Nice rant. I'll never be a straight razor shaver but I certainly appreciate your setting the record straight. Real/quality metal knives, axes, and definitely straight razors need hardened steel to ever serve the purpose for which they were intended. BTW, consumers get duped day after day by scammers who sell clones of fake goods...whether they are straight razors, smartwatches, or even printer ink cartridges. The first clue is usually price. The old adage "you get what you pay for" should be heeded by all.
Thank you, Matt. I know I speak for many when I declare I'm also sick & tired of squeamish, mediocre products being advertised as the real deal. Much like Project Farm, you don't hold back - giving the viewer a complete perspective of the product by which they can then make their appropriate purchasing decision. Your enthusiasm, and more notably your vigilance, is appreciated and much needed. Oh yeah, almost forgot...exceptional rant!
I mean if you want to try straight razor shaving just buy a shavette razor to see if you like it. The blades are cheap to replace so you save the hassle of learning to strop and sharpen a blade (a LOT different than sharpening a knife) or the expense of sending them to be sharpened. If you find you like it then consider a real straight razor.
I got a shavette long after I started using straight razors but that (oft repeated) advice doesn't still too well with me. Shavettes are, IMHO, much more finicky and likely to cause accidental nicks and cuts than real straight razors. They require a bit more attention and care. Starting with a shavette is like jumping in the deep end without knowing how to swim and could give the wrong impression about straight razor shaving. It's a combination of extreme sharpness and lack of flexibility which makes it a bad choice for a beginner. A good quality new, out of the packet, DE blade is going to be a lot sharper than your average hollow grind and on par with a well honed, extremely hollow ground edge (if you have something like a feather blade it's going to be even sharper) but it is also going to be as stiff as a wedge blade. A recipe for cutting your face up if there ever was one. You really want the flex that a good hollow ground edge gives you when you start out. Even if its just a quarter/half hollow it is going to be much more forgiving when you pass over uneven skin and don't yet have the level of control to adjust your blade angle and pressure on the fly.
I got one of those bad razors (mine was from Naked Armor) as my very first one and it was horrible. It lasted for one shave (if that), but I liked it enough that I did some research and got a Ralf Aust as my next razor and it has been working wonderfully for almost a year now. I have since given any of my friends who ask about shaving the advice of "Get a Ralf Aust to start with. They are a little more expensive, but so much more worth it in the long run."
Thank you for the info. I was considering getting a Naked Armor Razor. My instincts was saying to not go that route. After seeing your post, It confirmed my suspicion.
Not trying to contradict you on this, as I did not have your experience, but I will say Naked Armor does provide the blade's HRC on their item description (at least the one I got) and does plink with a sound more similar to the real blade than the fake featured here. Again, perhaps your experience is different than mine, but I don't think that the brand is a total scam. I've also shaved with it a few times and as my skill increases my shaves have only gotten closer and smoother. I hope to try new blades and brands as my spare time (and cash) increases. Happy shaving, friend!
@@DrpzOfBlUd787 I am glad that you had a good expirence with them. I ended up being glad that I got mine because it opened up the world of straight razor shaving to me. Even if the actual razor I got was pretty bad (as far as the blade itself anyway). It would only hold an edge for about 1/3 to 1/2 of my face before I had to resharpen it. When you decide to get a second razor, I really cannot recommend the Ralph Aust razors enough. My first one held it's edge for about a year with just stropping before I had to take a whetstone to it, and even then it only took a few passes on each stone in my set (Shapton stones at 2000, 4000, 8000, and 12000) to return a mirror polish and it has stayed sharp for another year. Best of luck in your endeavors.
@@shirleyodonnell6717 Good, I am glad I was able to help. If you are still looking for a good straight razor, I still recommend a basic Ralf Aust as a combination of good quality and reasonable price.
4:55 this part is wrong. Heat treatment has not that much to do with carbon atoms. What actually happens is the crystals grow very fast from multiple nucleation sites, resulting in fine grain, high stress arrangement of crystals. When you cool metal slow, you end up with fewer, but larger crystals that have gaps between them and can shift into those gaps, resulting in plastic deformation, hence making softer material. after quenching, you need to temper the steel, which keeps the crystal structure, but reduces internal stresses between crystals, making steel less brittle. PS. had a letter opener like that on my desk for like 3 years now, yes i got duped on ebay.
Guilty. I have one of those “Damascus” razors which I bought from a catalog retailer from whom I have shopped for years. Verifies what Matt was saying all along. Sigh. Slap me, and slap me again.
When you see the painstaking process behind damascus steel, you will never fall for a price scam. Real damascus steel will set you back a couple hundos.
@@orlanskimer your somewhat right. Civivi has real damascus knives, with a 9cr18mov base for $70 to $100. However, I think that the vast majority of damascus straight razors are handmade . They should tell you what both steels are. And yeah, your looking at $$$$.
@@orlanskimer indeed just watch a you tube knife maker . thats some time to make it and hard work even with modern tools. And the whole time run the risk of the metal delaminating during the redhot stage and also during the quenge stage (cooling in oil)
@@RobbieT015 Most YT blacksmiths don't actually make real Damascus steel. Real Damascus steel is now known as Wootz steel, what they make is pattern welded steel. The difference is one is welded layers and the other is a completely smelted steel.
