Thread: Damascus Steel

Are damascus steel blades as good as they are cracked up to be. I've heard some say they just can't be beat in terms of holding an edge and I've heard others say they are very difficult to put an edge on. Maybe both statements are true! The question I have if all else is equal, are damascus blades the best shaving razors?

Originally Posted by jim28277

Are damascus steel blades as good as they are cracked up to be. I've heard some say they just can't be beat in terms of holding an edge and I've heard others say they are very difficult to put an edge on.

First the history lesson. W-a-y long ago, damascus was made to solve an armament problem. Swords of iron were too hard and brittle and would snap in two easily. Swords of bronze and softer metals were *too* soft to hold an edge well and were easily damaged. The solution was found by a bladesmith who took a hard metal, and a soft metal, and hammered them together while white hot. The he folded the wedded metals over upon themselves and hammered them together again. This was repeated a number of times. The result was a sword that could take a fantastic edge, and not snap in two during an engagement. A little acid on the blade highlighted the patterns created in the form of swirls of little lines. See:
The Key Role of Impurities in Ancient Damascus Steel Blades

Flash forward to the 19th century. Razor makers seeking decoration for their razors to distiquish them from a very competitive market supply, roll stamped the razor "Damascus". They weren't damacus in the historical sense, just a "tribute" to the damascus process of old. So those old eBay damascus-stamped razors in all likelihood, aren't. But some are, apparently.

Flash forward to the present day .... You have two types of razors that use the name damascus. One is of the DOVO type that isn't really a damascus blade, but has the blade etched in a pseudo-damascus style.


Then you have a real damascus blade, the T-I damascus that is layers of hard steel forged together in the old tradition.


One costs a little over a hundred dollars. The other costs just over a thousand dollars. Any confusion over which costs which?

Thanks for the info. So, are the $1000+ TI Damascus blades that much better than say the regular TI silver steel blades?

Originally Posted by jim28277

Thanks for the info. So, are the $1000+ TI Damascus blades that much better than say the regular TI silver steel blades?

The differences in "quality and performance" are not linear with the difference in prices. Steep-geometric would better describe that curve, LOL.

I can only comment in non technical terms but, I have honed up about six of these razors and when you shave with them you can't even feel the razors coming off. The steel seems very hard. Do I have a bunch of other great shavers? You Bet, but I really like this razor. Maybe it will end up being a hairloom......lol. I'm saving up for one of my own as we speak...... :lol: Lynn

Thanks for the responses guys. I've been drooling over the 5/8 TI Damascus since I saw it on Ray's site. I was kind of hoping you would tell me they are inferior and can't hold an edge worth a dam. I hate it when I start rationalizing! :roll:------ :roll:------ :twisted:-----

I want one BAD!!!!!!!! :lol: Lynn

Lynn, I'll make you a deal. We'll split the cost. I get to use it for the first ten years and you get the next fifty years. Sounds like a plan to me!!
:twisted:

Originally Posted by adjustme69

I want one BAD!!!!!!
!! :lol: Lynn

I may seem crazy but $1000 for a razor seems out of this world to me. Damascus steel on a razor, damm we're not going to be crossing razors with anyone. So I am not worried about it being to hard. However I confess I have never shaved with one so I will rely on the experts on this one.

I'd really like to see a black ceramic Kyocera razor to match their knives. The downside of one would be trying to hone it, but if the diamond pastes would work...