Late to the video but I'd say that the harsh competition at the time played a major role; razor making cities were all packed with manufacturers that all had to compete with eachother and every barber would know exactly which razors were worth buying, it didn't hurt that the trade was still very much alive in these 'recently' industrialised cities and highly skilled workers, with knowledge passed down from master to apprentice through generations were around in abundance, not that a modern engineer couldn't figure out how to make an excellent razor but the craftsmanship of razor making, as it had evolved over hundreds of years, has been mostly forgotten by now. Another not insignificant thing to consider is that by the late 1800s they had just started getting a really good grasp on thermodynamics and by extension, metallurgy, Gibbs for example was born as late as 1839. If you ask me, all of these factors combined are the reason for why the golden age of straight razors were in the years between the late 19th century until early/mid 20th century, it was the only era in which there was a major demand for straight razors, with skilled workers able to fill it, that they also had advanced manufacturing techniques capable of keeping consistently good quality and a decent understanding of the science necessary to further improve both the alloys and their heat treatment.
Your a cornucopia of knowledge Matt, I had no idea about Frame back razors, 4 types! Wow. Great video. Your right about old sheffield steel, and the polish finishes can no longer be matched.
I've got some razors from Eskilstuna, and it's very good steal. In the old town of Eskilstuna, there was many manufacturer with their own blacksmiths, and these Craftsmen knew how to harden the steal. These blades are not so hard as the new made factory blades all hardened the exact same way. Thanks for putting out your videos!
I suspect the very old razors were made by blacksmiths trained in the traditional art rather than the business. The jewels that came out, not all were, were uniquely good examples of the alchemists art.
Gregory Wille - Thanks for the reply Greg. So you think it’s more craftsmanship and pride in their work VS the mass produced bean counters today. I can’t disagree with that.
My dad was born in the 1800s and raised on a farm in Wisconsin. I remember his talking about the magical steel one of his older brothers made, a well known regional Swedish blacksmith, when making a scythe. He described it a being “drawn out” rather than ground and could cut a man’s arm clean off in a single swipe if you were not careful. I was told my grandfather would use a broken off end of one of these tools as a razor. I always thought this was just a family legend but maybe there was something about the old traditional techniques that produced unique edges....nice thought though.
I have a video where I shave with one but don't sharpen it. They sharpen the same way as any other razor. Some people recommend tape on the spine because it's not hardened therefore wears very quickly on the stones.
Great Video! To be honest like everything else in the 18th and 19th century I think they understood that they could make more money using that steel for other purposes. There is always pros and cons to R&D and I believe one of the cons is one sacrificing quality for cost! Using harder steels would also be more forgiving and be more compatible to non man operated machines. Or they could have just shied away from using that steel for straight razors altogether knowing they could utilize that steel for other valuable and higher selling products. Ie. Sheffield cutlery used to be made in silver where as silver sells faster as a necklace rather Than a water decanter. I’m just guessing but great vid! Love how you implement the audience in!
Cleaner steel with less alloying agents with a better heat treat. This will result in finer grain structure with smaller carbides to a finer edge. All theroy but cost is most likely main issue with such a small market for straights.
Outstanding razor I’ve only seen one other of them and that’s been away back. Killer job on the restoration literally. I have too agree there is a reason why this new steel in the razors today, there’s just something that’s they may think of environmentally bad for something, also where everything gets recycled theses days the quality of this steel varies. I watch Forged in Fire all the time and the metal they give them too use is just not good quality, they don’t want too forge weld good and they have a lot of stress fractures in them. I believe it’s a lower quality of steel, but I’m just guessing. Great video and love the history you told about the razor.
I would like to know why this frame back's blade is wider at the tip? The old Wade and Butcher meat chopper was also wider at the tip so there must be a reason?
Great video! Question for you, what does progressing down from 6/8th to 5/8th offer to the quality and or feel of the shave? As for your question, I have no experience or knowledge on why old steel is "in general" better. That said some of the comments I hear about the high quality custom makers straight makes me wonder if in fact they may still be able to craft in the older ways. Companies have higher restrictions to adhere to.
