For those unaware aluminum bronze is an alloy of aluminum, copper, along with other trace metals and is characterized by being corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and strength. Sounds like the perfect material for safety razors and yet, I haven’t found any examples of razors being made out of this. Why do you think this is? P.S. Turns out there is also an alloy called aluminum brass which is similarly corrosion resistant but slightly less strong. I would ask the same question about this material as well.
Timeless razors make an aluminium bronze razor.
Interesting that they don’t mention “aluminum bronze” in the marketing. I wonder if all bronze razors are aluminum bronze.
Yeah, they mention the type of bronze and if you google it, it shows up as an alu bronze, but no mention otherwise.
Unfortunately, most websites I have seen don’t bother to specify the specific alloy formulation they use.
It’s gorgeous, out of my price range but gorgeous.
This is a cool question and made me think.
Common metals for safety razors (not including plated razors) are:
- Aluminum
- Stainless steel
- Titanium
- Brass
- Bronze
The prices of these razors depend mainly on how difficult it is to machine. Titanium, I believe, is the most difficult to machine. The material cost also varies, but most of the price is reflected in how much time it takes to machine a razor.
From a marketing perspective, people solid metal razors for one of a few reasons.
- Appearance
- Weight preference
- Some people like a patina
To compete with the other metals, Aluminum Bronze only appeal to people who want a dark metal razor, but no patina. Most people who buy Brass or Bronze want a patina.
That being said, as someone who owns a stainless steel razor and a titanium razor, I’d totally buy an Aluminum Bronze razor knowing it won’t get a patina (or at least not much of one). The only question is price. How difficult is it to machine? I assume it’s pretty easy.
Silicon bronze is pretty tough and corrosion resistant. It machines well too. It could be a choice.
The inclusion of Lead might be an issue. Silicon brass looks to be lead free but is only moderately corrosion resistant.
Not hard enough and thus not sharp enough.
Aluminum bronze can be strong but it cannot get very hard (my Google says around 27 Rockwell C hardness). A typical razor blade is at least 60 HRC.
The hardness of a material generally dictates how sharp of an edge can be put on it. Harder materials do not deflect away from your grinding wheel and can thus keep a narrower, sharper edge. Also harder materials keep an edge longer and better.That aluminum bronze would make a good corrosion resistant blade, but you wouldn’t be able to get (or keep) it sharp enough to make for a comfortable shave.
I am not asking about blades but the razor handle and head.
Ahhh. Important distinction.
In that case it is likely just a cost and practicality thing. Copper alloys are significantly more expensive than stainless steels or plastics. They’re a little harder to form and shape as well due to their cold work hardening properties (the more you bend it, the harder it gets, until it breaks; stainless is more ductile in this regard).
It would be pretty, but I guess manufacturers have likely not determined an economic benefit to making a higher end, more expensive, harder to manufacture razor body out of these metals.
Then why are stainless steel razors often more expensive than brass? Also with its lower melting point means it can be cast and I have heard machining stainless steel is difficult to machine.
Super good looking. It will get a patina to it but its famously corrosion resistant. There is a reason they make propellers out of it.
I’m not sure how it will go for galvanic corrosion from the blades. Should be fine with stainless screws/parts.
Tbh any material that isn’t brittle and resistant to corrosion should be enough for a safety razor I can definitely see this material being used although I’m not a material expert. Curious how would the weight feel i know that bronze and brass do have some heft to them
Personally I like the color of polished bronze and brass. It is like gold plating without having to be paranoid about damaging literal gold.
