How good are the steels in the vintage razors of this time period?
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How good are the steels in the vintage razors of this time period?
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.
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.
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.
Nah, they are all terrible. If you come across any, send them all to me and I will take care of them for you! :D
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimbo
I'm not a hero, just an average guy :y
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.
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.
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.
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.