TI Silverwing

Let's just face it: I'm in love with this razor. However, I also recognize that $360 is a lot to spend on what is essentially the same razor I can get on ebay for $50 as far as actual shave quality. So my question is this: I know there are several folks here who own the Silverwing, and I'd like to know if you think that the razor lives up to its price in terms of the fit and finish, overall quality, etc. I've heard a lot of questionable stuff about TI finish, so it's making me nervous. Obviously the worth is very subjective, but I'm just wondering whether the folks who have purchased one of these still consider it worth the price tag.

EDIT
Also realize that the major reasons I like this razor is that it's a limited edition, and the photos are beautiful. However, I can easily buy a vintage blade and put my own scales on for much less. That's why I'm concerned with fit&finish, because if I could make it better then "limited edition" doesn't mean a lot to me.

I've got the original edition and the later 'French point' version. I am very happy with both in terms of workmanship and shave quality. YMMV.

I do not have the Silverwing, I have the Spartacus. Ithe steel of the silverwing is of the same quality then that's gonna be one damn good razor that only a few can really challenge.

I'm certain the shave will be quite good. I'm more interested in the fit&finish and overal value you, as an owner feel that this razor has.

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Originally Posted by aragornelessar86

I'm certain the shave will be quite good. I'm more interested in the fit&finish and overal value you, as an owner feel that this razor has.

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I just took a look at both of mine. If I had it to do over again I would buy them again. I can't give a greater endorsement than that. Especially the French point with the Ram's horn scales. It doesn't shave any better than the other one but it looks so cool. :)

Awesome, that's what I wanted to know. I can't justify the French Point version because I know I'd cut myself with it.

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Originally Posted by aragornelessar86

I'm certain the shave will be quite good. I'm more interested in the fit&finish and overal value you, as an owner feel that this razor has.

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Mine has horn scales, and definitely the F&F is great, scales were very symmetric the blade was not flimsy.
I would advise you specifically ask the seller to make sure everything is fine as far as F&F goes before they ship it.

I have the original LE version. The issue I had with it was the overall feel of the blade and the time it took to get it shave ready. I'm still fiddling with the thing and its still improving but its still not one of my favorite razors.

bigspendur, why do you think it took to long to get up to snuff? Is it something with the design or do you think it was specific to your piece?

I've also got one of the original Silverwings and had similar experiences as bigspendur. When shaving the blade feels a bit numb and not terribly sharp, even though it shaves at a level that indicates that it really is quite sharp. The feel is just "off" somehow. The newer non-Silverwing razors made with this steel feel much better, so I suspect that TI has been gaining experience with this steel and improving their heat treating process.

I have the original LE version too. It took some getting use to with the new steel, but once I got it honed up, it turned out to be a very nice shaver. I like it. The steel felt much harder or tougher than the old stuff.

Lynn

So, if it's that much harder to get sharp, does that mean it stays sharp longer/better?

I agree its the steel. It actually gives an fantastic shave its just that it feels very different. I can't comment with how long it goes between shaves because I've been fiddling with it on and off since I got it. Its improved and feels a little lighter than it did and at this point I'm not going to fiddle with it any more so now we'll see how long it goes before it has to be touched up.

aragornelessar86,

I haven't got the SilverWing, but do have two(2) TI razors made from the C135 steel; one full hollow, the other half hollow.

As far as edge life goes, they do seem to far outlast my other razors.

Also the C135 steel does feel different on the face, but once the edge is dialled in, they shave very nicely :)

Best regards

Russ

I got the test razor. I found it hard to get it as sharp as I like it. Even after the Nakayama I could not get good shaves with it. Eventually 20 passes on Cr2O3 pasted strop did the trick.

Very smooth shaves but not quite as close as some razors.

Well, sounds like this will be my next big razor buy. Thanks all for the replies.

We have seen this link here before. Do you have a vested interest?

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Originally Posted by Kees

I got the test razor. I found it hard to get it as sharp as I like it. Even after the Nakayama I could not get good shaves with it. Eventually 20 passes on Cr2O3 pasted strop did the trick.

Very smooth shaves but not quite as close as some razors.

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Kees mentioning the 'test razor' reminded me of one that Tony Miller was selling a year or two ago. IIRC it was a Silverwing marked prototype and it was a different steel than whatever they finally ended up with. I'm not sure what the story was but they apparently produced some in more than the one steel to see how they worked out.

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Originally Posted by Kees

We have seen this link here before. Do you have a vested interest?

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now i do not have any vested interest mr grigoris sovaridis who owns the 1barberbe its by far the most friendly person i met in shaving stuff with the best prices in europe everythink is in stock and not backordered justlike rasurpur de or other stores and the only retailer of mastrolivi wich indicates that is a very reliable person and professional but i dint understant why you asked me this :)

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Originally Posted by petrakounas

now i do not have any vested interest mr grigoris sovaridis who owns the 1barberbe its by far the most friendly person i met in shaving stuff with the best prices in europe everythink is in stock and not backordered justlike rasurpur de or other stores and the only retailer of mastrolivi wich indicates that is a very reliable person and professional but i dint understant why you asked me this :)

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I am always a bit suspicious if someone who has never posted here before recommends in his 1st post a specific vendor.

