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To comment on a few things.

@Pixelfixed, in materials we can look at hardness as a resistance to deformation. Deformation is a very complex process that involves the slipping of atoms past each...

Hate to be nitpicky but it's electron bombardment and analysis of the ejected x-rays :p

Yes, being a surface technique, this one had a nice coat of oxides which gave those results - polishing first is a must. But it was nice as a first try to get the hang of working with the blades.

I mentioned this in the OP but maybe it wasn't so clear. Basically after presenting everything, there's really no conclusion and further testing is needed. I glossed over a lot. EDX is good down to...

Late transition metals that resist oxidation, (and are usually expensive), i.e. Au, Pt, Pd, Ag, Hg, sometimes Cu is included. Noble metal - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The ones I'm wondering...

Yes, but seawater concentration of Au is at best in the ballpark in the parts per million range. If the Faraday recipes were used it would be in the parts per hundred range, 4 orders of magnitude...

Abstract: Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) was evaluated as a method of testing steel for noble metal content. Two examples of early-mid 19th century razors of English origin, suspected of...