"Super Chrome" and "Super iridium" What Does It Actually Mean?

[mjclark]

I shaved with a carbon steel blade for the first time last night (fantastic!) and it's got me thinking metallurgically.

I've googled extensively but can't get straight answers- are those Sharks called "Super Chrome" cos the blades are coated with chrome, or cos they're made of steel with a high chrome content (and why?).

And what about the Polsilver SIs? Are they actually coated with iridium?

And while I've got the attention of the metallurgists, when were the first platinum coated blades introduced and by whom?

 

[El Judio Bravo]

There is no iridium in SI blades.

 

[jwilock]

What does it mean? It means companies like to have catchy names for their products so we'll buy more of them.

 

[El Judio Bravo]

What does it mean? It means companies like to have catchy names for their products so we'll buy more of them.

Just 'zackly so!

 

[Dalejr]

The first platinum coated blades were made in the early 70's by Gillette.

 

[mjclark]

The first platinum coated blades were made in the early 70's by Gillette.

Thanks!

What does it mean? It means companies like to have catchy names for their products so we'll buy more of them.

And yes- a bit more googling has revealed that, in spite of all the "Super Chrome vs Super Stainless" threads, the "Shark" SC on sale are just NOS version of the Super Stainless (and according to the Lord website, SS is currently the only Shark blade they manufacture).
And yes- Super Iridiums are actually platinum coated and the name is just an attempt to suggest something superior to the normal platinum. There was a bit of a craze for calling things "iridium" at one point, including communications satellites.
So the long and the short of it is that "Super Chrome" contain no more chrome than any other stainless blade and "Super Iridium" don't contain any iridium.
They been trying to dazzle us with metallurgy, but it hasn't worked

 

[xraygun]

Iridium is harder and cheaper than Platinum, so who says SI's are platinum coated? Anyone have a source? Just curious.

 

[Obi Wan]

The ones that make me laugh are (deep breath) Derby Extra Super Stainless - Chromium-Ceramic Platinum Tungsten Polymer coated blades. Pity after all that they don't work for me YMMV.

 

[mjclark]

Iridium is harder and cheaper than Platinum, so who says SI's are platinum coated? Anyone have a source? Just curious.

Hmm...and while we're on the subject, are Supermax Blue Diamond actually titanium coated or is that more hot air too?

 

[thorimmortal]

Hmm...and while we're on the subject, are Supermax Blue Diamond actually titanium coated or is that more hot air too?

The real question is do they contain blue diamonds?

 

[coolbus18]

Just remembered these blades. If you haven't seen this before, sit down.
http://www.zafirro.com/ check out the blades on this baby.

 

[xraygun]

Just remembered these blades. If you haven't seen this before, sit down.
http://www.zafirro.com/ check out the blades on this baby.

For the guy who just bought the portrait of Bea Arthur topless for 1.9mil.

 

[bdcoffey]

Just remembered these blades. If you haven't seen this before, sit down.
http://www.zafirro.com/ check out the blades on this baby.

Does anyone know a person that actually owns one of these?

 

[rxonmymind]

As for coatings on blades I'm wondering if they are doing "vapor deposits" on the edges? I know there is a term which escapes me but an invention that came out several years ago where a scientist were able to put a saw blade inside a carbon gas case and shoot a laser around the edge if it thus making diamond coated edges on a micro level. I'm not sure if it's ramped up industry wide yet but I heard chatter of such technology that helps bring cost down doing it this way so why not with razor blades.