Thread: What is the Difference in Steels?

I have been DE shaving for about 2 months now and have become very interested in crossing over into straights. However, I am confused by the different types of steel used. So far I have seen carbon, stainless, manganese and silver (the latter 2 on older blades). I am leaning more toward the purchase of a vintage razor because they seem to have more style and character in an affordable price range (sometimes) but I don't want to get one that is going to be difficult to get sharp and keep sharp. It seems that I need to look for the German, French and Sheffield blades but it seems I had read somewhere about Damascus blades. Are they forged in Damascus and stamped into the blade or is it a company name and is etched onto the blade and are they of good quality? So many questions...

Hi Rodney and welcome!

So many questions? You've barely started!

Carbon steel is the standard steel type for straights. It's easy enough to get sharp on a hone or pasted strop, but very susceptible to rusting, tarnishing etc. German (Solingen) and Sheffield steels are usually carbon steel.

Stainless steel is harder to get sharp, but keeps an edge much longer (i.e. longer between honing). And of course it tarnishes less easily.

Do a search on Damascus here and you'll find out more info than you can shake a stick at. True Damascus (also called Wootz, and rare) is different to modern Damascus which mainly emulates the patterning in the steel itself (like ripples of water). I couldn't tell you how it hones or keeps an edge as I have no experience of Damascus blades yet.

Using the search function will keep you busy for months, reading up on everything you need and want to know. Have fun!

On the older steels silver was added in trace amounts to change some of the properties of the steel. Manganese has been added to steels for a long time as well. These steels are still basicaly carbon steel. Generally soft to allow ease in sharpening and honeing.

Don't worry to much about the steel this early in the game. Stick with the reagenal groups of makers till you find what works best for you, than start narowing the playing field.

Silver?
Oh my how cool would that be.

I mean what little kid at heart wouldn't want a blade with some werewolf fighting silver in it.

Sweet!

From what I have read the amount of silver in it was just enough to say it had silver in the mix... I think rubbing a pice of silver on your regular steel razor would put the same amount of silver on it

Silver was used as an anti bacterial metal for a time, thus adding silver to the steel to gain sales from the ultra parinoid anti germ buyers. I don't know enough about steel and germ fighting to make any kind of statement as to its effectivness. So don't quote me on this stuff, it's just what I read here and there... Thats my story, and I'm sticking to it....

"So if I get a silver nose ring, will it keep me from getting sinus infections???"

Skip the damascus. Damascus it pattern welded steel made of different steels welded together. Acid is used to react with the metal to bring out the pattern. It's hella expensive and mostly decorative. Robert Williams actually once said it isn't his idea of an ideal material for razors as it's not as homogenous as the regular steels used

Thanks for the info guys, interesting stuff. I am currently looking at the more well-known (at least to me) brands like dubl duck, Boker, Puma. I am also seriously considering the "Razor of the Month" Dovo deal. But I want to try and luck into a good vintage for cheap for a little while first, no big hurry but didn't want to get burned by a bad blade type. However, after reading your comments and browsing through more posts I'm getting a better feel for what to look for. It's so nice to have such a great resource of knowledge to turn to.

Here's a somewhat technical description of the difference between carbon steel and stainless steel. By hobby, I am a knifemaker and have used both for knives. I also do my own heat treating and must understand the 'whys' to the difference 'recipes' for different steels. There are many elements that can go into making different types of steels. For this discussion, we will only be concerned with 3; carbon, iron and chromium. Steel is made by adding a small percentage of carbon to iron ore. Pure iron is a soft, ductile material, but the addition of carbon changes it to a hard, strong metal. Low and medium carbon steels have a carbon content of 0.08 to 0.60%. High carbon steels, having carbon contents from 0.60 to 2.40%, are considered high alloy steels and tool steels. When the percentage of carbon approaches or exceeds the 3% range the metal undergoes a change and becomes cast iron instead of steel. High carbon steels can be heat treated to increase their hardness. High carbon steels are prone to stain and/or rust unless extreme care is taken to prevent this from happening. Exposure to acidic or salty material, like tomatoes, citrus fruits, blood and salt water can cause staining. To help prevent staining, chromium is added to the high carbon steel. When the percentage of chromium exceeds 12.0% the steel is considered to be stainless. A very common steel used for knives that greatly resembles the high carbon steels of yesteryear is 1095 tool steel. It contains 1.05% carbon and no chromium. The spring steel most commonly uses in car springs makes a great knife and is 5160 spring steel; 0.60 carbon and 1% chromium. A tool steel favored by many of today's knifemakers is D2 tool steel; 1.55% carbon and 12.0% chromium (almost a stainless steel). One of the most popular steels used for fine (not cheap) kitchen knives is 440C; 1.05% carbon and 17.0% chromium.
An interesting comment made about stainless steel razors is that they are generally harder to sharpen than carbon steel razors. In the knife world, just the opposite is true. Some steels, both high carbon and stainless, achieve a Rockwell hardness exceeding 60 when hardened. However, after hardening, steels are quite brittle and are then tempered to make them tough. The tempering process removes the brittleness, but, reduces the hardness. Stainless steels will usually become softer than high carbon making stainless steel knives easier to sharpen. But, they won't hold an edge as long as the harder high carbon knife. I need to do some research on heat treating for steels used in razors. The trick to make stainless harder than high carbon must be in the tempering process.
I hope this helps and wasn't too long.
The short answer on modern Damascus - it's very pretty and very expensive because it is very time consuming to make. I know because I've made a few billets. It can be a good blade, but, is mainly for looks. If anyone wants the long story about how it's made, please let me know.