Doug Bear - Good point Doug regarding the artisan razor makers. I was directing the question more to the mass produced companies making razors. I think the artisans can make them as well and many far surpass the old stuff but I don’t think they’re under the same EPA/OSHA regulations, if any. I could be wrong.
Doug Bear - About the quality or feel of the shave as the razor progresses down from a 6/8 To 5/8. Done properly like this, no difference in feel. But, if done like many or most razors that get narrower at the heel yet the spine thickness is constant, the bevel angle increases as you move toward the heel. Increased bevel angle can give a sluggish, almost dull feel to the edge.
Outstanding shave Dr. Matt. I think your theory is spot on. I've honed a ton of razors and I got to where I would rather hone a vintage razor like my Griffon Double X than I would anything else. The composition of the materials was pretty specific back in the old days and I do think that it makes a difference.
Again, great shave and enjoy your knowledge on this topic. I wish I had been given and shown how to use a straight razor as a your boy. I am slowly teaching my son. But have three best shave with mine.
Dr. Matt. I watched a video of yours a few nights ago, and cant find it anymore.Anyway,you talked about a short blade razor. It was like 2 &5/8" not the usual 3". you said how you could whip it around your face real nicely. You sent your measurements to to a razor maker. I dont remember the name(Duh) but it was on the razor. Etched in the blade.. I would like to find a shorter razor for me. Im kind of new to the straight razor gig. My 2 problems are I shave around a fairly large and long gotee. Number 2,, I cant do anything, (i mean anything) with my left hand.Should i just give up on the straight razor...LOL
Great shave. I used an Eskilstuna frameback this morning - paid 2 dollars for it! I believe framebacks were produced to get a lower cost thanks to the ease (standardization) of the manufacturing.
My 2 cents: in modern days we have excellent steels, better than the past and with a lot more options to choose but the market is smaller so for profit some brands choose a balance beetween speed of selling (producing costs) and affordability. For an entry level razor some limitations are acceptable, given a basic good cutting performance. Applies also on fit and finish. Steel is important but even the forging process and the heat treatment with multiple "tempering" phases. To do a state of the art heat treatment takes time and energy so it is not for every brand, it will raise up the final cost. Same for the forging process. A good steel with perfect heat treatment and forged is IMO way better than a "wonder steel" with a fast heat treatment or not forged. Blade geometries are also a problem for some modern economic razors. 🇮🇹
Good question Dr Matt. The best answer may come from an Occupational Health and Safety person who may have a list of banned substances used in larger scale metal production. However I wouldn't expect an answer from someone like that anytime soon :)
Great video. I always learn something new watching these. IMO, the frame back design is likely an attempt at building razors for cheaper. Instead of starting with a larger piece, and grinding away a lot of material, they could forge the blade, and the frame separately, from less steel to begin with, and in less time, and then join them. As far as old vs new steel, I again feel a lot of the problem is saving time to make razors affordable. I believe there are modern day blacksmiths, who have the knowledge, and will take the time to prepare the steel perfectly. Of course, such a razor will be in the $1,000, but could be as good as it can get. This makes the vintage razors attractive as they will cost a fraction, yet some are actually still new, and unused, though very old.
evo - Thanks for the input. It is possible to get some nicely made custom razor’s from guys here in the states in the $300 range. One of the best I’ve seen is Koraat in Austria and he’s $300-$400.
I would have to agree with you that the metals produced today ,whether it is steel, gold, aluminium etc is not the same as years ago. I am a goldsmith and I can tell you for sure the metals they add to pure gold to karatize it is of lower quality than years ago. This is done to cut costs. But what is the advantage. None in my opinion. All you end up with in the end is a very frustrated customer that does not understand this concept and why is my ring falling apart. Thank you for sharing your shaving video and sharpening knowledge. Take care, Paul. 😎🇨🇦
Great video as always. I think quality was sacraficed for quantity. My older knifes I have hold a better edge than my newer ones from the same manufacturer.
