Thread: Shavability in TI Razors ?

A silver steel blade is actually a carbon steel blade. I think in the past there has been discussion if the term silver steel is just an advertising ploy or if it really means there is a tiny percentage of silver in the metal. I have seen people say yes there is and no there isn't. So since no one has assayed the metal we really don't know.

My take on this is that the Shefield Silver Steel is an alloy used that has a brighter finish to it than Swedish Steel but honestly I have several TIs and I don't think they shave any better than a host of vintage razors I have from all the well known brands. I think they do retain the edge longer but that is a function of the lead hardening process they use not the alloy.

I think its like alot of the really old blades that had wierd names like carbo magnetic, radium etc.. in those days before people had to justify advertising claims they could make all kinds of wild claims about products.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I think its like alot of the really old blades that had wierd names like carbo magnetic, radium etc.. in those days before people had to justify advertising claims they could make all kinds of wild claims about products.

I hate to admit this, but I also collect banjo's. In the late 1800's there was a model called the "electric" by Fairbanks. We all know that this was not an electric banjo by modern definition; but what a juicy name for an instrument.

You ever get your hands on a Fender banjo? Yes, THAT Fender. I believe they had two popular runs, throughout the 70's and again in the late 90's which is still going. The new ones are not that expensive actually and have a very dynamic sound and a full tone. Those are sweet instruments.

X

I think we had a discussion of Silver steel in an earlier thread. Typically it is a British term for tool steel, meaning one of the high carbon steels that can be heat treated to fairly high properties.
In the US it would be called a tool steel or a high carbon steel. Regular carbon steels are typically less than 1% carbon......low alloy steels 0.3% or less, medium alloy 0.3 to 0.6% carbon, high alloy steels 0.6 to 1.0% carbon. Other materials re added to them but not silver.
I think the term "Silver" was used in the UK to describe the surface finish of their tool (Silver) steel which is usually ground and shiney that same as tool steel bars here in the USA.

As for TI I would think their Silver steel blades are simply a higher alloy ( carbon content) steel that would harden, and therefore take a better edge.

Tony

Greetings,

My 7/8 TI Red Stamina with silver steel is one of my favorite and best shavers. An absolute joy to use.

I just got my SRP TI today and I thought I would give it a little work. It seemed quite sharp out of the box so I honed it on the norton a little bit. I did the first two sets of the non-agressive honing pyramid. Then it shaved 5 days of stubble off with very little drag. I know it isn't fully honed yet, but hey...I shouldn't have even shaved with it yet.... it's a christmas present...sssshhhhhhhh

It does seem that this gives an easier shave than my 5/8 DOVO, but the DOVO just got honed by Randy so that may change.

What number is that one?

Number 113.

What are the numbers of your guys' SRP TI's?

I have #89.

RT

My first experience with a TI was my SRP razor. At the time I had about 40 razors of different brands, most vintage. The TI was such a remarkable shaver that in a short time I got two more. I haven't found an other razors that are as good, and there are some fine ones from Dorko, Filarmonica,and Friuordors. I read what I could find about them, but information related to the top of the line silver stell razors. That includes the top quality classic shaving razors and the knife center eagle brands. Since the lower grades were not mentioned, I assume the information didn't apply.

The most important features seem to be the original blank, how it's ground, how it's hardened and how it's finished. My TIs are all full hollow ground. When they do that, the razor basically has to be perfect to sing, so that says a lot about the quality, a lot of those razors don't make the grade. TI also describes the complex grinding and finishing process and all the steps it takes to get to that highest grade. It must have something to do with the result. Finally, there's lead hardening. It's supposed to be the finest way, and it's
outlawed in most countries because of the environmental threat. TI supposedly has a government license to do it a few times a year. This is probably one of the most important steps, because it determines how good of an edge you get ang how long you keep it. There are detailed discussions of the process on classic shaving and knife center, and it's pretty clear that only the best razors undergo the whole process.

Whatever the magic is, TI knows it and their best razors have it. So silver steel may be a marketing ploy, but like a trademark it signifies a certain level of quality in their line which I have found to be very much to my liking. I have a Bergischer Lowe and a few other of the top Dovos and they don't even come close.