Thread: Stainless?? Advantages vs Disadvantages

I am new to this straight razor thing. (and do have some cuts to prove it) I know that someone has probably already asked this, but here goes: What are the advantages and disadvantages of Carbon Steel vs Stainless Steel? If SS is better, is it worth the extra $$ ?

Thanks in Advance,

Jim

Carbon Steel is going to be easier to hone but won't hold an edge as long as SS. Inversely, SS is harder to hone (speaking from personal experience) but will hold an edge much longer. If you store either razor properly you won't have to worry about it rusting.

I realize there are those purists who would rather be dead then shave with a stainless razor but as has been said previously they both shave equally. The tradeoff is a bit more work to hone in the stainless and longer periods between honings while with the carbon the opposite is true.

Its kind of like asking a gun fancier which is better Colt or Smith and Wesson. depending on which he prefers he'll give many reasons why one is superior to the other.

I like both. I surely love my carbon steel razors and their feel, but I also LOVE my Friodur stainless blades. They are so easy to care for (never a stain) once they are honed. And they shave beautifully. Like my kitchen knives, I find them both up to the task once properly sharpened.

I like them both as well, but it is much harder to get an edge on a stainless razor. Unless you're getting a stainless razor that's shave ready, I'd say to focus on carbon razors until you perfect the honing process.
-Fred

How do the SS razors respond to pastes. Seems if they're resistant to honing they'd be even less responsive to pastes, no?

Originally Posted by xman

How do the SS razors respond to pastes. Seems if they're resistant to honing they'd be even less responsive to pastes, no?

SS razors are, IMHO, much harder to get an edge on whether it's on a hone or pasted strop. I'm no expert at honing, by any means, but I am able to get a good edge on most carbon steel razors.
-Fred

The best carbon steel razors have a better grain and better edge, in my opinion. But that shouldn't be enough to discourage anyone from trying a Friodur or one of th other fine stainless razors available. I don't think the honing is that much more difficult with stainless, either. I've got a couple stainless razors and they shave well and are easy to maintain. They're not my favorites, though. They're a bit more "tingly" as they shave, suggesting a somewhat coarser grain to me.

Several of my favorite shavers are stainless and of course we have the Maestro's ATS 34 which is awesome. I find that the stainless razors mainly take a few extra strokes on the 8K and Coticule. Lynn

As for me, I prefer the carbon steel over the stainless steel. Stainless steel is great for holding an edge, but as others have said, harder to hone. I like the softer steel for honing purposes. I have passed up some great razors because they were stainless. That is what works for me,but each to his own.

If you are in this for the long haul, try at least one of each and draw your own conclusions. After honing, stropping and shaving, let us know what your opinion is.