Nice video, Dr. Matt. I believe that the soap is pronounced Holy Cow (as pronounced by the Cubs sports announcer, Harry Carey, who pronounced it like they spell it”Wholly Kaw”). I could be mistaken. Ask the guy who makes the stuff cause I’d like to know.
billlewis141 - Thanks Bill but the 3 letters, KAW can only properly be pronounced one way. Being from Chicago, I know Harry Carey was such a boozer that by the seventh inning stretch, there weren’t too many 3 letter words he could pronounce correctly!😝
EVERYTHING was better. Foods, clothes, goods and services, you name it. 'Organic' wasn't something foods were labeled as because nothing else existed. Things were not mass produced on the level that things are today and the materials used to make things were in their purest forms. Have you seen any NEW graystone homes??? Craftsmen took their time making quality products and it meant something because their name/reputation was on it. I just bought a James H. Flagg New York vintage frameback straight razor dated January 2,1899 made in France and even in the pics, you can tell the difference in quality. Great vid too!
I believe that Swedish iron ore, being one of the purest in the world, produces very hard steel. Did you notice that the honing was any more difficult with respect to removing material? If so, this might support this hypothesis, one that a few Swedes (I work in in Sweden 12 weeks/year) have posited to me. The mines where this ore comes from are no longer profitable as the extraction processes are too expensive (perhaps this is the result of environmental regulations--Sweden does have a lot of environmental regulations). These comments are NOT based on evidenced research but anecdotal evidence, so take them as mere possibility not fact. I will dig into this further.
But the old razors that where crappy made, even from the same factory, are all scraped. The razors that survived the time are the few examples that performed so well to withstand the time. Soon maybe 99% of the razors this company made, where junk and this is the only one that performed well. 150 years of sorting out...
It's funny you say this Alx. I've had several of these exact razors and none performed like this. In fact a few were downright junk, incapable of taking an edge.
A lot of modern steels should be superior to what was available 100+ years ago meaning we should be seeing better razors. It just seems none of the big mass producers ( dovo, TI, wtc) are actually using good steel. I’ve almost never seen the steel type advertised on a razor how it usually is on higher end kitchen knife. I think the potential is there for better razors, it’s just not being done. I assume the main thing effecting modern razors is that they are most likely made from steel that was intended for knives, being lower in carbon and a bit softer so knives don’t chip. Most likely the old razors use steel with a higher carbon content making them quite a bit harder. Have you found that older razors are harder steel? Or just different in some other way
REGINALD GREEN - So do you think the raw materials are different by choice Regi or do you think they’re not allowed to use certain ones like they used to?
The making of the straight razor much like the parlors of old is a lost art, and skill set. It is based on profit margins for the share holders. We have gone from the original raw material to the substituted recycled materials being used. Each time we reuse a product the natural consistency changes. We have gone from coal to BOS and or EAF to produce metals, thus changing the way properties react during the manufacturing process. In my best Bumpy Johnson voice....."This is the problem. This is what's wrong with America. It's gotten so big, you just can't find your way. The grocery store on the corner is now a supermarket. The candy store is a McDonald's. Where's the pride of craftsmanship and ownership, huh? Where's the personal service? You see what I mean? Mass production, with regard to personal design. I mean, what right do they have, of cutting out the suppliers, pushing out all the middlemen, buying direct from the mass manufacturer?"
craftsmanship, just look at older buildings! if you were to build a house like they did a 100 years ago, you would not be able to afford it. You "cut" corners when you are making things widely affordable. A skilled blacksmith who would spend a week creating your razor would cost so much that hardly anyone would buy them...back in the days labour was cheap, but good.
There was, especially in the old town of Eskilstuna where all the blacksmiths where located in the heart of the town. Steal was the pride of Eskilstuna!
As an environmental protection specialist I do not believe the NESHAP standards apply to the quality of iron and steel production. I do believe that the reduce and reuse process together with mass production of steel blanks used for multiple items including straight razors effects the quality on a major level. On that thought in an economical sense I do not believe that the companies mind because if something is cheap to make it brings higher revenue. Great Upload Doc!
