Shavability in TI Razors ?

Hi folks,

given the enthusiastic comments people here share about the sharpness and "shavability" of TI razors, I am currently thinking on getting one myself.

My question is: there is quite a range of razors available e.g. on Classicshaving. Would I get a significant difference in QOS (Quality-of-shave :) ) between the lower price "Le-Dandy", "Super-Gnome", "Evide Sonnant" or "Red-Stamina" ?

I am aware that they are different material, finish etc. - but what I am after is primarily the sharpness and smooth shave plus edge duration. Optics is second :)

Thanks for your comments,
-Axel-

Axel,
I do think most of the price difference is mainly the design and finish. All of a similar blade material should shave about the same once sharp. Ready to shave or not, right out of the box is not really a factor there. Once you get to a different steel type though, stainless, silver, etc.... I think shavability is influenced. But again, ready to shave or not is a matter of who did the final honing at TI and how his day started out <g>. Just like any other worker in any other plant. I know in our foundry and machine shop I wouldn't really want anything made on Monday morning or Friday afternoon <g>

So, basically until you step to a different material in the blade one model will shave about the same as another but the appearance of the razor may make you feel better about that shave..

Tony

Hi Tony,

thanks for your comments. Just to clarify, I was not looking for ready-to-shave but for the so well-regarded sharpness and edge-holding capability of the blades.

The mentioned "versions" of razors differ in carbon and silver steel as well as singing and not-singing.

The latter AFAIK is a question of how it is ground, don't know if this really affects the quality of the shave as well ?!

As you said, the steel quality could possibly have a significant influence. The question to me is: is a carbon steel blade in any way inferior to a silver steel blade - specifically speaking for TI razors ?

-Axel-

As I understand it the only noticable difference to the silver steel is that it polishes up to a higher shine, no active difference in the honing or shaving what-so-ever.

X

Make sure your careful about what you order, the terms your using include vastly different razors. You may need to learn more about the 4/8th, half hollow, singing, full hollow and silver steel models. Some variations are small; variations in the razors you mentioned though are pretty dramatic. Read the descriptions carefully.

Pay attention to the needs of your beard. Is it light, average, dense,coarse,wirey? The more work that a razor has to do will require a different grind or size of blade. I may be mistaken here but I do not believe that all TI's are lead hardened. Of one thing I am sure, they do not all shave the same. I recently honed a silver steel TI and thought it shaved very well.


Just my two cents,:)

Okay, thanks once again for your comments. So I'll save my pennies a few more days and will possibly go for the SRP razor (if still available) or some of the fancier models.

And you bet I'll need this additional time to pepare my Department of Finance for the upcoming expense :)

Thanks to you all,
-Axel-

I'm not sure which are or are not lead hardened, nor do I own the SRP razor, but I can tell you this... I have a heavy 6/8 singing TI with a barber's notch and a fileworked spine, some sort of wood handle. Stamina wood I think. It also has and an eagle on the blade flanked by the words "hollow gound" and "fully warranted". I got it from knifecenter.com nearly 10 years ago. This is hands down my best shaver. I don't know the particulars of it's HT, but it is head asd shoulders above even my Wonderedge. Truly an effortless shave, it glides through whiskers with the ease of a DE. Wish I could comment on the "Silver Steel" TI's. I might pick one up soon, I hear good things. ..............Jeff

Knife Center has their own line of TI razors with their (Knife Centers) exclusive branding, "Eagle Brand". TI as does DOVO will do contract orders. Edwin Jaeger has their own line of TI's as well.

Same quality, different names.


Tony

Quote:

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Originally Posted by threeputt

This is hands down my best shaver. I don't know the particulars of it's HT, but it is head asd shoulders above even my Wonderedge. Truly an effortless shave, it glides through whiskers with the ease of a DE. Wish I could comment on the "Silver Steel" TI's. I might pick one up soon, I hear good things. ..............Jeff

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This is how I feel about my 7/8 TI's. They are by FAR my best shavers. The first pass is unreal! Not sure why, but it's true.

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.

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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.

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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.

I have an Evide Sonnant Extra 5/8 and an SRP L/E 6/8...No. 111.

They are my two favorite shavers. Both were honed by Lynn and are the ones I look forward to using in my rotation.

Jeff

No 77, 78, 79

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Originally Posted by ryan_a

Number 113.

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

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Hi Folks,

just as a follow-up to your kind and rather enthusiastic comments I could not resist but get me a little Xmas present - just ordered a TI Spartacus in 6/8.

