Thread: Solingen or Sheffield?

I voted Sheffield for the all around package.

Too me the look, feel/weight, shave & history is very enjoyable.


Funny this should come up because 2 days ago I traded a fishing decoy for 3 Sheffield's and a German. Of course they show there age but will be excellent shavers once I re-scale them.

Originally Posted by bassguy

Neither. Swedish, or Japanese.

There's some irony, the iwasaki kamisori are made with Swedish steel

Originally Posted by rodb

I have to agree on the Bengall's, I have one and it's in my top three. That and my Rodgers are my favorite Sheffield's

+1 on Bengalls but to me, not a typical Sheffield razor. They shave more like a good German razor.

I have to say Solingen for this poll.
For me it's all about the steel & how often I don't have to hone it

If I was going to hang it on the wall I would have voted Sheffield. Not that they don't shave well, they do, but IME Solingens are better. I agree that the old wedges with the barber's notch, humpback tang and smiling blade, horn scales are more artistically appealing but for the shave give me a Puma, Duck, FWE , on and on, any day.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

If I was going to hang it on the wall I would have voted Sheffield. Not that they don't shave well, they do, but IME Solingens are better. I agree that the old wedges with the barber's notch, humpback tang and smiling blade, horn scales are more artistically appealing but for the shave give me a Puma, Duck, FWE , on and on, any day.

This is exactly how I feel. The Sheffields are great looking, but for shaving, Solingen any day

I have to say I find a striking similarity between English and German cars and razors, I love my Solingen razors they are great examples of precision yet they lack soul my Shefields have loads of soul in the same way a Jag or an Aston has a bunch more soul then a technologically superior Benz or Beamer. I think is comes down to the culture of the two countries. Just the two cents of a novice.

As an aside, something I noticed when I began collecting them... in the early 20th century and beyond Solingens were frequently stamped "Made With Finest Sheffield Steel" while Sheffield blades advertised themselves as being German or Hamburg Ground as a marketing point.

Of course the full hollows began to dominate the market in the nineteenth century and the Solingen folks seem to have ran with that technology once it came round. As much as we love our wedges the FH still is the dominant grind.

Originally Posted by MickR

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

Dude! You should have been a writer (or maybe you are???).

Thanks for the description! It made me feel like I standing there shaving next to you! Oh, man, you must live in a beautiful place!

Kent

Originally Posted by klsmsn

Dude! You should have been a writer (or maybe you are???).

Thanks for the description! It made me feel like I standing there shaving next to you! Oh, man, you must live in a beautiful place!

Kent

Nah, you gotta have imagination and inspiration to be a writer! I'm the most un-imaginative, un-inspiring bugger I know, so I just have to settle for being a wannbe.

Thank you for the compliment all the same.

I don't actually live there, I just get to go and appreciate it as often as life will allow. The colder weather also keeps the snakes at bay! Every Edan has to have a bloody serpant doesn't it...


Mick

I prefer big old Sheffields. But I will never say no to a Solingen either.

Sheffield for me, though some of my Solingen blades are up there too. Equally, just a word for the French makers who knew and know what they're doing too.