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  1. #1
    Member ZethLent's Avatar
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    Default What's the best stainless steel to use for a straight?

    Well the title says it all. I am wondering what the best variety of stainless steel to use for making a straight razor is?

    Thank you.
    笑う門に福来たる。

  2. #2
    Senior Member floppyshoes's Avatar
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    Depends on the exact hardness you want in the end, who is working it and how.

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    Mike Blue (10-20-2009)

  4. #3
    "My words are of iron..."
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    "It depends." is the correct answer.

    I have a Japanese straight that I'm pretty sure is ATS-34. Nowadays that is old hat, passe', boring. But, it shaves as well or better than I could ask for.

    My good friend Knip has made a few razors of the US particle metallurgy version of that steel, 154CPM, and I'm sure it will give very good to excellent service.

    There's really no need to run off after the wunderstahls. The old stuff hasn't been played out yet.
    “Nothing discloses real character like the use of power. Most people can bear adversity. But if you wish to know what a man really is, give him power.” R.G.Ingersoll

  5. #4
    Member ZethLent's Avatar
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    Thanks for the replies. More than helpful.
    笑う門に福来たる。

  6. #5
    I used Nakayamas for my house mainaman's Avatar
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    INOX is a very good stainless.
    Aritsugu uses stainless steel (Ginsanko), that produces one of the most durable edges ever, unfortunately no one really knows what exactly steel is that.
    Stefan

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    Senior Member matt321's Avatar
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    This has some good info:
    Knife Steel FAQ

  8. #7
      Lynn's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mike Blue View Post
    "It depends." is the correct answer.

    I have a Japanese straight that I'm pretty sure is ATS-34. Nowadays that is old hat, passe', boring. But, it shaves as well or better than I could ask for.

    My good friend Knip has made a few razors of the US particle metallurgy version of that steel, 154CPM, and I'm sure it will give very good to excellent service.

    There's really no need to run off after the wunderstahls. The old stuff hasn't been played out yet.
    +1. I have razors in both these steels, have shaved with both and honed both and find them to be really good in all categories. They hone up well and are very nice shavers.

    Lynn

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    just had a question, i've made a couple knives out of old metal files wondered what you all thought about maybe using one for a razor?

  10. #9
    Senior Member Buddel's Avatar
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    Normaly file steel is good useable for razors. More important is the correct heat treating process. For that it is usefull to know, what steel exactly the used in the file. For normal knives the exact hardness and fine grain of the steel is not so important, like for a straight razor.

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    Mike Blue (11-06-2009)

  12. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Buddel View Post
    Normaly file steel is good useable for razors. More important is the correct heat treating process. For that it is usefull to know, what steel exactly the used in the file. For normal knives the exact hardness and fine grain of the steel is not so important, like for a straight razor.
    +1, although if you or your heat treater are capable (knowledge and tools) of controlling the grain, that is a good thing to do.
    “Nothing discloses real character like the use of power. Most people can bear adversity. But if you wish to know what a man really is, give him power.” R.G.Ingersoll

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