Thread: Best Stainless for Razors ?

Originally Posted by BobH

As an interested outsider, why not just use the stainless steels current manufacturers use unless they are not obtainable? They have been proven over time to work well. As an end user I personally don't care what type of stainless steel is used. So far all the vintage stainless steel razors I use, including an old George Ibberson Firth Stainless, shave very well.

Bob

Because most knife steel is not great for razors, are a bitch to work, and difficult to hone.

Also a choice for steel is always a tradeoff and a good knife steel is tough and strong and abrasion resistant. Qualities which are not required for razors and usually come at the price of not getting as fine and smooth an edge as carbon steel

Originally Posted by Bruno

Because most knife steel is not great for razors, are a bitch to work, and difficult to hone.

Also a choice for steel is always a tradeoff and a good knife steel is tough and strong and abrasion resistant. Qualities which are not required for razors and usually come at the price of not getting as fine and smooth an edge as carbon steel

Sorry, I should have said "current manufacturers of straight razors use" . I realize that knife steel needs and has different properties than steels needed for straight razor production. I mean they have been making stainless steel straight razors for at 80+ years now so it should not be all that mysterious. That is unless of course the makers have been keeping it an industrial secret for that length of time.

Bob