain alloy within the group of High Carbon Steels.
Silver Steel

Apparently a very good alloy for making razors.

Best regards,
Bart.

Its true that silver steel used in razors has no silver in it. Silver would do nothing to help a razor especially in tiny percentages. Its way too soft. I don't know if the stuff farraday invented is the same or was modified for razors or what.

Originally Posted by mtstanley

I purchased the same razor just recently (my first, yes I'm a noobie). The following is a quote from Wikipedia:

Silver steel is common tool steel in the UK that is supplied as a centerless ground round bar. It is roughly equivalent to drill rod in the US.
The steel is defined under specification BS-1407, with the closest European equivalent being 1.2210 (although this steel contains vanadium). The composition is as follows: carbon 0.95–1.25, manganese 0.25–0.45, chromium 0.35–0.45, silicon 0.40 max, phosphorus 0.045 max, sulfur 0.045 max.[1]
In the annealed state is has a hardness of 27 RHC. It can be hardened to 64 RHC.[2]

Not much of a help unless you are a metalurgist, which I am not. Although silver is not listed as a component of the blend. I would be interested in the opinion of a metalurgist as to the qualities of this steel vs. other types of steel.

Excellent reply, and correct in all points. FYI to all, it is called silver steel because of the bright appearance of the steel. This is due to the high carbon content. It is an excellent steel for edged implements of all types.