- Joined
- Dec 22, 2006
- Messages
- 1,277
I would buy two. 1 for me because it says spyderco on it. 1 for my dad because he still uses one daily.
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Spyderco Straight Razor
- Thread starter AussieMark
- Start date
There are a few of us. As stated earlier, Straight Razors are making something of a comeback. Still a niche market, to be sure but there's just something about honing and stropping an edge that is so fine it will shave your face (not just arm hair) that is very satisfying. I look forward to my shave every day. The lather, the prep, the scents.... the whole process is just very "restorative". I never felt that way about shaving with a Fusion. Don't get me wrong. It did okay. I was actually happier with it than "most" people who wind up with DE or straight razors but, even at that, I actually ENJOY the shave I get with a straight razor. It's not for the person who allows 2.3 minutes in his morning routine for the shave. Even very proficient users need 15 minutes (and newbies should allow an hour!). It's a throw back, to be sure. But one that can give you a lot of satisfaction. If you're interested, you should lurk on straightrazorplace.com or read the How and Why section on classicshaving.com.... Most (>99%?) have no interest but there are intangible rewards for those who do.
Ken
I went back to using a Straight about 12 months ago, and yes there is a market (even here in England!)
I would go along with using VG10, but would be interested in finding our how the H1 steels would perform, as pitting, staining and rusting can be a problem.
I would like to bet that a Spyderco Straight would quickly sell out!
I would go along with using VG10, but would be interested in finding our how the H1 steels would perform, as pitting, staining and rusting can be a problem.
I would like to bet that a Spyderco Straight would quickly sell out!
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2006
- Messages
- 15
Sal,
Poland produces good quality straight razors for under USD$15. Their scales are too heavy (stainless) but they take and maintain a good edge according to the chatter on straight razor place. Maybe you could get the blade made/ground from VG-10 in Poland and add the CF scales in USA. It really is a growing market. Just look at the prices these things sell for on eBay! Maybe you could even get Lynn Abrahams to hone each one. This usually adds $20, but most people think it's well woth it. Just my 4 cents worth.
Poland produces good quality straight razors for under USD$15. Their scales are too heavy (stainless) but they take and maintain a good edge according to the chatter on straight razor place. Maybe you could get the blade made/ground from VG-10 in Poland and add the CF scales in USA. It really is a growing market. Just look at the prices these things sell for on eBay! Maybe you could even get Lynn Abrahams to hone each one. This usually adds $20, but most people think it's well woth it. Just my 4 cents worth.
My friends ask me why I started using a straight razor. I tell them I wanted to turn something mundane and boring into something dangerous and sexy.
The steel issue is not a casual question. Shaving your face with a chunk of hand-sharpened steel is a very specialized application. Subtle differences in how the steel sharpens on barber hones and leather strops will make a huge difference when you put the edge to your face.
The steel issue is not a casual question. Shaving your face with a chunk of hand-sharpened steel is a very specialized application. Subtle differences in how the steel sharpens on barber hones and leather strops will make a huge difference when you put the edge to your face.
I had just a pickle of a time trying to find anyone who listed the hardness of their straight razors. I only found one, and they claim 62-63:
http://www.classicshaving.com/page/page/4497394.htm
Any blade that is going to be very thin and sharpened at a very low angle should be harder than average.
I would guess an improvement upon existing razors would be using the smallest grain possible, maybe some kind of CPM steel, to allow a finer edge.
http://www.classicshaving.com/page/page/4497394.htm
Any blade that is going to be very thin and sharpened at a very low angle should be harder than average.
I would guess an improvement upon existing razors would be using the smallest grain possible, maybe some kind of CPM steel, to allow a finer edge.
I'm a little late on this discussion (just found it!), but as someone who shaves somewhat regularly with a straight razor (not daily, but most weekends, and whenever I have the time), and enjoys it, I'd love to see a Spyderco Straight Razor.
Modern stainless steals are truly amazing, and I think that straight razors are one of the last great holdouts of the carbon steel lovers. Now, don't get me wrong, I have a handful of carbon steel knives, and I love them. In fact, it's about the only thing I'll consider on my slipjoints and whittling knives (I also like D2 for whittling). Heck, two of my three straight razors are carbon steel! But, let's face it. Steels like VG-10, BG-42, and ZDP-189 are modern marvels. Their strength, edge holding, and ease of maintenance make them better candidates than carbon for most purposes.