Aside from your country's Smok'n hot women and affinity for kink, they also have a long standing reputation for great steel that makes beautiful wicked sharp stuff! Thanks for stopping by. ;-)
sharpening them feel really magic
Late to the video but I'd say that the harsh competition at the time played a major role;
razor making cities were all packed with manufacturers that all had to compete with eachother and every barber would know exactly which razors were worth buying,
it didn't hurt that the trade was still very much alive in these 'recently' industrialised cities and highly skilled workers, with knowledge passed down from master to apprentice through generations were around in abundance, not that a modern engineer couldn't figure out how to make an excellent razor but the craftsmanship of razor making, as it had evolved over hundreds of years, has been mostly forgotten by now.
Another not insignificant thing to consider is that by the late 1800s they had just started getting a really good grasp on thermodynamics and by extension, metallurgy, Gibbs for example was born as late as 1839.
If you ask me, all of these factors combined are the reason for why the golden age of straight razors were in the years between the late 19th century until early/mid 20th century,
it was the only era in which there was a major demand for straight razors, with skilled workers able to fill it, that they also had advanced manufacturing techniques capable of keeping consistently good quality and a decent understanding of the science necessary to further improve both the alloys and their heat treatment.
Great reply! Thanks for stopping by.
@@drmatt357 and thank you for the videos
Your a cornucopia of knowledge Matt, I had no idea about Frame back razors, 4 types! Wow. Great video.
Your right about old sheffield steel, and the polish finishes can no longer be matched.
I've got some razors from Eskilstuna, and it's very good steal. In the old town of Eskilstuna, there was many manufacturer with their own blacksmiths, and these Craftsmen knew how to harden the steal. These blades are not so hard as the new made factory blades all hardened the exact same way. Thanks for putting out your videos!
Mikael Båge - Thanks for the comment. I’ve had several frame backs since making this video and none have performed as well.
Incredible shave Dr Matt. I LOVE my Engstrom FB, and agree that once you dial them in, they are amazing shavers.
been watching your straight razor video s awsome i am getting my first straight razor by jerry stark very nice work he does cant wait
I suspect the very old razors were made by blacksmiths trained in the traditional art rather than the business. The jewels that came out, not all were, were uniquely good examples of the alchemists art.
Gregory Wille - Thanks for the reply Greg. So you think it’s more craftsmanship and pride in their work VS the mass produced bean counters today. I can’t disagree with that.
My dad was born in the 1800s and raised on a farm in Wisconsin. I remember his talking about the magical steel one of his older brothers made, a well known regional Swedish blacksmith, when making a scythe. He described it a being “drawn out” rather than ground and could cut a man’s arm clean off in a single swipe if you were not careful. I was told my grandfather would use a broken off end of one of these tools as a razor. I always thought this was just a family legend but maybe there was something about the old traditional techniques that produced unique edges....nice thought though.
Do you have a film where you hone a frameback. I have one now and I think its Damascus steel. This is layers on the blade.
I have a video where I shave with one but don't sharpen it. They sharpen the same way as any other razor. Some people recommend tape on the spine because it's not hardened therefore wears very quickly on the stones.
Great Video! To be honest like everything else in the 18th and 19th century I think they understood that they could make more money using that steel for other purposes. There is always pros and cons to R&D and I believe one of the cons is one sacrificing quality for cost! Using harder steels would also be more forgiving and be more compatible to non man operated machines. Or they could have just shied away from using that steel for straight razors altogether knowing they could utilize that steel for other valuable and higher selling products. Ie. Sheffield cutlery used to be made in silver where as silver sells faster as a necklace rather Than a water decanter. I’m just guessing but great vid! Love how you implement the audience in!
Castle Shave - Thanks for the input. Much appreciated. 😁
Excellent shave 💈👍💈
Cleaner steel with less alloying agents with a better heat treat. This will result in finer grain structure with smaller carbides to a finer edge. All theroy but cost is most likely main issue with such a small market for straights.
just picked up my first frame back and it does not pass the tap and wobble test! does it need to how do I set the bevel?
Great vid! Nice job cleaning up that beautiful razor. You do great work!
David chaffin - Thanks Dave.
