What type of steel was used in the H. Bokers and George Wostenholms that were made in the early 1900s? I'm not looking for Carbon or Stainless, I'm looking for specifically which type (like 1095, D2, ATS34, VG10, etc).
What type of steel
- Thread starter TedGamble
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I would assume that Bokers and Wostenholms had vastly different steel, given that Boker was German and Wostenholm was English. And that the steels behave so differently while honing and feel so different while shaving.
I would guess the answer to your question died with the workers.
I would guess the answer to your question died with the workers.
I don't think steel types were really in existence until the Bessemer process fell out of favor. You probably didn't get much more info than "High carbon" back then. I suppose maybe someone has analyzed the steel in straights and recorded findings, but steel wasn't really made then in the way proprietary steels are made these days.
Hi,
Interestingly, some of the old Sheffield razor manufacturers produced their own steel in small lots by the crucible process.
have fun !
regards
Russ
Interestingly, some of the old Sheffield razor manufacturers produced their own steel in small lots by the crucible process.
have fun !
regards
Russ
You'll have to take some razors to a good lab to find out. None of the vintager manufacturers ever said what they used, even today we don't know what Dovo and TI use. Some of the artisan makers will advertise their steel though. The particulars of the steel are neither significant nor interesting; all the magic is really in the heat treatment, not the composition of the steel. Lots of knife guys get excited about steel though, which I suppose is why the artisan makers even bother to mention their steel type, also it provides some comfort level as to the quality of the razor from a relatively unknown maker, whereas TI and Dovo have been making them so long their reputation stands firmly on its own. I suppose the variety of uses that knives are subjected to would make the steel choice more important for knives, but for razors, which only have to shave whiskers and not chop wood or cut ropes or punch through car doors, it just doesn't matter much, other than maybe the basic HCS/SS dichotomy, but even at this basic level there's a surprising amount of debate on the matter.
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The Bessemer process was patented in 1855. The heyday of the Sheffield straight razor died in the late 1800's. For example, W&B stopped razor production around 1890. German razor factories made most of their blades after 1900.
Either way, you would have to do some serious research to find that out. Catalogs might be a good place to start. Also, Sheffield is known for "silver steel", "fine india steel", etc, etc.
Silver steel is common tool steel in the UK that is supplied as a centerless ground round bar. It is roughly equivalent to drill rod in the US.
The steel is defined under specification BS-1407, with the closest European equivalent being 1.2210 (although this steel contains vanadium). The composition is as follows: carbon 0.95–1.25, manganese 0.25–0.45, chromium 0.35–0.45, silicon 0.40 max, phosphorus 0.045 max, sulfur 0.045 max.[1]
In the annealed state is has a hardness of 27 RHC. It can be hardened to 64 RHC.[2]
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Here is a description of Sheffield “carbon steel” from en ex shaving factory worker.
"Blade steel.
All Sheffield razors were made from high quality crucible cast steel of 1.4% carbon. The ingot was cogged under a large hammer, rolled to a tapered section of suitable size, then cut to 8-10 foot lengths known as `strings´. Most razors until about 1900 were hand forged. After this time they were drop stamped, they were then hardened, tempered over a coke fire and then ground.”
The Sheffield carbon steel is usually quite soft, easy to hone and very smooth on the skin.
The Solingen steel from the same period is from my experience a little harder although not in a bad way. The mirror finish on the Sheffield razors always strikes me as being of a better quality.
Thiers Issard, the remaining French open razor manufacturer uses Sheffield “silver steel”. The modern steel being very hard.
In the 1920’s many manufacturers, both in Sheffield and Solingen started using “Silver Steel” which is a little harder than the old carbon steel but not as hard as the modern silver steels.
In my experience, the modern steels are quite rigid and brittle but retain an edge for a long time. This advantage in my opinion comes at the expense of comfort.
The compromise is the older “Silver Steel”. Puma and some other makers made their own very fine particled silver steels which seemed to balance comfort and edge retention perfectly.
I think that each different manufacturer guarded and kept secret their steel composition and manufacturing process.
"Blade steel.
All Sheffield razors were made from high quality crucible cast steel of 1.4% carbon. The ingot was cogged under a large hammer, rolled to a tapered section of suitable size, then cut to 8-10 foot lengths known as `strings´. Most razors until about 1900 were hand forged. After this time they were drop stamped, they were then hardened, tempered over a coke fire and then ground.”
The Sheffield carbon steel is usually quite soft, easy to hone and very smooth on the skin.
The Solingen steel from the same period is from my experience a little harder although not in a bad way. The mirror finish on the Sheffield razors always strikes me as being of a better quality.
Thiers Issard, the remaining French open razor manufacturer uses Sheffield “silver steel”. The modern steel being very hard.
In the 1920’s many manufacturers, both in Sheffield and Solingen started using “Silver Steel” which is a little harder than the old carbon steel but not as hard as the modern silver steels.
In my experience, the modern steels are quite rigid and brittle but retain an edge for a long time. This advantage in my opinion comes at the expense of comfort.
The compromise is the older “Silver Steel”. Puma and some other makers made their own very fine particled silver steels which seemed to balance comfort and edge retention perfectly.
I think that each different manufacturer guarded and kept secret their steel composition and manufacturing process.
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Depends on who you ask.
Silver steel is what all my brandless razors are labeled. 
I doubt you'll get better info than what forum9 posted without some serious research, but I will add that I've noticed of the 5 or 6 unbranded vintage razors I've owned, all but one were labeled as "Silver Steel" or "Best Silver Steel".
I doubt you'll get better info than what forum9 posted without some serious research, but I will add that I've noticed of the 5 or 6 unbranded vintage razors I've owned, all but one were labeled as "Silver Steel" or "Best Silver Steel".
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