Thread: Will a Wood Handle Warp

Hey guys,

I was just wondering if you could tell me about the handles of a razor warping, especially if they're made of wood. I'm thinking about getting this: DOVO Straight Razors It seems that getting the handle wet is inevitable; what are the results?

Also, how does a Damascus steel blade compare? I find it amazing that one can find a relatively cheap blade made of Damascus, like this one N.MIRZA CUSTOM MADE DAMASCUS STEEL STRAIGHT RAZOR/KNIFE - eBay (item 220695066951 end time Dec-10-10 09:22:10 PST) for such a low price ($100 range). Is it usable?

Hi there . Actually many of us don't get the scales or handles wet. It can be dangerous holding a wet slippery razor & it can promote rust when storing the razor if the scales are not dry. The timber is the least of your worries.

Damascus razors shave very well but are closer to 4 figure prices rather than those $100 eBay jobs. Notice it is described as a razor/knife & not a single feed back says how great it shaves. I would say no, not usable but never bought one as most likely they are made in Pakistan & of low quality.

There was a heap of posts about these here:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/aucti...us-blades.html

I don't think you have to worry about wooden handle warping even if it gets a little wet. First, even when you rinse it under running wheter it is for so short time that it won't souk that much moisture.

Second, it will won't warp especially much even if it gets really soaked, as long as it isn't the worst part of the timber (wood closer to center of the tree is much more stable then the outer parts).

Damascus steel is (as far as I know) the method the smith as has used, it does not refer to the steel quality itself. As I heard it is a way of combining several thin steel layers, resulting in beautiful products a (The better quality of the layers, the better the product will be. The method has been used for combining cheaper steel in the core and beteter steel at the edge, but now a days when steel isn't that expensive I suppose most smith uses good steel for all layers).

Griff94,

It is quite easy to keep the scales dry during a shave

Over the couple of years I have had them, I have had no problems with my ebony scaled razors, nor indeed from any of my wood scaled razors; keep the scales dry, and treat them with Renaissance Wax, and all should be good

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

The only concern with wood scales doesn't concern getting them wet and warping it would be more an issue with the maker using green wood that over time just warps and cracks as it ages. As long as the wood isn't green and has been properly stabilized and treated I wouldn't worry.

I have several razors with wood handles and they are all fine. Of course they aren't 30 years old but I don't expect problems.

You dont' need to worry at all. That is my first razor, and the one I use the most. I've been shaving for over 7 months with it and the handle gets wet with just about every shave and there is no warping at all.

Put another way, all scales CAN warp, the only materials that are being used nowadays that might not, are the Carbon Fiber, Micara and the G-10 and those are only about 2-3 years old on razors so they haven't survived any real test of time yet either...
A razor is after all just a tool, take care of your tools and they will take care of you...