Very possible. I lucked out on a pocket watch from China. All the reviews stated they brake after about 2 weeks. I’ve had mine for about 3 years, and it keeps great time. But for every story like that there are dozens of scams.
I bought one of these in Florida at the Richloam general store and realized the next day upon close inspection the razor was no good and had to return it. Should have probably guessed when I saw made in Pakistan. I don’t think they know at the store. They just try and sell them because they also have dovo razors.
Thanks for putting this out many a new guy and gals have been duped by these in our honing forum someone pops up every couple months wanting help with honing tips, most of the guys that hone for hire won’t even take these.
It's a story of do your research. An unbranded Damascus steel blade that is cheap, is not the real McCoy. It's like buying a set of golf clubs from Wish and expecting them to be real. Counterfeits are every where and scammers are looking to make money off them.
Thank you Matt for this PSA. I am just now getting into straight razors, and I would have probably picked one up considering that it is supposed to be made of Damascus steel. This video has probably, or will probably save many people some money. In fact, I think that this PSA is so important to the wet shaving community that I am sharing it on one of my own videos.
If you bought one it would just be a tax on your own stupidity and illiteracy. Social Darwinism If you're dumb enough to get scammed, you earned it. I don't blame the enterprising scammers; I blame the mass of morons our society produces. Just for clarity though, I wouldn't trust the used car salsemen who made this video for half a second either. I suspect his only real issue with this social media scam is the fact that he feels it takes away from his business, but also that he didn't think of it himself. Damn why didn't I think of importing $2 razors from alibaba and spending 50k on marketing to convince low information idiots on facebook that they're getting high end amazing products for too good to be true price.
@@jeffhicks8428 first off Jeff, what is wrong with Matt informing wet shavers about a scam win it comes to straight razors? Secondly, if the illiteracy thing is aimed at me, I am blind, and use dictation, so if there are some typos, it is the phones fault, not mine. I think that you calling Matt a used car salesman is a little short sighted. Matt offers good products, at fair prices. His revamp, tuneup, and straight razor services are very good. I have a revamped, Ranger tech, and I also got a tuneup on a senator, which had a bent guard. The revamped ranger tech is beautiful, and the tuneup on the senator was outstanding. I consider Matt a good, and honest businessman.
I just watch a video of yours from 7 years ago and then this one. I like how much your energy has changed haha. Much more engaging. Lots of great info either way
Something else to realize about so called Damascus steel: you really don't want it for a razor. All those folds create layers with microscopic serrations which leave micr-tears. It's good for cutting flesh quickly but not cleanly. The reason Damascus steel is famous is 3 fold: durability, shock absorption, and cutting flesh. Those things are great for swords, not razors.
I actually use my original gold dollar as a letter opener ha I honed it to 700 grit and use it to open packages, mail, etc. Figured if I wasn't gonna shave with it I should repurpose it. Works great.
My wife got me one from Etsy for Christmas. It was a beautiful piece. I started honing it but to no avail.. so I contacted the the Smith who "made" it. He sent me a new one but it was shit as well! About a month later a buddy of mine sent me a video of this smith from Pakistan making these exact same razors for less than 10$.
Grandpa was a barber back in the 1940's/50's in Canton, Ohio. I was able to inherit a vertical wooden divider box of about twenty of his vintage razors, two hones and two strops. No one else in the family seemed to care too much about straight razors and seemed frightened of them. :)
Because Hollywood made them seem like weapons that just so happens that just so happen to also be shaving tools, instead of just a shaving tool. So now everyone thinks they’re super dangerous, and they’ll accidentally slice their ear off like in Reservoir Dogs the second it touches their skin lol
I got my first razor from eBay union cutlery, made in oleander ny. Just a few hours from me. Made in 1930. In my hand I held a piece that had a stack of stories starting before WWII. I started my first ever straight shave with it and started adding my own stories to its list. Got it for 40$ shave ready.
Personally, if you're just getting into straight razors, I would recommend Soviet pieces from STIZ and Trud Vacha. While they will never win any beauty contests, the quality is always there with an actual hardened steel edge. I would say these things compare rather well to even German and Swedish shavers of the same era. Anyway, great video! Learned a fair bit here.
I wish I saw this video before I purchased one earlier this year from Vintage Gentlemen. Totally duped. Told me to have a nice day on my BBB review, deleted my comment off of their IG, and surprise... they also only accept positive reviews on their website! So I only partially agree with you not exposing retailers, Matt. Some are complete trash all the way through. Looking forward to the Rex Ambassador I have coming via you guys! Please keep up the good work.
Many are actually heat treated (otherwise wouldn't hold any edge at all) but is completely the wrong steel and incorrect heat treating for razor edge. Usually a 7cr13mov (maybe 8, but sometimes even less, I've seen 3cr) crappy stainless steel. You are correct. Pieces of crap.
I use, fix and sharpen straight razors as a hobby. My buddy's wife got him a package deal off the internet ( strop,razor,shave soap and brush) she asked me to sharpen it for him because it was not sharp. The blade only said solingen on it but the overall quality was suspect. I couldn't get the edge shave sharp no matter what I did. I ended up giving him a customized boker straight razor from my collection. Buy from a reputable retailer like the razor emporium and you won't be sorry.
