Post Your Vintage Damascus Straight Razors
- Thread starter noahpictures
- Start date
Hmm... my Keene Cutlery says it's Damascus too, but it isn't. Those don't look like it either unless I'm mistaken.
To the best of my knowledge, Damascus steel looks like this:
Attachments
That's what I've thought as well. Lots of ebay sellers or knock off artists use all kinds of sneaky techniques to make you think they are more valuable, and etching "Damascus" on a blade is one of them. Real damascus has about $1000 price tag.
- Thread starter
- #5
If it's from a reputable maker and it is labeled "Damascus", well it's a Damascus razor in my book. I find my vintage Boker Damascus razors to be up there with Filarmonica in terms of smoothness and overall performance.
Last edited:
The maker isn't the problem. It's whoever had it last seems to have etched it on. Damascus has a certain look to it made from a mix of metals, purely cosmetic, and not affecting performance. Look at Zowada's or some of the other custom Damascus. They look very different.
Anyway, they seem to be great razors, just not what is etched on them. As long as you got them for a decent price for the maker, and not the metal makeup, it's all good.
Anyway, they seem to be great razors, just not what is etched on them. As long as you got them for a decent price for the maker, and not the metal makeup, it's all good.
I'm guessing that in the case of the vintage razors that say "Damascus" on them, "Damascus" was just a sales slogan they slapped on there that they thought sounded good, and at the time there really wasn't anyone that was going to hassle them about it.
i had read that since Damascus steel was so rare and most people hadn't seen Damascus steel that many of the manufacturers used the term for marketing purposes trying to up sales (both on straight razors and early safety razor blades - as well as on swords, knives and all other steel personal items)
doesn't mean they aren't great shavers, but likely not Damascus in the true sense of the word (being composed of many layers of different steels folded over and over together in same blade)
I also read that the magnetics were actually magnetized - tho not sure what purpose that served - likely someone here will know
doesn't mean they aren't great shavers, but likely not Damascus in the true sense of the word (being composed of many layers of different steels folded over and over together in same blade)
I also read that the magnetics were actually magnetized - tho not sure what purpose that served - likely someone here will know
- Thread starter
- #9
My impression was that vintage razors labeled "Damascus steel" referred to Arabian steel. In reference to magnetic blades the few Le Grelot razors I have/had were all magnetic even though they weren't labeled as such.
Damascus is a forging with 2 different metals to make sort of a textured, almost wood grain pattern to the metal. Damascus is also a the capital of Syria. But no, dealing with razors it tends to refer to the process of mixing metals in a pattern. A few custom razor makers have been able to forge their own, but its pretty rare and expensive.
I think the 'Magnetic Steel' was supposed to be rust-resistant.
@ gamma i have a german blade that is magnetic steel and that doesnt rust very easy
The Damascus on vintage blades refers to a type of steel that was made in the city of Damascus. It is not the same folded Damascus steel as we refer to today. Those blades came from the manufacture with that etching on them, it's not like someone etched it on there to make them sell better on eBay. I am fairly certain that these were the top of line razors in their day and they have a different metal composition than their other razors.
BTW that's a very nice collection of razors you have there.
BTW that's a very nice collection of razors you have there.
that would mean stainless? Stainless is nonmagnetic not easy to magnetize, carbon can be magnetized easy.
Nope - Not stainless.
I read about that rust-revention thing, either here or over sixgun's forum - I'll try to paraphrase.
But first - let me point out that I don't think it works.
Basically - The magnetic field was supposed to impart a slight 'electric current' within the steel - and that 'current' was supposed to inhibit the oxidation process.
Get an old JC Whitney catalog - from the 40/50s - you'll probably find an ad or two for anti-rust thingys that pass current through the body of a vehicle.
I don't think it worked too well.
FYI - some 400 stainless is magnetic, most/all 300 is not. Lets not get into martensitic/austenitic here, point is that some stainless can be magnetic.
I read about that rust-revention thing, either here or over sixgun's forum - I'll try to paraphrase.
But first - let me point out that I don't think it works.
Basically - The magnetic field was supposed to impart a slight 'electric current' within the steel - and that 'current' was supposed to inhibit the oxidation process.
Get an old JC Whitney catalog - from the 40/50s - you'll probably find an ad or two for anti-rust thingys that pass current through the body of a vehicle.
I don't think it worked too well.
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #16
Thanks Matt. That has been my experience too.
A while back I read the "marketing ploy" statements about vintage "Damascus steel" and "Fine India steel" and I found the statements questionable. I don't think Boker or Wade and Butcher would slap a Damascus steel or Fine India steel label on their blades while using their regular steel and not expect their customers to know the difference.
It is possible to put the "marketing ploy" statement to a test. In my case I have compared vintage Boker straights with similar grinds and sizes to the Boker Damascus razors and the difference is clear during honing and shaving.
Hopefully in the future I'll be able to compare W&B's Fine India Steel razors with their regular razors.
It is possible, but I'm not sure why Sheffield and Solingen Steel would be replaced then, and not now. It doesn't makes sense. Not to mention some blades say both Damascus AND Sheffield, and one has to not be true...
At the turn of the previous century, Boker used the same English bar razor steel to make all of their razors.
Besides 'Damascus' - there were blades etched 'Radium', 'Silver Steel', 'Finest India', 'Celebrated', 'Beauty', etc.
Besides 'Damascus' - there were blades etched 'Radium', 'Silver Steel', 'Finest India', 'Celebrated', 'Beauty', etc.
- Thread starter
- #19
I had one just like that - was a very good razor. Had a 'Fine India Steel' one also, and it too was excellent.
My GF has a 5/8 'Beauty' - lovely razor. Presently - I have a Red Injun 102 - another wonderful razor.
They're all forged from the same steel.
My GF has a 5/8 'Beauty' - lovely razor. Presently - I have a Red Injun 102 - another wonderful razor.
They're all forged from the same steel.