Outstanding razor I’ve only seen one other of them and that’s been away back. Killer job on the restoration literally. I have too agree there is a reason why this new steel in the razors today, there’s just something that’s they may think of environmentally bad for something, also where everything gets recycled theses days the quality of this steel varies. I watch Forged in Fire all the time and the metal they give them too use is just not good quality, they don’t want too forge weld good and they have a lot of stress fractures in them. I believe it’s a lower quality of steel, but I’m just guessing. Great video and love the history you told about the razor.
Lucas Huff - Thanks Luke. I never thought about the recycled steel added into the mix...
Great shave! Thanks for another video lol. That razor is pretty cool!
Sean Mason - You’re welcome Sean and thanks for tuning in.
Great looking old razor 👍
Woohoo! Thanks for the video! You did an amazing job on a pseudo restoration, sir
ised8uwell - Thanks and glad you could tune in.
I would like to know why this frame back's blade is wider at the tip? The old Wade and Butcher meat chopper was also wider at the tip so there must be a reason?
Good question Bob, I don't really know. I’m thinking just cosmetic to set it apart from the others.
Great video! Question for you, what does progressing down from 6/8th to 5/8th offer to the quality and or feel of the shave?
As for your question, I have no experience or knowledge on why old steel is "in general" better. That said some of the comments I hear about the high quality custom makers straight makes me wonder if in fact they may still be able to craft in the older ways. Companies have higher restrictions to adhere to.
BTW: nice finish Mr. Blue Sky 😉
Doug Bear - Good point Doug regarding the artisan razor makers. I was directing the question more to the mass produced companies making razors.
I think the artisans can make them as well and many far surpass the old stuff but I don’t think they’re under the same EPA/OSHA regulations, if any. I could be wrong.
Doug Bear - About the quality or feel of the shave as the razor progresses down from a 6/8 To 5/8. Done properly like this, no difference in feel. But, if done like many or most razors that get narrower at the heel yet the spine thickness is constant, the bevel angle increases as you move toward the heel. Increased bevel angle can give a sluggish, almost dull feel to the edge.
Outstanding shave Dr. Matt. I think your theory is spot on. I've honed a ton of razors and I got to where I would rather hone a vintage razor like my Griffon Double X than I would anything else. The composition of the materials was pretty specific back in the old days and I do think that it makes a difference.
Stephen Davidson - Thanks Steve. I agree!
Again, great shave and enjoy your knowledge on this topic. I wish I had been given and shown how to use a straight razor as a your boy. I am slowly teaching my son. But have three best shave with mine.
Thanks Mark. My boys see me do it but they haven't expressed interest yet.
Dr. Matt. I watched a video of yours a few nights ago, and cant find it anymore.Anyway,you talked about a short blade razor. It was like 2 &5/8" not the usual 3". you said how you could whip it around your face real nicely. You sent your measurements to to a razor maker. I dont remember the name(Duh) but it was on the razor. Etched in the blade.. I would like to find a shorter razor for me. Im kind of new to the straight razor gig. My 2 problems are I shave around a fairly large and long gotee. Number 2,, I cant do anything, (i mean anything) with my left hand.Should i just give up on the straight razor...LOL
Here is the video: th-cam.com/video/ptgZqXr57BQ/w-d-xo.html If you're interested in one, email me first, drmatt1911@gmail.com
Great shave. I used an Eskilstuna frameback this morning - paid 2 dollars for it!
I believe framebacks were produced to get a lower cost thanks to the ease (standardization) of the manufacturing.
Good point. Probably much cheaper than grinding.
Is honing the same as any other straight razor?
I just bought a joh Engstrom from around that era. Maybe even older, and I was wondering if you’d peak at it?
Sure, send me an email with some pics. drmatt357@hotmail.com
DrMatt357 I sent the email hopefully it went through.
My 2 cents: in modern days we have excellent steels, better than the past and with a lot more options to choose but the market is smaller so for profit some brands choose a balance beetween speed of selling (producing costs) and affordability.
For an entry level razor some limitations are acceptable, given a basic good cutting performance.
Applies also on fit and finish.
Steel is important but even the forging process and the heat treatment with multiple "tempering" phases.