Damn it.. I bought one of these off etsy a few months ago. Tried it once and thought it sucked, now i know why. But now i have a double edged safety razor and i like it alot
I noticed a couple years ago a cheap straight razor at a pilots fuel station. I figured it would probably be no good, but I was going to be out of town for a week, so I figured I could try it during my vacation. It was worst then I thought.
I have a damascus steel razor. It 's extremely sharp. One of the reasons I like living in Europe is that these things are protected. Damascus=Damascus and nothing else. I have a leather strap to keep it sharp. Like mozarella in Europe can not be made from cow's milk, it has to come from Italian buffalo. Just saying.
@RazorEmporium I was given a razor, much like what is talked about here. I did the ping test and it pinged. I tested some of my actual straight razors and couldn't actually get them to ping at all. Though they are pretty dang old. Is the ping test actually reliable to tell if hardened steel?
I'm glad I found this video. I'm wet shaving my head with a safety razor and am curious about using a straight. I may have fallen into this trap if not for seeing this. In fact, I didn't know that Razor Emporium sold straight razors, so it helped in two regards!
I bought one of these through their early enrollee funding program and have owned it for several years. I got a decent shave from it and it was a cool design but was very slippery and hard to hold while shaving.
Hi Matt- Great video and heads-up for all those looking to purchase straight razors. I hope you have a great weekend ahead. Take good care and be safe and be well. Best regards, as always, Matt!
Hi Matt. Great video and very informative. I must admit I've never tried a straight razor but if I were to, and I will one day, I will follow your advice on this subject.
I am new to the straight razor realm. I have come across vintage/antique razors from time to time that are stamped with 'for barbers' or ' barbers use' etc on the tang or blade. I was wondering if there was any difference in those specific for barber labeled razors than compared to what the consumer world razor was getting. As well as were those labeled barber razor only truly sold just to barbers or could the consumer market at the time also buy them?
Good info and thanks for the PSA. Currently in barber school specifically to learn how to do shaves (added other fun stuff to that since I started 😂). Looking for a couple as presents to myself, everyday use, and look good. Any suggestions? Your channel rocks thanks again.
Matt, I got duped by a new major DE razor company. $90 CDN. A lot of marketing hype. The red flag was when they attacked established companies. I am, from now on only buying Merkur or vintage Gillette. Hype goes from fakes up to the top. Buyer beware. We live in avaricious times.
Unfortunately, ordered one of these a few day ago, and saw the video AFTER. 🤷♂️ I'm most concerned about the blade not holding a proper edge due to the lack of heat treating or improper blade geometry. I guess im going to have to see how these compare to my gold dollars. I ordered this razor because I'm actually looking for something NOT hollow ground. Word on the stret is that wedge razors mow more effortlessly through heavy growth. If I'm not mistaken, I believe that singing quality is not something you see in wedges?
@RazorEmporium , you are correct and then some. Biggest issue, to me, is the geometry. Heel shape contour does not match edge shape contour, and the angle created from the heel to the edge is probably 8-10 degrees, not 16-19 degrees, so any attempt to hone this thing is going to be pointless, as it will be too fine an adge angle. I suppose I could dremel away a lot of material to correct the blade geometry, but why bother if the fake & soft Damascus isn't going to hold the edge I later put on it? This, indeed, was a wasted purchase. When I pointed these things out to the seller, the bestvthey promised me was a discount that I haven't yet received.
I like someone coming out and saying this. A lot of people fall for these Damascus blades. On another hand, the gold dollar is a decent razor but don’t agree with you and others that overcharge for a gold dollar you can pick up on eBay for around $13. I like your business. I’ve got stuff from you, but the gold dollars bothers me. I’ve seen them for $100!
The only thing with the Duluth is that it's not "shave ready" . Most "newbies" will still have to send it in to be honed or return it to Duluth I'm sure. That's the down side to Duluth's. I love mine, definitely a good buy for the price. Not my favorite, but for the price it can't be beat.
as long the heat threat is right you could shave with 440C only thing is you have to hone it after every shave becuase 440C is verry soft (even when heat threathed) plus side of 440 c is it wont chip as fast if its 440A steel stay away from it (that is verry old stainless steel that is not verry good anno 2021) at least 440C but thats the bare minimum and would not be my choice....
Dovo and Boker sre real razors. Dovo come shave ready. If it's not labeled as shave ready, then you should expect to have to sharpen and strop it before using it.
very important rant. I'm into knives and never miss an episode of forged in fire. What you're saying is the absolute truth. People get duped all the time with crap.
Matt👍👍 Great PSA. A true, real, authentic straight razor, vintage or new, is actually kinda fairly expensive...IMO. You're gonna pay to play with a real str8. Thanks. Enjoy!
