Thread: Stead super with a Spikuson blade?

I picked this up on ebay recently for a great price. I think the blade is not original to the scales. It also has the box which says "The Stead Super 5/8" The scales are a pretty yellow with STEAD in silver. The blade is wider than 6/8 maybe 7/8, with a very slight smile. And says "Spikuson" on one side and "Best silver steel" on the other. I love the look of the fat blade in the thin scales but had to put a couple of bits of tape on the blade stop to stop the blade protruding from the back. It looks like a bit of a botch job on the blade pin as its a bit loose and you can feel the hole is larger than the pin. So What do I have here? I will get a pic up tomorrow for examination.
Other than the pin, the scales are in superb condition as is the blade but has a bit of hone wear, more towards the tip I think. I reset the bevel with one bit of tape on the spine and honed it up on my Dragon tongue slate. Followed by stropping flat with starkie blue compound. I finished on my hanging strop and then had the best smoothest shave yet with any of my bought razors. I felt no need to apply any pressure and made several passes. I like silver steel. It also seems to keep the edge very well. Its my new favorate what ever it is. I would really like to sort the pin thing out so its not loose and put a larger stop in as a permanent fix to stop the wide blade protruding. I like it so much at the moment though my rotation is stalled.
I have decided to part company with my Dovo 6/8 I bought new. I've kept it long enough to know its not me, but it just shaves horribly against the grain. I believe I dont get on with the bevel angle which seems around 20 degree's. It offers little glide and a close shave causes discomfort atg. I don't have this problem at all with my repeat or my gong. With which I can shave with little pressure if any. They have a blade angle of 15/16 degrees.
Bit of a rant there. I must have been storing it all up!!!

Here are the pics. Maybe someone can confirm that the blade has been added to the scales. Maybe its just the box that doesn't match. I really like the razor anyway and will have to take it out of service at some point to sort the pin and blade stop out. Maybe when I get my Spikey 8/8 back.






The Shaving bowl, which i'm really pleased with came from Steve Woodhead, from "woodhead pottery" on ebay. He does some scuttles as well, but i'm pushed for space and this works very well with a bit of hot water sat in the sink.
The last shot my collection so far. All keepers except the new Dovo.

It would appear that your razor is a marriage of parts. The easiest way to check is to look at the pivot pin and compare it to the other pins. As you can see, it is very different in size and pinning technique. This would indicate that your blade is "aftermarket". Also, you will rarely find an "as purchased" razor with the heel protruding through the scales. This is another indicator of the blade not matching the scales. The middle pin is not usually put there as a blade stop or rest. This pin either serves as a spacer or a decorative accessory.

Regards - Walt

That is odd. I have never seen where a blade was replaced in the scales. I wonder if someone rescaled and later found a matching box or had a bunch of razors and frankenstiened them together. i would rescale that one if it doesn't fit you will be apt to cut yourself or ruin the edge.
It is common for the pivot hole to be larger than the 1/16 inch pin used. Many weren't even round.
Silver steel doesn't really mean much, it was a sales ploy. What you may prefer is a common steel that was utilized in a certain area. Some people have problems with certain steels and that can be associated with the location of manufature.

I must say that I really like the shoulder grind on this razor. It has a stabilizer, but the shoulder is ground back like a shoulderless is. Very unique, I have never seen one like this.

Thanks Guys, Frankinstine's Monster it is then. I have to say I am so taken with it the way it is, I'm going to try to rehouse it in these scales firmly and replace the middle grommit with a slightly bigger one, It is safe as it is with a bit of electrical tape added to it, so it only needs 1mm or less to make it so there would be no risk of damaging the blade or cutting myself.
Silver steel, is not a marketing trick to me, its Silver steel same stuff as I make all sorts of tools and use occasionally as a core steel in blades. Its basically W2 with a tad more carbon. It needs a good 230 degree c temper at an hour plus or it can shatter like glass. Its good stuff indeed. But then so are many other carbon steels when treated properly. Its water hardening if your feeling brave, so presumably can give some kind of hamon if you felt so inclined.
Mmmm maybe I should have a go at some full new scales with it as the blade is unusual as you say but its simply not a Stead Super.

Here is a bit on what is commonly called silver steel

SPECIFICATION DATA SHEET: Silver Steel
TYPICAL ANALYSIS:

C. Si. Cr. Mn.
1.00% 0.30% 0.40% 0.35%

Silver Steel is a 1% carbon tool steel supplied centreless ground to close tolerances. Available in 1, 2 or 3 metre lengths. Non standard sizes can be produced to your specific requirements.

Hardening: Heat to 770/790°C and thoroughly soak. Quench into well agitated water or preferably a 10% brine solution.

Tempering: Heat uniformly and thoroughly at the selected tempering temperatures and hold for at least one hour. For your guidance refer to our colour charts for forging, hardening and tempering.

Tempering °C 150 200 250 300
HRC 64/66 62/64 60/58 54/56

As I say I found it too brittle tempered at anything less than 220, which according to this is only 58 hrc. Whilst 15n20, (Swedish saw blade steel), I also use shows flexibility right up to 63hrc. So its nothing spectacular on paper. But its still a good carbon steel. I suspect this razor is way harder than 58hrc so I wont be testing the edge for flex on a brass rod.