Yes, I agree- all razors are made with fine grain steels..... such as the 'Dx' series Grain is defined on a chart from 1 to 10 with 10 being the finest; 1-5 are considered coarse, fine is considered 6 to 10. O1 is 9 (very fine) while D2 is 7.5 (fine). If fine grain is the goal then both the T or V series of high speed steels would be superior choices at 9.5 grain rating (source: B.F. Shepherd, 'ASM Tool Steels'). Further, the Mxx series of steels can reach 70 Rc, harder than any other steel that I know of. But still, all of the D series are rated at least 8, along with the Mxx series steels. O1 by comparison is rated at 3 on the same scale.
A2 is inferior to D2 regarding hardness, wear resistance and corrosion resistance, the three things I would rate most highly in choosing a razor steel. That said, it is superior to O1 certainly and much more machinable than D2, which I have already said is basically terrible. Also as previously stated, I do not believe conventional razor manufacturing techniques including forging and hollow grinding with AlOx abrasives would prove useful on D2 (or any of the high speed steels I listed in the first paragraph).
At any rate, I am not knocking O1- it is an inexpensive, 'workhorse' of a steel and I am sure it will make an excellent straight razor. I just do not believe it is the best choice for razor steel, or even all that close.
And by the way, I certainly do not mean to step on anyone's toes here, including yours. Your work is known to me and is certainly of excellent reputation and quality (based on exactly two of your razors I have seen.... there are not a lot of them around as you well know). I certainly did not mean to intrude on your material choices or knock your product in any way. Given real- world limitations, it is quite probable that D2 and similar steels can not be fully hollow ground and there is no one making straight razors out of any similar steel that I am aware of. My input in this thread is based on purely metallurgical and scientific grounds, not the practical which you of course have to deal with every day. As an example of practical vs. ideal, I would say the zinc alloy Merkur makes their DE razors from is far from the ideal material but no doubt the right choice based on all the considerations of manufacturing and sales price point.
Brian
A2 is inferior to D2 regarding hardness, wear resistance and corrosion resistance, the three things I would rate most highly in choosing a razor steel. That said, it is superior to O1 certainly and much more machinable than D2, which I have already said is basically terrible. Also as previously stated, I do not believe conventional razor manufacturing techniques including forging and hollow grinding with AlOx abrasives would prove useful on D2 (or any of the high speed steels I listed in the first paragraph).
At any rate, I am not knocking O1- it is an inexpensive, 'workhorse' of a steel and I am sure it will make an excellent straight razor. I just do not believe it is the best choice for razor steel, or even all that close.
And by the way, I certainly do not mean to step on anyone's toes here, including yours. Your work is known to me and is certainly of excellent reputation and quality (based on exactly two of your razors I have seen.... there are not a lot of them around as you well know). I certainly did not mean to intrude on your material choices or knock your product in any way. Given real- world limitations, it is quite probable that D2 and similar steels can not be fully hollow ground and there is no one making straight razors out of any similar steel that I am aware of. My input in this thread is based on purely metallurgical and scientific grounds, not the practical which you of course have to deal with every day. As an example of practical vs. ideal, I would say the zinc alloy Merkur makes their DE razors from is far from the ideal material but no doubt the right choice based on all the considerations of manufacturing and sales price point.
Brian
I'm 99% certain every manufactured razor is made with a fine grain steel. As well as almost all custom razor are made with a fine grain steel. I'm certain they are using it for a reason
Back a few years ago, there was a couple of gentleman that took a handful of vintage razors. Sheffield, German, etc.. and had them tested to see what "type" steel was used. All came back as basic high carbon steel.
As for the Fily's, the only way to know what they used is to have it test.
If I had to guess, I would say it was more about advertisement then it was about the steel choice.
Why not use A2 instead of D2?