It would seem that nobody knows what damascus steel is , firstly that without detailed inspection looks like pattern welded steel , what is commonly referred to as "damascus steel" in modern day is that , pattern welded steel , you dont get it by rolling steel , you get it by layering steel with different composition and carbon value and thus creating a difference in the color of the steel after sanding it you dump it in acid (most common one is ferric chloride ) which will eat away at different rates depending on the alloy and carbon content of the steel . Pattern welded steel is not cheap and it is high quality because it really takes a lot of knowledge to be able to make a blade that wont crack and separate in different places . Historic damascus steel is probably the steel that was made in pots where the iron and charcoal would be added and some other organic stuff and when forged out and sanded it would have its own pattern . Hollow grinding existed long before you think , in medieval Europe they would use large sharpening stones that were circular that would indeed make a hollow grind on a blade. The explanation on heat treatment was very vague , heat treatment includes : Normalizing , Quenching and Tempering if you were to just normalize a piece of steel it would still be soft , if you were to quench a piece of steel without tempering it would be too brittle and not normalizing a piece of steel can cause stress points in steel that would probably crack. Hardened steel would be too brittle , tempered steel would be a lot tougher without being brittle. And different types of knives require different hardness levels , i would personally assume that straight razors would require a much softer temper then for example a bushcraft knife i guess it can get away with much harder temper since it doesent go under any shock and its only cutting hair so there isnt a high risk of cracking but im not sure either what hair does to the edge.
My first straight razor i bought when i didn't know about straight razors was a Sweeny Todd one i got off ebay. I never used it tho. Just like you said, it's a letter opener. Id NEVER try and shave with it. 😂👍🏼
looks like i got duped. i was considering getting it sent away to be honed but i think instead ill just buy a safety razor and use that instead. pretty bummed i was looking forward to straight shaving :(
Good rant...I have seen the fake (I guess for the price we should say "faux") Damascus steel appear in other applications. Always an indication something is not right.
What about the Titan straight razors that are made in China I just recently received mine that has brass caps on the end of the wooden scales (with a metal on the inside of the scales) I did the singing test and it sounded dull whereas my Gold Dollar 66 sings or pings
It would be nice if any of these comments had a clue. No such thing as Damascus steel? Can you explain that to the ABS? You really should get the tiniest clue before you open your mouth and reveal that you don’t have one. The formula that’s lost that you speak of is roots! Damascus is the name given to hammered and folded still, it does not refer to steal from Damascus. It usually refers to two different steals that have been hammered folded hammered and folded until it has giver take 1000 layers. That’s only about 10 times last time I did the math I could be off a little. THAT’S what Damascus is.Don’t take my word for it, look it up. What a bunch of idiots
Bought one from Naked Armor, damascus one. Can't return it since I opened the package and used it... Oh well 250 down the drain with that, already dull after one use.
Honestly anything Damascus selling on a mainstream shop should be taken with a grain of salt.
Nice rant. I'll never be a straight razor shaver but I certainly appreciate your setting the record straight. Real/quality metal knives, axes, and definitely straight razors need hardened steel to ever serve the purpose for which they were intended. BTW, consumers get duped day after day by scammers who sell clones of fake goods...whether they are straight razors, smartwatches, or even printer ink cartridges. The first clue is usually price. The old adage "you get what you pay for" should be heeded by all.
Wow Matt was so mad he didn’t say “If you leave a comment you’re entered to win a Razor Emporium T-Shirt.”
Thank you, Matt. I know I speak for many when I declare I'm also sick & tired of squeamish, mediocre products being advertised as the real deal. Much like Project Farm, you don't hold back - giving the viewer a complete perspective of the product by which they can then make their appropriate purchasing decision. Your enthusiasm, and more notably your vigilance, is appreciated and much needed. Oh yeah, almost forgot...exceptional rant!
I mean if you want to try straight razor shaving just buy a shavette razor to see if you like it. The blades are cheap to replace so you save the hassle of learning to strop and sharpen a blade (a LOT different than sharpening a knife) or the expense of sending them to be sharpened. If you find you like it then consider a real straight razor.
I got a shavette long after I started using straight razors but that (oft repeated) advice doesn't still too well with me. Shavettes are, IMHO, much more finicky and likely to cause accidental nicks and cuts than real straight razors. They require a bit more attention and care. Starting with a shavette is like jumping in the deep end without knowing how to swim and could give the wrong impression about straight razor shaving.
It's a combination of extreme sharpness and lack of flexibility which makes it a bad choice for a beginner. A good quality new, out of the packet, DE blade is going to be a lot sharper than your average hollow grind and on par with a well honed, extremely hollow ground edge (if you have something like a feather blade it's going to be even sharper) but it is also going to be as stiff as a wedge blade. A recipe for cutting your face up if there ever was one.
You really want the flex that a good hollow ground edge gives you when you start out. Even if its just a quarter/half hollow it is going to be much more forgiving when you pass over uneven skin and don't yet have the level of control to adjust your blade angle and pressure on the fly.
@@JimIBobIJones completely agree with you the angles are much different on a shavette too and blade aggressiveness
I got one of those bad razors (mine was from Naked Armor) as my very first one and it was horrible. It lasted for one shave (if that), but I liked it enough that I did some research and got a Ralf Aust as my next razor and it has been working wonderfully for almost a year now.
I have since given any of my friends who ask about shaving the advice of "Get a Ralf Aust to start with. They are a little more expensive, but so much more worth it in the long run."
Thank you for the info. I was considering getting a Naked Armor Razor. My instincts was saying to not go that route. After seeing your post, It confirmed my suspicion.
