Thread: Real benefits of stainless razors in every day use?

Hi folks! I own a collection of razors, all carbon steel. I've got Dovo Best Quality 5/8, Heartring 5/8, Genco Expert 6/8, Wapienica, etc., all of them very nice razors. I shave with a razor every day and I consider my razors not only beautiful but useful, functional tools as well.

One thing I have noticed is the difficulty of wiping the razor clean of water after each use. Perhaps I shouldn't get the razor wet in the first place, but it annoys me to carefully dry the razor with paper or towel, put it down to dry outside the bathroom, and to carefully oil it, should it need to sit unused for a longer period. Still my razors seem to get those black spots every now and then, indicating there was - after all - moisture involved.

Now then, I have read about stainless steel razors but still don't own one. I do realize they are not exatcly stain-less, although they are more stain resistant than carbon steel razors. I've also heard stories of the hardness of the steel, which could complicate the honing procedure but on the other hand produce better shaves for tougher beard and fewer visits to hone as the edge should last longer - in theory, at least.

I would like to hear what are your opinions about stainless razors. Are stainless razors, in practise, any easier to maintain than carbon steel razors? Do I still need to wipe them completely dry after each use? Can I store them in my bathroom, so they would be at hand when I need them for my morning shave? Do they hold some other useful functionality that makes them outperform carbon steel razors by some small factor?

Perhaps a question for a different post, but which stainless razor would you buy? I've considered any of the fancy Thiers-Issard stainless, and Revisor's (only?) stainless model has catched my eye as well: 6/8. Anything good old vintage razor would do as well.

Well I think the short answer is yes, they are more stain resistant so it will be easier. Obviously anything can rust like you said but it's more forgiving.
Haven't owned a couple this was my experience. A popular vintage on the Henckel Friodur, and there are plenty around.

As far as honing, I've heard the same thing but I can't believe it can be from hardness. I've also heard the edge lasts longer but that doesn't go with conventional wisdom either. Cutting tools are made from carbon and not stainless because is the hardness you can achieve. However some newer semi stainless products are achieving very high hardnesses. Maybe the longer edge retention that people claim is due to the slower oxidation rate.
Anyway, long story short - get one!

I have two stainless razors, a Wacker and a Dovo Master's, I treat them the same as the carbon steel razors I have, that is to say, that I wipe them dry and leave them open for a few hours after I use them. I don't oil them unless they will be put away for a while (weeks).

I find that they hone and shave just the same as the carbon steel razors I have.

Give it a try.

I have a few stainless razors and like them. I treat them as I do my carbon steel razors, wipe the blade dry and between the scales and store ope for a few hours before putting away. I never oil my blades unless I go on holidays. The stainless hone and shave like the carbon ones do for me. The plus side is that stainless gives me a little more peace of mind concerning rust.

Bob

Ditto what everyone else says, except I have dessicant pouches in my razor boxes and don't bother with the oiling when I'm away (which is about 4 months a year).

My stainless razors require zero special treatment when honing.

[QUOTE=joemonco;1308681]
One thing I have noticed is the difficulty of wiping the razor clean of water after each use. Perhaps I shouldn't get the razor wet in the first place, but it annoys me to carefully dry the razor with paper or towel, put it down to dry outside the bathroom, and to carefully oil it, should it need to sit unused for a longer period. Still my razors seem to get those black spots every now and then, indicating there was - after all - moisture involved.

QUOTE]
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Do you live near the ocean where salt air is a problem? If your razors are getting black spots between shaves, you need to wipe each razor with an oily cotton cloth after each use. This practice will keep a film of oil on the surface of the steel at all times. That should be the end of your black spots. A good quality gun oil is quite sufficient for this purpose.

Originally Posted by mrsell63

Originally Posted by joemonco

One thing I have noticed is the difficulty of wiping the razor clean of water after each use. Perhaps I shouldn't get the razor wet in the first place, but it annoys me to carefully dry the razor with paper or towel, put it down to dry outside the bathroom, and to carefully oil it, should it need to sit unused for a longer period. Still my razors seem to get those black spots every now and then, indicating there was - after all - moisture involved.

__________________________________________________ ___

Do you live near the ocean where salt air is a problem? If your razors are getting black spots between shaves, you need to wipe each razor with an oily cotton cloth after each use. This practice will keep a film of oil on the surface of the steel at all times. That should be the end of your black spots. A good quality gun oil is quite sufficient for this purpose.

+1
Although I am not near the ocean Ballistol is my personal choice for this as it rinses clean with hot water.
I do give my razors that are not in the regular rotation this treatment.

[QUOTE=mrsell63;1308723]

Originally Posted by joemonco

One thing I have noticed is the difficulty of wiping the razor clean of water after each use. Perhaps I shouldn't get the razor wet in the first place, but it annoys me to carefully dry the razor with paper or towel, put it down to dry outside the bathroom, and to carefully oil it, should it need to sit unused for a longer period. Still my razors seem to get those black spots every now and then, indicating there was - after all - moisture involved.

QUOTE]
__________________________________________________ ___

Do you live near the ocean where salt air is a problem? If your razors are getting black spots between shaves, you need to wipe each razor with an oily cotton cloth after each use. This practice will keep a film of oil on the surface of the steel at all times. That should be the end of your black spots. A good quality gun oil is quite sufficient for this purpose.

I live in Southern Finland near the ocean but my understanding is that the humidity shouldn't be a problem around here at all. My description of the problem was bit inaccurate: the razors don't get black spots between shaves, but slowly during the months. And I think it's more of a problem with my laziness than anything else... Anyway, this and the other answers show that a stainless razor could make the daily routine slightly easier. Thanks for the answers this far, guys!

I have a 6/8 stainless Ralf Aust that shaves the same as my carbon steel razors. So far, I maintain them all pretty much as I do the others and see no difference in the appearance, but all are less than a year old.

I think where it may really be of benefit to have stainless is around the pivot, where you can never maintain perfect dryness.