Looking forward to be shaving with it,
-Axel-

I have SRP 38 and 39. I also have a 6/8s wolf and sheep brand TI and a carved spine model as well as a damascus and a Pierre Thiers limited edition. I have to tell you the Pierre Thiers is a real sleeper that people don't talk about much but I will tell you that I have about 35 razors including all the famous vintage brands and that razor beats em all including the damascus. Its actually in another category by itself. Personally forged by the master himself in the 1800s.

As I recall on the classic shaving site Ray had a post from the TI rep during the intro on the Damascus Razors and he himself said he doesn't understand all the whoopla over them, if it was up to him he would collect a 7 day set of the thiers limited, that would be a set to have. But at over $400 it would be pricey for most of us.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I have SRP 38 and 39. I also have a 6/8s wolf and sheep brand TI and a carved spine model as well as a damascus and a Pierre Thiers limited edition. I have to tell you the Pierre Thiers is a real sleeper that people don't talk about much but I will tell you that I have about 35 razors including all the famous vintage brands and that razor beats em all including the damascus. Its actually in another category by itself. Personally forged by the master himself in the 1800s.

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Damn, damn, damn.

damn

damn

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Originally Posted by Korndog

Damn, damn, damn.

damn

damn

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i see one vendor claiming 400 made, while antoher claiming 450 made.

Hmm

Quote:

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

.and a Pierre Thiers limited edition. I have to tell you the Pierre Thiers is a real sleeper that people don't talk about much but I will tell you that I have about 35 razors including all the famous vintage brands and that razor beats em all including the damascus. Its actually in another category by itself. Personally forged by the master himself in the 1800s.
As I recall on the classic shaving site Ray had a post from the TI rep during the intro on the Damascus Razors and he himself said he doesn't understand all the whoopla over them, if it was up to him he would collect a 7 day set of the thiers limited, that would be a set to have. But at over $400 it would be pricey for most of us.

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Well guess what Santa brought me. It has a completely different sound and feel than the Singing Blades. More like an old V-8 with solid lifters and such rather than a super humming Formula 1 car. It didn't sharpen up the first time like my other TI's either. I need to go one level down tonight and try again. But I really dig this thing and am sure it's going to be a great shaver. And made by Pierre himself. Way cool!

I have honed several of these and they are indeed sweet shavers. You guys should try the TI Egyptians as well if you love a great smooth shaver. I have about 10 TI's and they will definitely stay in my permanent collection. Lynn

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Originally Posted by adjustme69

I have honed several of these and they are indeed sweet shavers. You guys should try the TI Egyptians as well if you love a great smooth shaver. I have about 10 TI's and they will definitely stay in my permanent collection. Lynn

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Yes, the Egyptian is next on my list of 5/8 razors for sure.

Tis funny that you mention on your 5/8 list Larry. It's funny with some razors like the Egyptians. I can imagine a better shave if that razor was a 6/8 or 7/8. It's just an awesome shaver......lol. Lynn

Quote:

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Originally Posted by adjustme69

Tis funny that you mention on your 5/8 list Larry. It's funny with some razors like the Egyptians. I can imagine a better shave if that razor was a 6/8 or 7/8. It's just an awesome shaver......lol. Lynn

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Yeah, I'm begining to see the light on this now. For a minute I thought I was only going to be buying 7/8+ razors, but have recently changed my tune. I understand the Egyptian has an very heavy spine, feels like a larger razor and cuts like one too.

They have fancy spines with a little heft to them. Marvelous shavers and virtually minimum if any, honing required out of the box. One of the few.....lol. Lynn

Hey Lynn
I am having a hell of a time getting this one right. It's a little better after an agressive sequence but the shave is not quite there; still pulling. I guess I'll try again. Did you find these stubborn at all? All good though..part of the game...lol

Larry, try a few more passes on the 8K after minimal passes on the 4K and then use about 5-10 extra strokes on your finishing hone. Let me know. If you want to call me on it, shoot me an email. Lynn

After reading bigspendur's endorsement of the Pierre Thiers limited edition I got one. Had to hone it but it was minimal, just a few 1/3 passes on the 4k/8k Norton and then to the 12k Shapton. Awesome shaver.

I must admit I was a bit nervous when I started to hone it. It was worth more than the rest of the razor I honed, combined.

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Originally Posted by vladsch

After reading bigspendur's endorsement of the Pierre Thiers limited edition I got one. Had to hone it but it was minimal, just a few 1/3 passes on the 4k/8k Norton and then to the 12k Shapton. Awesome shaver.
I must admit I was a bit nervous when I started to hone it. It was worth more than the rest of the razor I honed, combined.

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Interesting. I still don't have thisone shaving right. wonder why.