Not trying to contradict you on this, as I did not have your experience, but I will say Naked Armor does provide the blade's HRC on their item description (at least the one I got) and does plink with a sound more similar to the real blade than the fake featured here. Again, perhaps your experience is different than mine, but I don't think that the brand is a total scam. I've also shaved with it a few times and as my skill increases my shaves have only gotten closer and smoother. I hope to try new blades and brands as my spare time (and cash) increases. Happy shaving, friend!
@@DrpzOfBlUd787 I am glad that you had a good expirence with them. I ended up being glad that I got mine because it opened up the world of straight razor shaving to me. Even if the actual razor I got was pretty bad (as far as the blade itself anyway). It would only hold an edge for about 1/3 to 1/2 of my face before I had to resharpen it. When you decide to get a second razor, I really cannot recommend the Ralph Aust razors enough. My first one held it's edge for about a year with just stropping before I had to take a whetstone to it, and even then it only took a few passes on each stone in my set (Shapton stones at 2000, 4000, 8000, and 12000) to return a mirror polish and it has stayed sharp for another year. Best of luck in your endeavors.
Thankfully I saw this before buying from naked armor.
@@shirleyodonnell6717 Good, I am glad I was able to help. If you are still looking for a good straight razor, I still recommend a basic Ralf Aust as a combination of good quality and reasonable price.
4:55 this part is wrong. Heat treatment has not that much to do with carbon atoms. What actually happens is the crystals grow very fast from multiple nucleation sites, resulting in fine grain, high stress arrangement of crystals. When you cool metal slow, you end up with fewer, but larger crystals that have gaps between them and can shift into those gaps, resulting in plastic deformation, hence making softer material. after quenching, you need to temper the steel, which keeps the crystal structure, but reduces internal stresses between crystals, making steel less brittle.
PS. had a letter opener like that on my desk for like 3 years now, yes i got duped on ebay.
Guilty. I have one of those “Damascus” razors which I bought from a catalog retailer from whom I have shopped for years. Verifies what Matt was saying all along. Sigh. Slap me, and slap me again.
When you see the painstaking process behind damascus steel, you will never fall for a price scam. Real damascus steel will set you back a couple hundos.
@@orlanskimer your somewhat right. Civivi has real damascus knives, with a 9cr18mov base for $70 to $100. However, I think that the vast majority of damascus straight razors are handmade . They should tell you what both steels are. And yeah, your looking at $$$$.
@@orlanskimer indeed just watch a you tube knife maker . thats some time to make it and hard work even with modern tools.
And the whole time run the risk of the metal delaminating during the redhot stage and also during the quenge stage (cooling in oil)
Let me guess. Budk?
@@RobbieT015 Most YT blacksmiths don't actually make real Damascus steel. Real Damascus steel is now known as Wootz steel, what they make is pattern welded steel.
The difference is one is welded layers and the other is a completely smelted steel.
Straight razors are such a specialty item, It's very plausible the retailer is also a victim of the scammers.
Very possible. I lucked out on a pocket watch from China. All the reviews stated they brake after about 2 weeks. I’ve had mine for about 3 years, and it keeps great time. But for every story like that there are dozens of scams.
I bought one of these in Florida at the Richloam general store and realized the next day upon close inspection the razor was no good and had to return it. Should have probably guessed when I saw made in Pakistan. I don’t think they know at the store. They just try and sell them because they also have dovo razors.
Thanks for putting this out many a new guy and gals have been duped by these in our honing forum someone pops up every couple months wanting help with honing tips, most of the guys that hone for hire won’t even take these.
I gave up with straight razors, I rather use shavettes and have done for years, much less maintenance.
It's a story of do your research. An unbranded Damascus steel blade that is cheap, is not the real McCoy. It's like buying a set of golf clubs from Wish and expecting them to be real. Counterfeits are every where and scammers are looking to make money off them.
It also just seems obvious. If something is trying to sound expensive but is super cheap, it’s going to be shit.
Thank you Matt for this PSA. I am just now getting into straight razors, and I would have probably picked one up considering that it is supposed to be made of Damascus steel. This video has probably, or will probably save many people some money. In fact, I think that this PSA is so important to the wet shaving community that I am sharing it on one of my own videos.
If you bought one it would just be a tax on your own stupidity and illiteracy. Social Darwinism If you're dumb enough to get scammed, you earned it. I don't blame the enterprising scammers; I blame the mass of morons our society produces.
Just for clarity though, I wouldn't trust the used car salsemen who made this video for half a second either. I suspect his only real issue with this social media scam is the fact that he feels it takes away from his business, but also that he didn't think of it himself. Damn why didn't I think of importing $2 razors from alibaba and spending 50k on marketing to convince low information idiots on facebook that they're getting high end amazing products for too good to be true price.
@@jeffhicks8428 first off Jeff, what is wrong with Matt informing wet shavers about a scam win it comes to straight razors? Secondly, if the illiteracy thing is aimed at me, I am blind, and use dictation, so if there are some typos, it is the phones fault, not mine. I think that you calling Matt a used car salesman is a little short sighted. Matt offers good products, at fair prices. His revamp, tuneup, and straight razor services are very good. I have a revamped, Ranger tech, and I also got a tuneup on a senator, which had a bent guard. The revamped ranger tech is beautiful, and the tuneup on the senator was outstanding. I consider Matt a good, and honest businessman.
