Thread: Steel now and then

Martin103, can you give me your definition of soul? I know it is going to be pretty interesting reply if you do...

Originally Posted by Martin103

Character yes but really its not the same has shaving with a razor that 100-150 years old..............thats soul.

Great thread, and posts #s 9, 4, and 2 are right on. I have new (Hart and Theirs Issard) and very old (Wade & Butchers, Wosty Pipe, Dubl Duck, Mappin & Webb, and C.S. Bresnick Vesuvius) razors, all are great shavers, and I can't say one is better than another, but each one is different and unique.

New razor advantage: Stainless steel

Old razor advantage: Lower cost for a basic razor. Historical value.

Of course, older razors are not going to stay cheap.

though stainless steel has many advantages and is a great metal for many applications, not everyone will agree this is the case with straight razors.

I see no differences in steel quality as far as how a razor performs be it vintage or brand new. Razors don't need space age formulations. For what they have to do the classic alloys seem to work the best. When you monkey with the steel you may gain in one quality but pay a price in another.

What does make a difference is the workmanship. It was far superior years ago than it is now. Of course I'm not including custom class razors.

The reason we talk more vintage is because that is where most of the interest lies. They are way more plentiful than new ones and are way cheaper if you stay away from those certain brands. Also many are interested in restoration and there shouldn't be much to restore in a brand new razor.

Originally Posted by eod7

New razor advantage: Stainless steel

Old razor advantage: Lower cost for a basic razor. Historical value.

Of course, older razors are not going to stay cheap.

Vintage razors are also available in stainless which has been around a fair while.

Bob

The potential for superior performance in steel exists, but it is generally not being exploited by makers, with a few possible exceptions in the custom realm.

As far as soul...just sell someone a cheap razor and add a few decades to its actual age. I handed someone a nice gendai (relatively modern) period tanto and told them it was a koto (early period) piece...they became much more reverent and believed it had a special aura. I like the old stuff too and like the connection to history, but I can't bring myself to think it superior, unless it actually is.

Steels available today are FAR superior to what was available 150 years ago. As was mentioned above, it doesn't take a space age steel to do the job an early steel age steel will do.

I like the vintage aspect. To me, using a piece of shaving gear that may have cost the original owner a week or a month's wages is fascinating. The fact that the razor has withstood the ravages of time and is just as serviceable today was in the 1850's is even more fascinating. Oftimes, I can't help but wonder what the original purchaser did for a living when he bought that razor and why or why not a particular razor was barely or heavily worn. Those guys bought them to use, they didn't buy them to collect them. I buy 'em to use and enjoy as well.

Granted, they take a bit more maintenance than a new stainless steel razor does. To me, that's just part of the fun.

FYI, I shoot a flint lock rifle in addition to my high speed, low drag stuff too. The last three Harley's I've owned have had no electric starters and been kick only for starting.

I suppose I am somewhat to blame on this expression of ancient razors having souls, so I can explain my thoughts.
Some of us are collectors and have restored and honed many razors, old and newer. Being a hobby, learning about them is as much a part, if not more, than actually shaving with them. Learning what was involved back in the day to make them is truly remarkable. Starting with the steel, it was carefully made in smaller batches for it's intended purpose using quite archaic methods of the time. The makers worked hard manually to adjust ingredients and temperatures. The grinders were brought up apprenticed and had to prove themselves worthy of the craft. Their grinds were their signature on time eternal. The animals harvested for scales were living, breathing souls as well. The majestic life they had is part of the anatomy in a fine, antique razor. If one grows to appreciate these things along with the lives devoted to them, it is a truly remarkable thing, especially if one can visualize the previous owners and the history of the item's journey across the seas and continents. Making them do their intended chore is truly rewarding . All these things matter to some of us as we lay it to our face. The feel, the textures, and the sound of the old crucible steel's alto song as whiskers are laid to waste.
No, it is not for everyone as some just want a shave. But some, as I, have come to realize by the razors themselves, that they do indeed have souls. If you appreciate them, they share yours! JMHO.......Tom

New razor advantage: You can find a Masonic for $14.95 on ebay

Old razor advantage: You can find an vintage Masonic on Ebay for a month's wages still.

Some things never change.