Thread: Solingen or Sheffield?

Sheffield.

The history of some of their 200 y/o blades.... I just can't find that out of Germany.

German blades just don't have the appeal that English blades do.

Shaving with a 1880`s Wade&Butcher I must say Sheffield. Like it was made to my skin 130 years later!

All I have are a couple of W&B for Sheffields (not hollow ground) so it's kind of like comparing apples to oranges. At this point I'd say Solingen but I am expecting a hollow ground Sheffield in the mail any day.

I have both but I prefer Sheffield blades.

For me, it's a very, very close thing.

Right now, the poll is going 55% - 45%, favor Sheffield.

Interestingly, that's exactly where I would peg it in my personal preference-o-meter.

[QUOTE=Doublewood;692201Then I bought a [COLOR=red]BENGALL.[/COLOR]

I obtained my first Bengall last week and absolutely love it as well.

I have two Sheffields and two Solingens. I shave with a Solingen most times,but I much prefer either of my Sheffields over and above the Solingens...It's just that I can't forsake my very first razor which is a IMoP Dovo 5/8.
Yesterdays shave was with a 13/16 Wostenholm pipe, while standing and looking over the rolling green hills of the family property. The wind was cool and blowing strongly from the south. The water in the enamel washbasin, sitting on the rough sawn timber bench, beside the corrogated iron walled corner of the shed was cold and clear despite the flecks of oxide from the bore. The early morning sunlight was fighting weakly to break through the foreboding grey clouds, that were constantly threatening to bring rain. The wind was bracing as I stood there shirtless, looking into the little square of mirror that I had angled on the clean rag that was commandeered to act as my towel...

Now that was a memorable shave...Not my best shave due to the wind acting to dry the lather on my face, but it was certainly a damn fine shave all the same. Thank you Sheffield for making Wosty Pipes and Bengall Razors! The Bengall had the pleasure of delivering a very similar shave the last time I was on the property.


Mick

I have a small collection of 9 razors. The Solingens outnumber the Sheffields of which I have only one. It's probably the best blade I own. I'll vote for the Brits in this case.

A better start would have been to collect a longer list
because the world of razors is much larger than Solingen
or Sheffield.

There is the source of steel and then there is grind...

Me I am a big fan of Swedish steel and Swedish razors
and I am learning about the best of US made razors
mostly from New York state.

I need to collect at least 100 more razors to make an educated choice.

This could fit in the Conservative vs Liberal thread if you think about it. Sheffields followed more their conservative roots and sometimes looked older than their more progressive contemporaries from Solingen.

Ultimately, the decline in Sheffield companies was the result of being locked into tradition. Barbers and consumers found the modern grinds easier to maintain and the price was more affordable.

Well my choice based on ease of honing and use is for Solingen. Does that make me a Liberal?