I just watch a video of yours from 7 years ago and then this one. I like how much your energy has changed haha. Much more engaging. Lots of great info either way
Something else to realize about so called Damascus steel: you really don't want it for a razor. All those folds create layers with microscopic serrations which leave micr-tears. It's good for cutting flesh quickly but not cleanly. The reason Damascus steel is famous is 3 fold: durability, shock absorption, and cutting flesh. Those things are great for swords, not razors.
Exactly 💯
Thank you for the information and caring about us dudes out there sharing that great hobby! 🪒💈
Excellent video... I fell for this and bought a fake razor grrr
I actually use my original gold dollar as a letter opener ha I honed it to 700 grit and use it to open packages, mail, etc. Figured if I wasn't gonna shave with it I should repurpose it. Works great.
I can attest that I got scammed with a fake straight razor. Wasnt hardened and was also warped in the spine
My wife got me one from Etsy for Christmas. It was a beautiful piece. I started honing it but to no avail.. so I contacted the the Smith who "made" it. He sent me a new one but it was shit as well! About a month later a buddy of mine sent me a video of this smith from Pakistan making these exact same razors for less than 10$.
Grandpa was a barber back in the 1940's/50's in Canton, Ohio. I was able to inherit a vertical wooden divider box of about twenty of his vintage razors, two hones and two strops. No one else in the family seemed to care too much about straight razors and seemed frightened of them. :)
As we'd say in England: ''Sorted!'' Vintages are the best.
Because Hollywood made them seem like weapons that just so happens that just so happen to also be shaving tools, instead of just a shaving tool. So now everyone thinks they’re super dangerous, and they’ll accidentally slice their ear off like in Reservoir Dogs the second it touches their skin lol
Nothing quite like a good well aimed Matt rant!
I got my first razor from eBay union cutlery, made in oleander ny. Just a few hours from me. Made in 1930. In my hand I held a piece that had a stack of stories starting before WWII. I started my first ever straight shave with it and started adding my own stories to its list. Got it for 40$ shave ready.
Personally, if you're just getting into straight razors, I would recommend Soviet pieces from STIZ and Trud Vacha. While they will never win any beauty contests, the quality is always there with an actual hardened steel edge. I would say these things compare rather well to even German and Swedish shavers of the same era. Anyway, great video! Learned a fair bit here.
I wish I saw this video before I purchased one earlier this year from Vintage Gentlemen. Totally duped. Told me to have a nice day on my BBB review, deleted my comment off of their IG, and surprise... they also only accept positive reviews on their website! So I only partially agree with you not exposing retailers, Matt. Some are complete trash all the way through.
Looking forward to the Rex Ambassador I have coming via you guys! Please keep up the good work.
Many are actually heat treated (otherwise wouldn't hold any edge at all) but is completely the wrong steel and incorrect heat treating for razor edge. Usually a 7cr13mov (maybe 8, but sometimes even less, I've seen 3cr) crappy stainless steel. You are correct. Pieces of crap.
Great video and I hope it goes viral. People can be easily duped by the internet.
I use, fix and sharpen straight razors as a hobby. My buddy's wife got him a package deal off the internet ( strop,razor,shave soap and brush) she asked me to sharpen it for him because it was not sharp. The blade only said solingen on it but the overall quality was suspect. I couldn't get the edge shave sharp no matter what I did. I ended up giving him a customized boker straight razor from my collection. Buy from a reputable retailer like the razor emporium and you won't be sorry.
Damn it.. I bought one of these off etsy a few months ago. Tried it once and thought it sucked, now i know why. But now i have a double edged safety razor and i like it alot
I noticed a couple years ago a cheap straight razor at a pilots fuel station. I figured it would probably be no good, but I was going to be out of town for a week, so I figured I could try it during my vacation. It was worst then I thought.
Been using the same Solingen blade for more than 20 years. I love it.
So glad you made this video sir!
I have a damascus steel razor. It 's extremely sharp. One of the reasons I like living in Europe is that these things are protected. Damascus=Damascus and nothing else. I have a leather strap to keep it sharp. Like mozarella in Europe can not be made from cow's milk, it has to come from Italian buffalo. Just saying.
@RazorEmporium I was given a razor, much like what is talked about here. I did the ping test and it pinged. I tested some of my actual straight razors and couldn't actually get them to ping at all. Though they are pretty dang old. Is the ping test actually reliable to tell if hardened steel?
I'm glad I found this video. I'm wet shaving my head with a safety razor and am curious about using a straight. I may have fallen into this trap if not for seeing this. In fact, I didn't know that Razor Emporium sold straight razors, so it helped in two regards!
Hi, need your help. I get a very thin shiny line on the edge of the bevelled after honing the stright razor. is this good or bad.?
Thanks for this video! Many people need to see this!
What razor would you recommend for a novice? Hollow? Half hollow?
Best make value for money?
Get a gold dollar from us. If you love straight shaving, get a ralf aust.
All of my straight razors are vintage high quality razors....Shumate, Clauss, Mayer & Grosh, WH Morley & Sons, etc
$50 is a good price. I take it these can be re honed? Any in 6/8 with a French Tip?
