Fortunately, I didn't get this blade

[Raedwulf]

Recently, a friend of mine at work and I had a conversation about str8; the typical first shave horror story and then describing our favourite shaves

He mentioned that he was in hopes of getting a new damascus blade. I did a quick google and we found the str8 that he was looking for, available from Vintage Straight razor. Later on I wandered over to this forum and looked up any posts regarding Damascus steel. Did some additional searches in google on damascus steel. It was an education in 'Too good to be true'. The blade in question had Buffalo horn scales, it also was available as a kit; brush, soap, storage wallet, and strop all for $150

It wasn't long before I read how much a Damascus Steel Str8 is supposed to be. Zowada doesn't sell any blade for less than 850, and even that isn't even authentic damascus steel, the actual technology lost to history.

Glad that there's forums like this, that help to make educated decisions.

 

[Gorr]

True Damascus is lost to history. What we have now is more aptly called "pattern-welded" steel. I can tell you that there are usually 2 different kinds of steel involved, and that both types have a high enough carbon content to be hardened. So, a good razor can be made from it. The process of making it is labor intensive, therefore it's very costly.

With that said, there are lots of people making custom knives from it as a hobby/business. I'd imagine there are even a few straight razors out there, too. Possibly even some very good ones. Doubtful they'd be mass produced, though.