Thread: Douglas cutlery

I think you missed this line. "Depending on the blade design some of these razors have heavier blades, as much as .007 not the .002 to .004 of vintage high carbon steel blade." or maybe it was this one, "In the end it comes down to a type of steel that will support a thicker blade profile allowing for a smoother cut through thicker beard, oh, and esthetics." I did not say these blades profile designs was based on vintage blades, quite the opposite. As I pointed out the steel is different and allows for design features that would have been a problem for the vintage blades. That problem would not have been honing it would have been edge chipping (dulling), this is why the worn out quarter hollows you mentioned dull so quickly and why you want to chunk them into the display case instead of using them. As far as the resistance to forward motion (the stiction) during the hone, I haven't really noticed a .030" (less than a 1/32") bevel sticking to the hone with undo force. Neither those who own them nor I seem to have had much difficulty maintaining them, and that in the end is the point. If you don't like the design that's fine my effort here was not to change your mind on that point but rather to point out the wide bevel was by design and not an error as some have maintained. Because I have no desire to simply argue I'll leave it at that.

I am completely ignorant when it comes to honing, especially given that I have never honed a razor. At least we all know how far down I am on the totem pole.

That aside, I would have to question the point of a wide bevel in some regard. I understand where you are coming from with "design features" and how having a hefty bevel would allow for a better degree of durability. However, I imagine whether or not you have a wide bevel or one pretty hollowed out, whacking the edge against anything will do damage. Sure, the thicker steel would have a better chance of having less damage, but the edge would still need attention.

Also, the bevel has to be thinned out to make a cutting edge. Having a wider bevel means initially having to put in more work to get the edge set right the first time. For someone like me who has no experience whatsoever, I would be at a complete loss as far as how to set it up right the first time. I suppose the argument could be made at that point that "Having a wider bevel is meant for experienced honemeisters", but if that were true I would expect to see wide bevels from the top makers of razors.

Again, I am an unlearned man. Call me a self-proclaimed knuckle dragger. I can't help but think about starting off with a wide bevel being on the same vein as trying to use the spine of a chef's knife to cut a tomato. With enough work and honing of the spine it could work, but why not just alter the initial step and use a surface that is more keen to taking an edge initially?

The razors come already beveled and shave ready I would not expect anyone to have to set a bevel on a new blade. As far as the eventual dulling issue that is another advantage to carbon-chromium steels they resists dulling because the thinnest part of the edge can flex without chipping or bending longer than high carbon steel can. Again, it’s spring steel. This is why the thicker blade profile is used, it’s a stiffer spring. Think “band saw” if you make a band saw blade from high carbon steel it will break very quickly, it can’t flex. However if you use carbon-chromium (what they are made of by the way) it will work for a long time because it can flex. It’s not as hard as tool steel but it is more forgiving of damage. The thinner blades made of this steel work just as well as high carbon, and they sing just like high carbon, but the thicker blade profile works smoother, with less flex. The high carbon blades were made thinner and thinner to spread the shock of the edge flexing and reduce edge damage. They became so thin they added the shoulder to prevent horizontal cracking. It was a compromise. With carbon-chromium there is no need for compromise, just make a thicker blade, no vertical crack, no horizontal cracks just a stiff long lasting edge.

It's good to know that they've finally developed metalurgical technology allowing blades to be thicker.

When I see a thread started with members having very low post counts & flooding it with examples of products from one particular manufacturer, I take notice. It's not that I'm immediately suspicious of intent; it's just that I don't want to miss out on the latest , greatest product. With that said, I'm glad there are many razor manufacturers out there. There seems to be a razor out there for everybody.

Now that Douglas Cutlery razors have been placed in this thread for us to enjoy & review, let me make a few comments based upon the information & photos provided.

High carbon steel, a pillar of our civilization for centuries, has taked a beating in this thread. I will not argue Metallurgy with anyone, I have little knowledge of it. But let me show you a picture of some thin grind high carbon steel, that I know for a fact was in use between 1830 to 1840.



It sure has taken a beaten & I'm surprised it did not wear itself out before 1850.
It gave me the best shave I've had to date, a month ago.

The steel in Douglas razors, carbon-chromium alloys, may be the "cat's meow" of steels today, may be? Time will tell if these razors are sought after 100 years from now.
One thing that I can tell from the photos in this thread, is that the individual scaling these razors,,,should be fired. They simply look horrible to me. Roughly cut scales with a pin job that well,,,, I just can't say,,,,,,,
More time on the total package, instead of debating carbon-chromium alloys vs high carbon steel, might get more Douglas razors in the hands of wet shavers.

Tradition means everything to me when choosing a razor. Tradition cannot be obtained overnight and with a few happy customers,,,,,sorry it just cannot be obtained. I wish the best of luck to the owner of Douglas Cutlery.

If God gave you the skill & "1" hour to fly a plane, would you choose the latest F-35 Joint Strike Fighter?
or
would it be the P-51D Mustang??????????

Do I really need to ask,,,

Earnest critisim is something I can deal with, and honestly it's quite refreshing. I do respect the traditional blades they are truly inspirational. And I think the scales are improving with every blade. Oh by the way P51.

Originally Posted by Hirlau

If God gave you the skill & "1" hour to fly a plane, would you choose the latest F-35 Joint Strike Fighter?
or
would it be the P-51D Mustang??????????

SR-71 Blackbird

Originally Posted by HNSB

SR-71 Blackbird

No doubt

I would choose a glider.

Sorry for the irrelevant post...

Fokker DR 1 Tri plane.....ya most definately