To do a state of the art heat treatment takes time and energy so it is not for every brand, it will raise up the final cost.
Same for the forging process.
A good steel with perfect heat treatment and forged is IMO way better than a "wonder steel" with a fast heat treatment or not forged.
Blade geometries are also a problem for some modern economic razors.
🇮🇹
Great info. Thanks!
Another enjoyable video. On behalf of the community, thank you.
REGINALD GREEN - Thanks and you’re welcome Reg.
How many shaves would you be able to get on the average razor before having to resharpen it?
Everyone is different but I find after a dozen shaves, I re-sharpen it. Only takes 3 minutes.
The best quality veins of ore has bin used up
Good question Dr Matt. The best answer may come from an Occupational Health and Safety person who may have a list of banned substances used in larger scale metal production. However I wouldn't expect an answer from someone like that anytime soon :)
Gord Henry - Exactly!😉
Great video. I always learn something new watching these. IMO, the frame back design is likely an attempt at building razors for cheaper. Instead of starting with a larger piece, and grinding away a lot of material, they could forge the blade, and the frame separately, from less steel to begin with, and in less time, and then join them. As far as old vs new steel, I again feel a lot of the problem is saving time to make razors affordable. I believe there are modern day blacksmiths, who have the knowledge, and will take the time to prepare the steel perfectly. Of course, such a razor will be in the $1,000, but could be as good as it can get. This makes the vintage razors attractive as they will cost a fraction, yet some are actually still new, and unused, though very old.
evo - Thanks for the input. It is possible to get some nicely made custom razor’s from guys here in the states in the $300 range. One of the best I’ve seen is Koraat in Austria and he’s $300-$400.
Thanks for the recommendation, I will check Koraat out.
Lead quenching and the coal firing. The artisans in the day watched the molten steel not measured temperature to see when it was right
I would have to agree with you that the metals produced today ,whether it is steel, gold, aluminium etc is not the same as years ago. I am a goldsmith and I can tell you for sure the metals they add to pure gold to karatize it is of lower quality than years ago. This is done to cut costs. But what is the advantage. None in my opinion. All you end up with in the end is a very frustrated customer that does not understand this concept and why is my ring falling apart. Thank you for sharing your shaving video and sharpening knowledge. Take care, Paul. 😎🇨🇦
Thanks for tuning in Paul and the comments. 😁
Great video as always. I think quality was sacraficed for quantity. My older knifes I have hold a better edge than my newer ones from the same manufacturer.
Nice video, Dr. Matt. I believe that the soap is pronounced Holy Cow (as pronounced by the Cubs sports announcer, Harry Carey, who pronounced it like they spell it”Wholly Kaw”). I could be mistaken. Ask the guy who makes the stuff cause I’d like to know.
billlewis141 - Thanks Bill but the 3 letters, KAW can only properly be pronounced one way. Being from Chicago, I know Harry Carey was such a boozer that by the seventh inning stretch, there weren’t too many 3 letter words he could pronounce correctly!😝
I went directly to the source and they verified your pronunciation. I stand corrected! (They had an interesting story behind it)
LOL . Thanks for checking Bill.😆
Nice video Matt
🤘😃🤘
EVERYTHING was better. Foods, clothes, goods and services, you name it. 'Organic' wasn't something foods were labeled as because nothing else existed. Things were not mass produced on the level that things are today and the materials used to make things were in their purest forms. Have you seen any NEW graystone homes??? Craftsmen took their time making quality products and it meant something because their name/reputation was on it. I just bought a James H. Flagg New York vintage frameback straight razor dated January 2,1899 made in France and even in the pics, you can tell the difference in quality. Great vid too!
I have a frameback
Nothing is made to the same quality
Don't disagree with you Bill. Thanks for tuning in.😄
I believe that Swedish iron ore, being one of the purest in the world, produces very hard steel. Did you notice that the honing was any more difficult with respect to removing material? If so, this might support this hypothesis, one that a few Swedes (I work in in Sweden 12 weeks/year) have posited to me. The mines where this ore comes from are no longer profitable as the extraction processes are too expensive (perhaps this is the result of environmental regulations--Sweden does have a lot of environmental regulations). These comments are NOT based on evidenced research but anecdotal evidence, so take them as mere possibility not fact. I will dig into this further.
