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2020 Rocnel Sailor adjustable razor production model

Rocnel has some really innovative designs, but I don't for a minute believe that the steel used is 316L. I had a Rocnel Elite 2017 that had a dent from a drop of about one foot onto a cheap cafeteria table (hardly a hard surface), and I have seen other Rocnel razors on BST with abnormally deep scratches and gashes. Whatever steel Rocnel is using, it's very, very soft.
So they’re lying about the steel they’re using? That would be odd.
 
Rocnel has some really innovative designs, but I don't for a minute believe that the steel used is 316L. I had a Rocnel Elite 2017 that had a dent from a drop of about one foot onto a cheap cafeteria table (hardly a hard surface), and I have seen other Rocnel razors on BST with abnormally deep scratches and gashes. Whatever steel Rocnel is using, it's very, very soft.
I agree-the steel is soft. My razor is always horizontal, never dropped, but there were small scratches. Wolfman is lying next to me-no scratches.
 
So they’re lying about the steel they’re using? That would be odd.

My rocnel's head picked up a tiny scratch merely by the disassembled handle falling onto it so I agree that the surface hardness seems less than expected.

There could be another explanation - I do not believe that Murat would have intentionally used a different softer steel but called it 316L instead.

For starters 316L may not be especially hard anyway in its base configuration. I read in this article that 316L that is used for making watch cases is frequently hardened by way of heat or other treatments but base 316L is in fact less hard than titanium and only a little harder than gold.


I have no specialised knowledge in this area but perhaps other razor makers tend to use stainless steels that have undergone hardening process?

Another point to note is that 316L may not that much more expensive to purchase than 303 or 304 anyway. Murat may have used 316L that has not been hardened also because it is easier to machine.

There could be any of these or other explanations so it would be good if othe remembers here who have more knowledge about the steels used in razor manufacture can add their comments.
 
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To be completely honest, I find the alloy to be quite abysmal. I aquired a shiner due to a mishap of washing the razor too closely to my facet, when I flipped the razor it hit the edge of the tap and created a dent resembling a chip. Sorry for the poor photo (indoor lighting). The dent is right at the middle top end of the top cap that resembles a sparkle. Probably took off almost half a millimeter. It's a total buzzkill.
IMG_20210124_190936.jpg
 
To be completely honest, I find the alloy to be quite abysmal. I aquired a shiner due to a mishap of washing the razor too closely to my facet, when I flipped the razor it hit the edge of the tap and created a dent resembling a chip. Sorry for the poor photo (indoor lighting). The dent is right at the middle top end of the top cap that resembles a sparkle. Probably took off almost half a millimeter. It's a total buzzkill.View attachment 1213134
I am sorry to see this happened to you. I contemplated buying this razor but was put off by dealing with an international purchase. Now I’m glad I didn’t. By all accounts it’s an amazing shaver and certainly beautiful. But, I’m reading too many people indicating the steel seems unusually soft. It’s too expensive a piece for materials to be an acceptable issue for me.
 
I am sorry to see this happened to you. I contemplated buying this razor but was put off by dealing with an international purchase. Now I’m glad I didn’t. By all accounts it’s an amazing shaver and certainly beautiful. But, I’m reading too many people indicating the steel seems unusually soft. It’s too expensive a piece for materials to be an acceptable issue for me.
Thank you sir. I guess I could be an example of what NOT to do with this razor lol. Oh well, mistakes do happen. I understand where you are coming from regarding international purchases. I believe Bullgoose will be carrying some products from Rocnel later on this year.
 
Ti could be a good off-set considering how bulky a lot of Rocnel razors are (and because of the soft steel he is using).
I don't think the Titanium version will be out until maybe next year. Yes, the weight could be greatly offset by using titanium, but the 2021 version coming in at 138 grams already offers a weight reduction closer to 50 grams compared to the 2020 Sailor. It also looks to have a slimmer head. Not sure of the handle length, but it could be possibly be shortened as well. Hard to determine from that picture above as it's coming in from an angle.
 
