Thread: Stainless Steel or Carbon Steel?

Hi

I'm just looking to make my first purchase of a straight and cannot decide on stainless or carbon steel. Does anyone know which is best and why?

Richard16

Welcome to SRP. Here is a link to previous posts answering the question. You will find that the general consensus is that they are both good with stainless being a bit harder to sharpen in some people's opinion but holding an edge a bit longer. I have both and like both but if I only could have one it would be carbon.

Richard,

You know, I don't think it makes much difference with respect to the quality of the shave, both can be excellent razors. The stainless, or more correctly corrosion resistant, steel is a little more friendly to hostile environments and treatment. Stainless steels are typically more wear resistant than steels not alloyed with large amounts of chromium - so the stainless steel razor should be more time consuming to sharpen and should dull more slowly than a plain carbon steel razor. However, some of the new carbon steels, such as the Thiers Issard Silverwing alloy, have a very high carbon content and thus are very hard. This should make this steel both difficult to hone and quite wear resistant, but the carbon does nothing for stain resistance.

Since you are starting out, the easiest and most cost effective way to go is with a classified ad or buy, sell, trade forum vintage carbon steel razor which has been honed by someone who knows how to do it. Just be conscientious in how you dry it after a shave and you will have absolutely no problem with corrosion for the life of the blade.

good luck, good shaving,

Bruce and Jimmy have hit all the points already
I would only add my opinion too, that if I could only have one it would be Carbon...

Also keep in mind the it is actually Stain Less not Stainless as in they will rust, just slower

Bruce

Thanks for the explanation, I appreciate it. What do you think would be a good buy / make for a vintage?

Kind Regards

Richard

Hi

That probably decides it for me, cheers. So, I'm in the market for a decent vintage carbon. I think I would prefer a rounded end and quite a stubby (not too long blade). It's my first purchase so I don't want to push the boat out to much...maybe £40 quid for a shave ready blade? If you happen across something that might suite please drop me a line.

Kind Regards
and thanks for the help.

Richard

How can you tell the difference?

'Better' is a subjective term. Carbon feels better in the shave and is a little easier to hone. Stainless resists rusting a little more. I prefer carbon.

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