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  1. #1
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    Default 1850's Sheffield steel any good?

    How good are the steels in the vintage razors of this time period?

  2. #2
    "My words are of iron..."
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    The best in the world at the time. Less contaminated with old car parts and trash than some of the modern steels. Not nearly as high tech as the present generation of powder metals.
    “Nothing discloses real character like the use of power. Most people can bear adversity. But if you wish to know what a man really is, give him power.” R.G.Ingersoll

  3. #3
    The Hurdy Gurdy Man thebigspendur's Avatar
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    probably if your talking about structural steel there were issues with impurities and xtlization which compromised it however for straight razors the steel functioned very well indeed so no problems there. Many of the old English true wedge razors of that period were and still are very high quality shavers.
    No matter how many men you kill you can't kill your successor-Emperor Nero

  4. #4
    Qui tacet consentit bpave777's Avatar
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    I don't know about 1850's, but I have a late 1800's W&B that gets an edge, and holds an edge like a motherhumper. Must be some type of testament to the quality of the Sheff steel.

  5. #5
    There is no charge for Awesomeness Jimbo's Avatar
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    Nah, they are all terrible. If you come across any, send them all to me and I will take care of them for you!

    James.
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  6. #6
    Little Bear richmondesi's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jimbo View Post
    Nah, they are all terrible. If you come across any, send them all to me and I will take care of them for you!

    James.
    This is what I was thinking as well... Since you probably have too much of that junk cluttering up your space, I'll take the sacrifice and dispose of all if it for you.

    I'm not a hero, just an average guy

  7. #7
    Serious Shaveaholic Smoothy's Avatar
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    Am not a Specialist able to write a detailled review, but I have a Sheffield wedge from about 1860 (shouldn't be too much of a difference in quality than one from the 1850s)and was told that the steel is first class (for that time). It shaves like a Beauty and keeps a wonderful edge.

  8. #8
    Senior Member khaos's Avatar
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    I just got a Tally Ho (Ct Bingham- so its between 1848 and 1858) and its not shave ready but that sucker is straight PIMP.

  9. #9
    Heat it and beat it Bruno's Avatar
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    Personally I like old sheffield steel more than anything else (non custom).
    It hones up fairly easy, is smooth on the skin, and holds its edge very well.
    Til shade is gone, til water is gone, Into the shadow with teeth bared, screaming defiance with the last breath.
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  10. #10
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    Spendur's point is good. Construction steel/iron would have been from the big blast furnaces and subject, as ours are today, from recycled materials of questionable pedigree.

    Blade quality steels would most likely have come from the crucible smelting process that was the most common method for producing the highest quality steels in that time period.
    “Nothing discloses real character like the use of power. Most people can bear adversity. But if you wish to know what a man really is, give him power.” R.G.Ingersoll

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