BTW just noticed the quoted poster was banned.

I have always like the look of the Silverwings and have lusted after a blade with the new steel. Full hollows, to date, are not my weapon of choice because they are just to flexible in the standard carbon blades. I really tend toward 1/2 or 1/4 hollow because of the add stiffness.

I suspect that the added hardness translates to a stiffer blade. Is this true? I really would like some of the "new forgings" but naturally I hate putting out big coin for a razor that I am sure is an excellent razor, but just not for me.


Richard

If you like stiff they have stiffness in spades.

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Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Kees mentioning the 'test razor' reminded me of one that Tony Miller was selling a year or two ago. IIRC it was a Silverwing marked prototype and it was a different steel than whatever they finally ended up with. I'm not sure what the story was but they apparently produced some in more than the one steel to see how they worked out.

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I spoke to David Loft about this issue. The steel TI used for the prototypes is the same they use for all their new razors. THe only diffecence between the test and production Silverwings is the heat treatment and the grind. Initially there were some problems with the heat treatment. He also wrote that TI use the same steel for all their razors: C 135 Carbonsong.

Note: this does not apply to the TI "Historical" razors, these are made with older steels.

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Originally Posted by riooso

I have always like the look of the Silverwings and have lusted after a blade with the new steel. Full hollows, to date, are not my weapon of choice because they are just to flexible in the standard carbon blades. I really tend toward 1/2 or 1/4 hollow because of the add stiffness.

I suspect that the added hardness translates to a stiffer blade. Is this true? I really would like some of the "new forgings" but naturally I hate putting out big coin for a razor that I am sure is an excellent razor, but just not for me.


Richard

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I don't know if the new steel adds to the stiffness but since they are 5/8 I believe they are stiff enough. I'm not sure how much difference there is in terms of flex between the 5/8 and 6/8 but IME I don't feel flex in the Silverwing. I have a vintage Henckles full hollow in 8/8 that has noticeable flex. Also a Puma 'High Class' in 6/8 that I can feel flex as I shave.

It makes sense to me that since they can only grind the blades so thin a 5/8 will have less flex than it's larger cousins. Even though they call it a full hollow it seems to me that TIs are not ground as thin as vintage ducks, Brummels, Pumas, FWE and Fillys etc. That is my impression based on the feel, I haven't measured them with a micrometer. Just IMO.

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Originally Posted by riooso

I have always like the look of the Silverwings and have lusted after a blade with the new steel.

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There's only a few Silverwings left with cocobolo scales at the retailers', TI have sold the 300 they planned to make. There's still plenty of ram's horn Silverwings left.

New to the forums but just wanted to throw in my two cents. Yes, this mother is spendy. However, the overall weight, fit, feel, shape, size, blade, handles, etc. etc. etc. are all quite impressive. I had for some reason or other had it in my mind that i was going to stick to stainless blades. (Dovo MOP, and Dovo Stainless) They both were nice shavers. The MOP i felt was excellent. The stainless was my backup and never cared for it as much as the MOP. I digress...the Silverwing is without equal and makes the Dovo MOP pale in comparison. I know that i don't have nearly the experience in straight shaving as most of our season members here but the Silverwing shaves so smoothly and is a joy to handle and care for. Trust me, i dropped $$$ on a yellow belgian coticule just so that i can be sure to keep the finest edge on this baby for years of enjoyment.

We're talking about driving a Rolls Royce versus a Cadillac here. Yes you can get from point A to point B in either of them...but seriously...who turns their head to look at a Cadillac? It's worth it!

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Originally Posted by Pastmaster04

New to the forums but just wanted to throw in my two cents. Yes, this mother is spendy. However, the overall weight, fit, feel, shape, size, blade, handles, etc. etc. etc. are all quite impressive. I had for some reason or other had it in my mind that i was going to stick to stainless blades. (Dovo MOP, and Dovo Stainless) They both were nice shaves. The MOP i felt was excellent. The stainless was my backup and never cared for it. I digress...the Silverwing is without equal and makes the Dovo MOP pale in comparison. I know that i don't have nearly the experience in straight shaving as most of our season members here but the Silverwing shaves so smoothly and is a joy to handle and care for. Trust me, i dropped $$$ on a yellow belgian coticule just so that i can be sure to keep the finest edge on this baby for years of enjoyment.

We're talking about driving a Rolls Royce versus a Cadillac here. Yes you can get from point A to point B in either of them...but seriously...who turns their head to look at a Cadillac? It's worth it!

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Welcome to SRP. I haven't had the Dovo MOP to compare with the TI SW but I agree that the Silverwings are truly wonderful shavers.

I have a Dovo MOP and a Silverwing and find the Dovo to give a superior shave. Shave closeness is about the same but the comfort and feedback is far better with the Dovo. Of course they are different grinds but still.