Glad you mentioned gold dollar, wasn’t sure if it was a letter opener or not. Now I know it is a razor.
I bought one of these through their early enrollee funding program and have owned it for several years. I got a decent shave from it and it was a cool design but was very slippery and hard to hold while shaving.
Love your videos can you tell me which straight razor that you recommend for beginners also with a kit that comes with it please let me know thanks.
We sell a beginner kit. Thx
I'm 29 I'm getting into the straight razor and this was very helpful but do you have a video showing everything for beginners?
We have a ton of videos on straight razors. Search our channel!
Hi Matt- Great video and heads-up for all those looking to purchase straight razors. I hope you have a great weekend ahead. Take good care and be safe and be well. Best regards, as always, Matt!
Thank you. I really want to buy a straight razor and this is good info.
Hi Matt. Great video and very informative. I must admit I've never tried a straight razor but if I were to, and I will one day, I will follow your advice on this subject.
Any chance you rockwell’d the scam blade? I’d be curious to see what it reads.
No I should though!
Great advice, Matt! Thanks for putting out these informative videos.
has anyone tried the "Kraki's Shave Kit" from "The beard struggle"? I wanna know if its the real deal or just another scam/fake
Great videos I just started using a straight razor and I have watched just about all your videos Thanks for the decent instructions and techniques!
I am new to the straight razor realm. I have come across vintage/antique razors from time to time that are stamped with 'for barbers' or ' barbers use' etc on the tang or blade. I was wondering if there was any difference in those specific for barber labeled razors than compared to what the consumer world razor was getting. As well as were those labeled barber razor only truly sold just to barbers or could the consumer market at the time also buy them?
They were bigger so that they could withstand more honing. I.e. longer lifespan. Sure you could buy them
@@RazorEmporium Good to know...Thank you for the reply
Alright. You’ve taught me something useful. I’m going to look up your website now. Thank you.
Yeah I got a boss 5/8ths from old world shave. Way to heavy and lost it's edge after 3 shaves.
Good info and thanks for the PSA. Currently in barber school specifically to learn how to do shaves (added other fun stuff to that since I started 😂). Looking for a couple as presents to myself, everyday use, and look good. Any suggestions? Your channel rocks thanks again.
Our kits
Matt, I got duped by a new major DE razor company. $90 CDN. A lot of marketing hype. The red flag was when they attacked established companies. I am, from now on only buying Merkur or vintage Gillette. Hype goes from fakes up to the top. Buyer beware. We live in avaricious times.
Unfortunately, ordered one of these a few day ago, and saw the video AFTER. 🤷♂️
I'm most concerned about the blade not holding a proper edge due to the lack of heat treating or improper blade geometry. I guess im going to have to see how these compare to my gold dollars.
I ordered this razor because I'm actually looking for something NOT hollow ground. Word on the stret is that wedge razors mow more effortlessly through heavy growth. If I'm not mistaken, I believe that singing quality is not something you see in wedges?
Correct. But how many wedges are made today? Not many
@@RazorEmporium, very true! Seems like a lot of the antique sheffields that are even reasonably good are not sold for cheap.
@RazorEmporium , you are correct and then some. Biggest issue, to me, is the geometry. Heel shape contour does not match edge shape contour, and the angle created from the heel to the edge is probably 8-10 degrees, not 16-19 degrees, so any attempt to hone this thing is going to be pointless, as it will be too fine an adge angle. I suppose I could dremel away a lot of material to correct the blade geometry, but why bother if the fake & soft Damascus isn't going to hold the edge I later put on it? This, indeed, was a wasted purchase. When I pointed these things out to the seller, the bestvthey promised me was a discount that I haven't yet received.
Thanks Matt!
Love it when Matt gets fired up!! 🤣🔥🤣
how do you find the official site of damascus razors? i cant find the offical site just a bunch of bs from etsy
There is not an official site.
I like someone coming out and saying this. A lot of people fall for these Damascus blades. On another hand, the gold dollar is a decent razor but don’t agree with you and others that overcharge for a gold dollar you can pick up on eBay for around $13. I like your business. I’ve got stuff from you, but the gold dollars bothers me. I’ve seen them for $100!
We charge $50. Comes with new cnc scales we make, and is honed in house. I think it's a bargain.
Duluth Trading Co sells an unsharpened 'Real Deal Straight Razor' (made from 440 stainless steel) for $12.95 with similar qualities.
The only thing with the Duluth is that it's not "shave ready" . Most "newbies" will still have to send it in to be honed or return it to Duluth I'm sure. That's the down side to Duluth's. I love mine, definitely a good buy for the price. Not my favorite, but for the price it can't be beat.
as long the heat threat is right you could shave with 440C only thing is you have to hone it after every shave becuase 440C is verry soft (even when heat threathed)
plus side of 440 c is it wont chip as fast if its 440A steel stay away from it (that is verry old stainless steel that is not verry good anno 2021)
at least 440C but thats the bare minimum and would not be my choice....
Are Red Deer straight razors heat treated properly?
Buy it nice, or buy it twice.
So I just purchased The Boss 5/8ths from one of TRS partners.. Is this a straight razor or a letter opener?
Does it ping when plucked?
@@RazorEmporium I can't get it too. My nails are very short. Almost cut my finger trying to pluck it.
