June 2016 Acquisition Thread

Status
Not open for further replies.
TomG said:
There are many variations of silver steel. The most common is Sheffield Silver steel, but German and Swedish silver steel is also common. The alloy make-up is typical high carbon steel with the addition of 0.4% chrome and 0.4% manganese. It is known industrially as a tool steel, and this is its main application. Some French straight razors, including Thiers-Issard, utilise Sheffield Silver steel.
Japanese and Swedish foundries also produce a steel which is sometimes called silver steel, but it is very different to Sheffield silver steel. These are more boutique alloys, used for example in high quality specialist knives, and are classed as semi-stainless or stainless, due to much higher chrome content.
My bet would be that the Parker utilises a steel consistent with Sheffield silver steel. If so, its workability should be reasonably good with respect to sharpening/honing. It will have a slightly improved corrosion resistance compared to mild or high carbon steel, but will stain/blacken if not well maintained. This alloy can be hardened to a Rockwell hardness of 64, but I suspect that the manufacturer will target 60-61. This should provide a good compromise between maintaining edge (retention), and avoiding brittleness and subsequent edge micro-chipping.
Click to expand...

Great info! Parker (of vintage fame) used Sweedish steel and it is designated in the tange of their blades. Well, on the 510, & 567 models of which I am familiar. There is a mother cheaper model which has "Parker" etched, not stamped and I am unsure what steel it uses.
 
Mail call yesterday a couple Of Japanese specials
122880e3c2ada313ca748e214b9f2b43.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
littleaussiebleeder said:
BASTARD!!!!! BASTARD!!!!! BASTARD!!!!! BASTARD!!!!! BASTARD!!!!! BASTARD!!!!! BASTARD!!!!!
Click to expand...

Whilst most of us are Aussie-based, I thought I would point out for our overseas members that the above reference to the fruit of a union out of wedlock is very much a term of both endearment and begrudging congratulations.
 
Sxot said:
Just in case you were thinking as much... The Parker of that straight is NOT the Parker of modern times making DE and shaettes. Vintage Parker straights use Swedish steel, forged in Japan and are excellent shavers. I have several.
Click to expand...

Whilst the Japanese make some incredible steels, and are amazing Blacksmiths, they hold some Swedish Steels in high regard and use them for certain applications. I have several blades of this type, although the bulk of my collection is of specific domestic Japanese steel alloys. They are truly brilliant metallurgists and blacksmiths.
 
TomG said:
Whilst the Japanese make some incredible steels, and are amazing Blacksmiths, they hold some Swedish Steels in high regard and use them for certain applications. I have several blades of this type, although the bulk of my collection is of specific domestic Japanese steel alloys. They are truly brilliant metallurgists and blacksmiths.
Click to expand...

But, if money were no object and accessibility was easy. What blades would you buy/stock up on?
 
Austinoire said:
Looks nice...How popular is it down under?
Click to expand...

Bay Rum - popular the world over!

Shaver Heaven - world class and SHOULD be popular the world over!
 
I have mixed memories of bay rum! When I was a boy in Tamworth, my old barber (Eyetye Vic) would splash it all over my hair after shaving the back of my neck with that huge bloody cutthroat! While I loved the smell of the rum, it was hopelessly overpowered by Vic's armpit B.O. and his hideous garlic breath! Once I got outside to the sweet-smelling country air of Peel Street, I totally enjoyed the heady aroma of Bardsley's Bay Rum! I still love it to this day!
 
Austinoire said:
Curious about you Australian lads, it seems you prefer Gillette blandes? While us yanks prefer feather blades and Gillette razors. Thoughts?
Click to expand...

Naaaahhh mate... Astras and Feathers for this little black duck! We're not keen on what you buggers call "beer" either! I had to survive for bloody months on Bud and Schlitz in the 1960's..... no wonder Americans were driven to prohibition in the twenties and thirties!
 
Sxot said:
Guess this is as good a place as any for promised obligatory three brush shot.

09a36154aa0ef1044774cfbc770ef03d.jpg
Click to expand...
I never thought much of brushes, thought they were all one size, But, I see here that not the case. I found a petite AOS brush that I misplaced for years that was like a child's brush. Recently used in a large regular bowl and had to work like a demon for very little lather. Now, I'm thinking maybe with a smaller brush, a smaller bowl?
 
Sxot said:
Guess this is as good a place as any for promised obligatory three brush shot.

09a36154aa0ef1044774cfbc770ef03d.jpg
Click to expand...
I never thought much of brushes, thiught they were all one size, But, I see here that not the case. I found a petite AOS brush that I misplaced for years that was like a child's brush. Recently used in a large regular bowl and had to work like a demon for very little lather. Now, I'm thinking maybe with a smaller brush, a smaller bowl?
littleaussiebleeder said:
Naaaahhh mate... Astras and Feathers for this little black duck! We're not keen on what you buggers call "beer" either! I had to survive for bloody months on Bud and Schlitz in the 1960's..... no wonder Americans were driven to prohibition in the twenties and thirties!
Click to expand...
Ok. Good to know, makes sense, instead of my assumption of all the Gillette blades I see posted. Will need to learn more. Yeah, not a beer drinker. But, yes American beer was rubbish compared to Foster's, Stella Artois, Heineken and even Lowenbrau (my granddad's favorite). We've come a long way with beer in the states, microbrews and all, but here in Texas people still drink inexpensive brands like Pearl, Coors and Budweiser.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top