I would definitely commit to purchasing a Spyderco Straight Razor, provided it was reasonable priced (which I'm not worried about, as I know of no other company that offers the same "bang for the buck" you get with Spyderco).
Modern stainless steals are truly amazing, and I think that straight razors are one of the last great holdouts of the carbon steel lovers. Now, don't get me wrong, I have a handful of carbon steel knives, and I love them. In fact, it's about the only thing I'll consider on my slipjoints and whittling knives (I also like D2 for whittling). Heck, two of my three straight razors are carbon steel! But, let's face it. Steels like VG-10, BG-42, and ZDP-189 are modern marvels. Their strength, edge holding, and ease of maintenance make them better candidates than carbon for most purposes.
I would definitely commit to purchasing a Spyderco Straight Razor, provided it was reasonable priced (which I'm not worried about, as I know of no other company that offers the same "bang for the buck" you get with Spyderco).
Sal,
Just found this thread, and I have to say I'd love to own a Spyderco straight razor. I've been thinking about making the jump from old fashioned safety razors to the straights for a while, and this would definitely make me do it.
As for the steel in use, why not contact that designer that worked with you earlier, and produce the same blade design (or similar blade designs) in a variety of steels, to see which turns out best? If the start-up costs are to large to produce the blades in a variety of steels, then I'd look into contacting custom knife makers for one-offs. Custom knife makers who are already used to producing very limited runs by hand probably hold a comparative advantage over a large business like Spyderco in making what would be prototypes like this. That way you could get a few example blades in different steels (VG-10, S30V, CPM D2 maybe, ZDP-189, etc), send them off to Lynn Abrahams to be honed (I guess the man specializes in honing straight razors?), and you'd be holding onto a series of straight razors in different steels that could then be compared in quality with straight razors in traditional steels by your designer (the specialist in the field).
At the end, you'd have pretty conclusive evidence of whether or not the new super-stainless steels are any good for razors, and you'd be well on the track to bringing a spyderco straight to market with minimum investment in tooling/etc until you're sure of the steel you want to use, and just how well it'll perform.
Just found this thread, and I have to say I'd love to own a Spyderco straight razor. I've been thinking about making the jump from old fashioned safety razors to the straights for a while, and this would definitely make me do it.
As for the steel in use, why not contact that designer that worked with you earlier, and produce the same blade design (or similar blade designs) in a variety of steels, to see which turns out best? If the start-up costs are to large to produce the blades in a variety of steels, then I'd look into contacting custom knife makers for one-offs. Custom knife makers who are already used to producing very limited runs by hand probably hold a comparative advantage over a large business like Spyderco in making what would be prototypes like this. That way you could get a few example blades in different steels (VG-10, S30V, CPM D2 maybe, ZDP-189, etc), send them off to Lynn Abrahams to be honed (I guess the man specializes in honing straight razors?), and you'd be holding onto a series of straight razors in different steels that could then be compared in quality with straight razors in traditional steels by your designer (the specialist in the field).
At the end, you'd have pretty conclusive evidence of whether or not the new super-stainless steels are any good for razors, and you'd be well on the track to bringing a spyderco straight to market with minimum investment in tooling/etc until you're sure of the steel you want to use, and just how well it'll perform.
- Joined
- Dec 8, 2005
- Messages
- 429
Put me down for a Spyderco straight razor.
H1 would definitely be a great steel choice -- nothing like it in use by any manufacturer or maker of past or present.
VG-10 would also be another great option. I've gotten exceptionally sharp edges on VG-10 myself; based on Ed Schempp's statements on it, I see it as very viable. Joe Chandler has made his razors using CPM154CM (Rc in low 60s), so VG-10 would be very comparable, IMO.
VG-10 would also be another great option. I've gotten exceptionally sharp edges on VG-10 myself; based on Ed Schempp's statements on it, I see it as very viable. Joe Chandler has made his razors using CPM154CM (Rc in low 60s), so VG-10 would be very comparable, IMO.