Spyderco Straight Razor

Hi Gents,

My name is Mark. I'm new to Straight Razors, having only started 2 days ago. I'm a bit of a steel junkie with respect to kitchen and pocket knives. I recently posted on the spyderco subforum of Bladeforums asking Sal to make straight razors. He is feeling the water so to speak. The grain structure of ZDP-189 is on par with Japanese Blue steel, but it is harder to sharpen. Spyderco use it at a hardness of 65 and there have been no reports of it being brittle. VG-10 is another relatively new stainless which takes a superb edge and is usually hardened to over Rc 60 without problems.

If you want Spyderco to enter the market(possibly in cojunction with Tim Zowada who is agreeable) follow this link. I have no comercial interest in either spyderco or Tim, just a love of good steel.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=495868

FYI your link is broken; the proper URL is:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=495868

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Highlight posts are included below:

SalGlesser said:

Hi AussieMark,

While I appreciate the suggestion, I'm not sure it's a direction in which Spyderco could be successful.

The number of people that actually shave with a straight razor is very small. When I shaved with a straight razor (for about 5 years 15 years ago), I learned a fair amount about razor steels. I would recommend it for any knife afi. Great adventure.

I acutally made and shaved with knife steels. (D2, MBS-26). I found that the dedicated razor steels worked better for me because they created a "better" burr for shaving.

I'm not convined that harder steels will actually shave better.

The stropping is what creates the burr. When the razor begins to perform less effectively, one goes back to the strop, not the stone. I don't think I sharpened the razor more than twice a year, but stropped each day.

As far as the collector market for custom straight razors, I must say I'm clueless. I guess we can see what response we get here.

sal

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SalGlesser said:

OK, just for the purposes of discussion, what steel would you want.

I also might add that a European designer created a Spyderco razor design several yesars ago that was quite nice. We wanted Dovo to make the blade for us, but they were at capacity and couldn't do it. We couldn't make them in Golden, so we dropped the project.

I guess we could chase down that designer.

sal

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SalGlesser said:

Thanx Ken,

In the last "go-around" we were planning a carbon fiber handle, to keep with the "hi-tech" approach. But it was most important tha the razor shaved well. We don't have the experience to be able to build a "hi-performer" right out of the shute. That's why we wanted to use an experienced blade maker with a good product.

Do you have any experience with a hard steel used in a razor?

sal

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I actually have a custom japanese razor in ZDP189, and they make outstanding shavers, but it isn't practical for production sized groups, and they are miserable (REALLY Miserable) to hone. Rik has one as well.

I wouldn't buy another razor in ZDP189, however on the same token i'd never sell mine - but there ARE better steels for making straight razors with, and I think Spyderco would be remiss in making straight razors, as it really does fit, or suit their business plan.

Individuals purchasing straight razors (by and large) probably wouldn't buy a spydero... as many are drawn to straight by tradition and so on and so forth. A factory made razor, and by a company that makes somewhat inexpensive (albeit nice, and I have a few) knives wouldn't be a very business smart, or successful venture.

There are some custom knife makers who have made straight razors who have done relatively well - but large production, I think, would be a poor idea. They are a lot harder to make (in bulk) that you'd think, and the cost would be quite high... and personally, i'd take a nice TI or Dovo over a spydie anyday. It's like comparing a toyota (great everyday car) to a Mercedes or a Porsche.

Thank you to both Geoff and Joel. The Spyderco idea could be too optimistic.

I agree that some of their knives fill the "camry" part of the market. They

Spyderco has no tradition in what is a very traditional field.

Sal has worked hard to bring some excellent designs by respected knifemakers, in premium steels to the market at a fraction of the cost of a true custom blade.

Even their Byrd line, made in China are well made. The tollerances and quality control at Spyderco are second to none. The fact that straight razor production does not lend itself to automation could be a problem. Then again, if there was enough demand, Sal would work out a way.

Would anyone on this forum buy a Spyderco straight razor in VG-10 or ZDP-189 and carbon fibre scales, or is Spyderco Brand not fit with the image of straight razor shaving?

If Sal agreed to do a spirit run, which steel would you like?

I'm a fan of heavier grinds. If I tried to hone a full wedge made of ZDP-189 I'd be there for hours. Anything he produces over Rc60 would have to be full hollow to be practical. As others have said, there ARE better steels for razors.

If Spydeco wants to do a run, they might consider offering something different. Smiling blades and wedges can currently only be found from custom makers or from the past (antique stores, ebay etc.). I'm not a marketting guru, but if they offered something different they would avoid competing in the "cut throat" 5/8 hollow market.

Personally I'm glad there's little commercial interest in making straight razors. I really like the idea of small shops like Tim Zowada's making straight razors for the American market.

I would consider buying a such a razor if it is a great performer, with good design, and at an attractive price level.

It seems that TI and Dovo were right about maxed (at least before TI got the new machines this year?) so there may be a market big enough for new entries. Having said this - TI and Dovo have the names, tradition, etc. and I would probably prefer to get a razor from them... Maybe Spyderco has a better shot if it partners with / buys one of the old top razor brand names and releases under it?

Cheers
Ivo

izlat said:

I would consider buying a such a razor if it is a great performer, with good design, and at an attractive price level.

It seems that TI and Dovo were right about maxed (at least before TI got the new machines this year?) so there may be a market big enough for new entries. Having said this - TI and Dovo have the names, tradition, etc. and I would probably prefer to get a razor from them... Maybe Spyderco has a better shot if it partners with / buys one of the old top razor brand names and releases under it?

Cheers
Ivo

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LOL cool idea, Ivo.
Tripl Duck?