Silver Steel any good?

[jonnyjon84]

Hey Guys,

I have a straight razor Extra Hollow Ground - Silver Steel.

Is it any good for getting/keeping a sharp edge?

I want to get it, along with a Dovo Carbon Steel, professionally honed. But when I think of silver I think of "soft" so I don't want to waste money if it's just gonna lose it's edge after 1 shave.

Also, who does the best honing around? And is there anyone who can restore a rusty razor and old-ish handle to "like-new" condition?

Thanks for any help,
Jon

[joel]

Hey Guys,

I have a straight razor Extra Hollow Ground - Silver Steel.

Is it any good for getting/keeping a sharp edge?

I want to get it, along with a Dovo Carbon Steel, professionally honed. But when I think of silver I think of "soft" so I don't want to waste money if it's just gonna lose it's edge after 1 shave.

Also, who does the best honing around? And is there anyone who can restore a rusty razor and old-ish handle to "like-new" condition?

Thanks for any help,
Jon

Jon,
Depends on the brand. There are quite a few fellas that will restore a razor, in my experience the best two fellas (in order) are Bill Ellis, and Joe Chandler, but it'll cost a pretty penny. If the razors have sentimental value, or are of superlative quality (IE will be worth a lot) it's a sound investment, however if they're just antique show bargains, i'd suggest picking up a nicer razor (pre-honed) on the forum, or buying a razor in good condition on ebay.

[jonnyjon84]

Thanks for the reply Joel. Your video on straight razor shaving is one of the first that got me into wetshaving.

Not sure what brand the silver steel is, there's just the letter S with an X over it on the shank, right next to the shoulder... got it off ebay, maybe it stands for Sheffield! lol

Thanks for the advice, think I'll forgo the restoration since the other razor is just cheap ebay purchase... interesting handle though, what a shame...

[Kees]

Silver steel is a high carbon steel especially suitable for razors according to this: http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_steel

It's called silver steel not because it has silver added but because high carbon steel has a silvery appearance.

[jonnyjon84]

Thanks for the info Kees. I am now really interested in sending this away to be honed along with the Dovo carbon steel. Hopefully it will turn out to be a great shaver.

Thanks!