Great information Hossein. Thanks.
I still think the toledo steel from filly is better
Nice looking lather Matt! Do you start off with a mostly dry brush?
Michael Shults - Thanks Mike. I let the brush soak while in the shower, squeeze it but not too hard and definitely don’t shake it.
But the old razors that where crappy made, even from the same factory, are all scraped. The razors that survived the time are the few examples that performed so well to withstand the time.
Soon maybe 99% of the razors this company made, where junk and this is the only one that performed well. 150 years of sorting out...
It's funny you say this Alx. I've had several of these exact razors and none performed like this. In fact a few were downright junk, incapable of taking an edge.
Hey Doc how do I send you are razor? I wanna try one of your coticule edges
Click on the pic at the end of the video or this th-cam.com/video/qiM1i5Z9n0M/w-d-xo.html
Have a excellent weekend.
sounds like a bunch of math to get the edge...would like to see a video on how to do this from start to sharp...l8r
I've thought about doing a video on bevel angle and how to calculate but thought it may be too boring and analytical. I do it in Xcel with a formula.
A lot of modern steels should be superior to what was available 100+ years ago meaning we should be seeing better razors. It just seems none of the big mass producers ( dovo, TI, wtc) are actually using good steel. I’ve almost never seen the steel type advertised on a razor how it usually is on higher end kitchen knife. I think the potential is there for better razors, it’s just not being done. I assume the main thing effecting modern razors is that they are most likely made from steel that was intended for knives, being lower in carbon and a bit softer so knives don’t chip. Most likely the old razors use steel with a higher carbon content making them quite a bit harder. Have you found that older razors are harder steel? Or just different in some other way
Good points. I think the custom guys have better steel but that's why the cost is up there.
I never used a frameback, which is nuts.
Nicholas Fanzo - email me Nick. drmatt357@hotmail
Raw materials are the key
REGINALD GREEN - So do you think the raw materials are different by choice Regi or do you think they’re not allowed to use certain ones like they used to?
The making of the straight razor much like the parlors of old is a lost art, and skill set. It is based on profit margins for the share holders. We have gone from the original raw material to the substituted recycled materials being used. Each time we reuse a product the natural consistency changes. We have gone from coal to BOS and or EAF to produce metals, thus changing the way properties react during the manufacturing process. In my best Bumpy Johnson voice....."This is the problem. This is what's wrong with America. It's gotten so big, you just can't find your way. The grocery store on the corner is now a supermarket. The candy store is a McDonald's. Where's the pride of craftsmanship and ownership, huh? Where's the personal service? You see what I mean? Mass production, with regard to personal design. I mean, what right do they have, of cutting out the suppliers, pushing out all the middlemen, buying direct from the mass manufacturer?"
craftsmanship, just look at older buildings! if you were to build a house like they did a 100 years ago, you would not be able to afford it. You "cut" corners when you are making things widely affordable. A skilled blacksmith who would spend a week creating your razor would cost so much that hardly anyone would buy them...back in the days labour was cheap, but good.
Maybe there was more competition during the time when men routinely shaved with straight razors. As a result you had better razors.
Definitely way more people used them so very possible. Thanks.
There was, especially in the old town of Eskilstuna where all the blacksmiths where located in the heart of the town. Steal was the pride of Eskilstuna!
As an environmental protection specialist I do not believe the NESHAP standards apply to the quality of iron and steel production. I do believe that the reduce and reuse process together with mass production of steel blanks used for multiple items including straight razors effects the quality on a major level. On that thought in an economical sense I do not believe that the companies mind because if something is cheap to make it brings higher revenue. Great Upload Doc!
Thanks for the comments and tuning in Mike.
I saw Swedish and I clicked.... simply because I'm part Swedish lol
Aside from your country's Smok'n hot women and affinity for kink, they also have a long standing reputation for great steel that makes beautiful wicked sharp stuff! Thanks for stopping by. ;-)