I hate to hear about the scratches and dings on the Sailors but I am certain the material is 316L and has been since 2014. I know because I asked specifically because of this thread and was provided cut sheets of the material. Murat is on Instagram and has always been pretty accessible to me. Maybe 316L is "soft", I've no idea, but accusing a manufacturer of lying about anything let alone materials used is a pretty strong accusation to make when the answer is pretty damned easy to ask. I had the answer in 5 minutes.

The first day I got my 2017 I unscrewed the adjuster and the barrel bounced off a tile floor a couple of time. No scratches. No dings. Short of that, I've neither dropped nor scratched any other parts of my Sailors. *knock on wood*

With that said, I have indeed scratched Wolfman razors. In fact, a mirrored baseplate will scratch with use from the blade itself in the 4 corners. There are usually corresponding spot scratches on the top cap too....and I baby my gear. I also loan my gear out and a couple handles have been scratched in the process. Wolfman also uses 316L steel. Hmm. Given my experience, should I publicly speculate DuFour is lying? Never. I'm no metallurgist and nothing on his site indicate his gear will no scratch through normal use...or from throwing it across the floor.

A $500 single gap Wolfie (even 2 WRs) or a $700 Sailor with a ton of settings...both will probably scratch but which is better? As always YMMV. My answer is ALL of the above and then some. If you expect any stainless steel razor, especially mirror polished SS to be impervious to scratches, you are fooling yourself IMO, no matter the grade.
 

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I need that specific one! Quite handsome. Thanks for posting.
I've been drooling over it since last night. I don't know how the heck Murat does it, but he ups the ante Every. Single. Time.

You can count me in. Permitting my wife doesn't throw a hissy fit over my hobby, consider me a Rocnel client for life.
 
I've been drooling over it since last night. I don't know how the heck Murat does it, but he ups the ante Every. Single. Time.

You can count me in. Permitting my wife doesn't throw a hissy fit over my hobby, consider me a Rocnel client for life.
Agreed. I like the way his mind works. It has been fun watching and using the evolution of the Sailor design. They went from dainty to behemoth and seem to be moving down again. Good for the adjustable lover and fodder for the hater.

The 2021 is the best looking to my eye. Looking forward to snagging one with a low number.

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I hate to hear about the scratches and dings on the Sailors but I am certain the material is 316L and has been since 2014. I know because I asked specifically because of this thread and was provided cut sheets of the material. Murat is on Instagram and has always been pretty accessible to me. Maybe 316L is "soft", I've no idea, but accusing a manufacturer of lying about anything let alone materials used is a pretty strong accusation to make when the answer is pretty damned easy to ask. I had the answer in 5 minutes.

The first day I got my 2017 I unscrewed the adjuster and the barrel bounced off a tile floor a couple of time. No scratches. No dings. Short of that, I've neither dropped nor scratched any other parts of my Sailors. *knock on wood*

With that said, I have indeed scratched Wolfman razors. In fact, a mirrored baseplate will scratch with use from the blade itself in the 4 corners. There are usually corresponding spot scratches on the top cap too....and I baby my gear. I also loan my gear out and a couple handles have been scratched in the process. Wolfman also uses 316L steel. Hmm. Given my experience, should I publicly speculate DuFour is lying? Never. I'm no metallurgist and nothing on his site indicate his gear will no scratch through normal use...or from throwing it across the floor.

A $500 single gap Wolfie (even 2 WRs) or a $700 Sailor with a ton of settings...both will probably scratch but which is better? As always YMMV. My answer is ALL of the above and then some. If you expect any stainless steel razor, especially mirror polished SS to be impervious to scratches, you are fooling yourself IMO, no matter the grade.
Part of the selling point of 316L razors is that they are harder and more resilient than other grades of steel. They are supposed to outlast us, right? So when premium priced razors with a stated 316L alloy are soft -- and a number of owners of different Rocnel razor models have noted this -- it is worth mentioning.

I have added some pictures of dents, dings and deep scratches (almost gashes) below. But keep in mind that most of us own [too] many razors, so rather than blindly dismiss comments on scratches, I view these as comparative assessments on material quality versus other premium razors owned.

Even if we accept that Rocnel razors are 316L stainless steel, it's obvious that not all 316L steels are the same quality. Steel from North America and Japan is generally regarded more highly than that from Russia and China.
 

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