Thread: Why are some better?

I have a high regard for the quality of vintage razors. Unless they are compromised with rust, almost to the last one, they seem to shave well. But, there are differences nonetheless...

Sometimes, I hone, say, a Dubl Duck and think I know why they are so popular. Then, I hone some odd vintage razor that is stamped "Acme Hardware, Taneyville, Missouri" which hones just as well as the Dubl Duck. Then, I hone a Torrey that doesn't hone quite as well, but does hone nicely.

I've given up! I find gems among the Acme Hardware generic vintage razors about as often as I find pedigreed well-known razors that don't hone quite as well as the Acme's.

I am sure aging and storage conditions is a factor. I am sure that it is likely that the same plant and/or procedure that created some well known razors also created the Acme Hardware generics. My conclusion is...

If it is vintage, it is quality. Few exceptions!

Originally Posted by LarryAndro

I have a high regard for the quality of vintage razors. Unless they are compromised with rust, almost to the last one, they seem to shave well. But, there are differences nonetheless...

Sometimes, I hone, say, a Dubl Duck and think I know why they are so popular. Then, I hone some odd vintage razor that is stamped "Acme Hardware, Taneyville, Missouri" which hones just as well as the Dubl Duck. Then, I hone a Torrey that doesn't hone quite as well, but does hone nicely.

I've given up! I find gems among the Acme Hardware generic vintage razors about as often as I find pedigreed well-known razors that don't hone quite as well as the Acme's.

I am sure aging and storage conditions is a factor. I am sure that it is likely that the same plant and/or procedure that created some well known razors also created the Acme Hardware generics. My conclusion is...

If it is vintage, it is quality. Few exceptions!

Now, I agree with this assessment..

My feeling is that sometimes there are batches that just hit it right! And I believe the difference lies in heat treatment.
There's a pretty narrow window where hardness is achieved just right... I little too long getting to the quenching medium, the steel cools just a bit too much... Who knows. Even with todays modern techniques to prevent decarburization, things go wrong.
We used to send alot of large die rings and components for professional heat treatment, and most went very well, but it was always a bit of a gamble, even with folks that earn their living at it every day!

Bur, I really don't know.... Maybe it is the phase of the moon during the birth of the steel...