Thread: fork: some razors just seem better than others?

Originally Posted by JimR

I wish I knew enough about razors to know...but, I am slowly learning.

As stated in the thread that inspired this one, I have one razor which, apparently, is head and shoulders above others with the same/similar grind, but different origins. However, I have other razors which share similar orogins to those...so brand could very well be it. Brand does pretty much encompass quality of steel, quality of workmanship, and other factors...right? And there are good Solingens/Bad Solingens, good Sheffields/Bad Sheffields, etc., right?

So, yeah, maybe brand...

... mediocre Dovo's / awesome Dovo's...
... mediocre TI's / awesome TI's...

maybe brands?...

Originally Posted by 0o.Mark.o0

Country. So far, my best shavers have been Sheffield Steel (i.e Rodgers, Wostenholm, Elliot and Reynolds)

Mark

Shouldn't you have ticked metal? I imagine there are plenty of razors whos country of origin is different from where they sourced their raw materials.

I went for metal, because if you don't have good steel you're lost at sea really. If it's good steel then it doesn't matter what the grind is IMO, after all, that bit is personal preference - but no one is going to use a wedge built from an assortment of scrap metals from pakistan just because they're a wedge fan.

You've just got to have good steel.

My Allen 37 Strand not only shaves better than any of the others, it holds an edge far longer. I can get good shaves out out of the softer ones if I periodically reset the bevel, but if I try to maintain them with just the Swaty and Chinese stone, the shave quality seems to steadily deteriorate.

I also didn't vote because there are so many variables in play beyond personal preference. I don't look for any one thing in particular in choosing a razor. I have a Dovo, Geo Wostenholm, Wester Bros, Jowika, and a plain generic round point. Each has its own unique qualities, but they all shave my beard equally as good. I wouldn't choose one over the other on a bet. I love them all.

I'm not a chemist or metallurgist so I don't know what to tell you about the variations you would get in my razors. I'm pretty certain that each of my blades are not the same exact steel. Each were manufactured in different locations. You will likely get a wide sampling of opinions on why a certain blade, manufacturer, etc., is the best thing this side of sliced bread. And for each person that is true because it is what they want. You will have to determine what works best for you.

I believe blade geometry is the cornerstone of THE razor.

Without that geometry I would have to regrind and rebevel the blade. that's Not THE razor.
I do feel that blade steel is the next building block of THE razor
I am a steel snob with my knives.
Not so with my razors.
Tom

I voted Geometry, but, obviously the steel has to be right too.

If your metallurgy is crap you'll never get a decent shaver whatever geometry, wherever you live for whatever brand you work.

Originally Posted by gregs656

Shouldn't you have ticked metal? I imagine there are plenty of razors whos country of origin is different from where they sourced their raw materials.

.

Good point. Like TI's using Sheffield steel.

On average though, I think that Sheffield steel is turned into English razors, ?Eiklstuna? is from Sweden etc.

Metallurgy to me, is something that can be pondered and argued and arm waved over but until you fire up the old X-Ray thinger...

Steel - Quality Control

... you can't actually quantify whether or not you're razor has "good" metallurgy. So, as I see it, country and brand (if I can vote twice) are an empirical measure of metallurgy based on experience and reputation.

Mark

My most comfortable razors are from different Countries, different brands and are different weights, styles and grinds.

The only consistent is that they have an edge that looks and feels silky smooth and sharp. Its like they mixed the ingredients properly and knocked all the lumps out.

This is down to metallurgy.

Interestingly, I don't think its to do with hardness which is the way the metallurgists seem to point the finger. I think its to do with starting with a quality steel blank and then the quality of the tempering process.

I don't pretend to understand these things but if this is not the reason, I can not understand why some of my most comfortable razors are 150 years old.

Originally Posted by Kees

If your metallurgy is crap you'll never get a decent shaver whatever geometry, wherever you live for whatever brand you work.

I go with it.
Recently i found out i have honed blade 3 months ago and the blade still have exact sharpness how was 3 months ago. it did me wonder and i went under the microscope to check this blade. i get a little surprise this blade almost in the verge overhone. shaves the best and doesn't get dull so far.
No i think there is a moment on honing the blade if you catch that moment the blade will be it is excellent shave condition and will last longer.
just wanted let you guys to know and may be some of you had similar experience already