Thread: Magic in that Sheffield Steel?

I can't attribute a smooth shave to any magic steel or region where it was made. My Puma shaves as smooth as my Helje as my Cattaraugus GL as my etc etc...
I think steel & heat treat do play a part but how it's going to shave is governed more by the honing IME.

What is making you think that it's the steel vs. the grind or edge quality/geometry?

There's no magic in it. The W&B is a solid design, the steel is of first quality, and the heat treatment was carefully executed. I hone a lot of W&Bs and they're good solid razors.

I started this thread so sorry I have not been on in a few days to read your posts. Thanks to all who have replied. I wanted to reply to Visibility, if it was me that you were asking......

"What is making you think that it's the steel vs. the grind or edge quality/geometry?"

Well....again I am just a beginning with this but....I do have 4 Sheffield razors from 4 different companies and each one with a different grind. I have an 11/16th that is a hollow ground, a 6/8" that is less hollow and and W&B that is a 5/8" and it's not a wedge but the blade is very rigid and thicker with much less of a hollow grind than anything else I have. I also have a "Filly" and a number of Solingen. All 4 of my Sheffield's feel much smoother than the other makes and the 5/8" W&B is unbelieveably smoother than all of them. I have even done tests to make sure it wasn't just my imagination. During some shaves I will take 2 or 3 razors and shave using all of them, comparing feel and sharpness. I guess it could still come down to grind and/or edge geometry but it would be a weird coincidence that all of my Sheffield's grinds and/or edge would make them all smoother.

I must say though too that I am surprised so many people love their American and Sheffield razors over the Solingen. That's cool to hear though.

Just an interesting topic of conversation I think.

Thanks again to all who contributed!

Tony

Originally Posted by DoughBoy68

Although I favor the Sheffield steel I have had some nice shaving American steel in the past, a Genco, a Geneva Cutlery, but sent them to some of our soldiers. Recently I acquired not much heard of Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co. 'OVB' (Our Very Best) of Chicago, Ill. (now known as True Value Hardware) that is a very fine shaver, another American made razor to consider.....I'm keeping this one. Personally, I think it is better than the Genco and Geneva Cutlery, but that's my opinion (story) and I'm sticking to it............

Since posting this I have learned that the Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co. was made in Germany.

Can I have it on a slice of Hovis?