Very good PSA! 😉👍
Great video, you're absolutely right.
Been here since Matt had no gray hairs. Still uploading good stuff. Keep it up 👍🏻
Lol
I thought it was going to be a video about Gold Dollar razors. 😂
Dovo and Boker sre real razors. Dovo come shave ready. If it's not labeled as shave ready, then you should expect to have to sharpen and strop it before using it.
Thank you Matt!!!👊
anybody remembers the Krieger straight razor?
very important rant. I'm into knives and never miss an episode of forged in fire. What you're saying is the absolute truth. People get duped all the time with crap.
If someone is motivated can the craptastic razor be heat-treated with a torch?
What about lead quenching?
P.S. not new (1920's)
kriegar german-Chinese made. is this a food blade cause I want it sharpen.
Matt👍👍 Great PSA. A true, real, authentic straight razor, vintage or new, is actually kinda fairly expensive...IMO. You're gonna pay to play with a real str8. Thanks. Enjoy!
It would seem that nobody knows what damascus steel is , firstly that without detailed inspection looks like pattern welded steel , what is commonly referred to as "damascus steel" in modern day is that , pattern welded steel , you dont get it by rolling steel , you get it by layering steel with different composition and carbon value and thus creating a difference in the color of the steel after sanding it you dump it in acid (most common one is ferric chloride ) which will eat away at different rates depending on the alloy and carbon content of the steel .
Pattern welded steel is not cheap and it is high quality because it really takes a lot of knowledge to be able to make a blade that wont crack and separate in different places .
Historic damascus steel is probably the steel that was made in pots where the iron and charcoal would be added and some other organic stuff and when forged out and sanded it would have its own pattern .
Hollow grinding existed long before you think , in medieval Europe they would use large sharpening stones that were circular that would indeed make a hollow grind on a blade.
The explanation on heat treatment was very vague , heat treatment includes : Normalizing , Quenching and Tempering if you were to just normalize a piece of steel it would still be soft , if you were to quench a piece of steel without tempering it would be too brittle and not normalizing a piece of steel can cause stress points in steel that would probably crack.
Hardened steel would be too brittle , tempered steel would be a lot tougher without being brittle.
And different types of knives require different hardness levels , i would personally assume that straight razors would require a much softer temper then for example a bushcraft knife i guess it can get away with much harder temper since it doesent go under any shock and its only cutting hair so there isnt a high risk of cracking but im not sure either what hair does to the edge.
I got a cheap Dorco straight razor and does wonders 😅
I might upgrade in the future ❤
Are SID straight razors any good?
Link? Never heard of them.
Thanks for this video!
for now I'm sticking to my DE.
Super useful information! Thank you!😎👍🏻✌🏻
My first straight razor i bought when i didn't know about straight razors was a Sweeny Todd one i got off ebay. I never used it tho. Just like you said, it's a letter opener. Id NEVER try and shave with it. 😂👍🏼
What do you know about Forseti Damascus Steel straight razor blades?
🤣Informative and SUPER FUN video! Thanks Matt!
looks like i got duped. i was considering getting it sent away to be honed but i think instead ill just buy a safety razor and use that instead. pretty bummed i was looking forward to straight shaving :(
Good rant...I have seen the fake (I guess for the price we should say "faux") Damascus steel appear in other applications. Always an indication something is not right.
Great video as always..!
Uhh, letter openers, real ones, are sharp and hold an edge. It slices open the letter instead of just tearing it.
What about naked armor? They are selling kits that seem ok. I bought one, jury is still out. Should have done some research first.
What about the Titan straight razors that are made in China I just recently received mine that has brass caps on the end of the wooden scales (with a metal on the inside of the scales) I did the singing test and it sounded dull whereas my Gold Dollar 66 sings or pings
If there are brass bolsters you bought a dud. No sing = letter opener.
By the way,i use my made knives for shaving. Not razors,but my made regular knives. Finnish puukkos,Japanese tantos,mini knives... etc.
Great PSA Matt
There really is no such thing these days as Damascus steel. What everyone calls Damascus steel is pattern welded steel.
Wtf are you talking about?
@82sjmc true Damascus steel is made in Damascus, which doesn't exist any more.
Damascus exists, but the formula for true Damascus steel is lost to history. Modern lookalikes aren’t the same.
It would be nice if any of these comments had a clue. No such thing as Damascus steel? Can you explain that to the ABS? You really should get the tiniest clue before you open your mouth and reveal that you don’t have one. The formula that’s lost that you speak of is roots! Damascus is the name given to hammered and folded still, it does not refer to steal from Damascus. It usually refers to two different steals that have been hammered folded hammered and folded until it has giver take 1000 layers. That’s only about 10 times last time I did the math I could be off a little. THAT’S what Damascus is.Don’t take my word for it, look it up. What a bunch of idiots
, Sorry spellcheck… The formula that is lost is WOOTZ
Do a PSA about Vikings Blade ! Apparently they are just copies of $5 razors upcharged by 5-7x
Thanks Matt.
The name of the company that sell those razor is called hometown knives town. They are horrible.
Bought one from Naked Armor, damascus one. Can't return it since I opened the package and used it... Oh well 250 down the drain with that, already dull after one use.
Damn :(