Thread: I know this is asked a million times, but can anyone...

...recommend a good, new 7/8 full hollow?

I've been getting the best shaves of my life with a Henckels-Friodur 7/8 I got around xmas, but the SRAD is biting again. I want....more!

From what I understand about steel, most people seem to think you can get the best edge from carbon steel but it needs honing more often, yes? While stainless will hold it's edge for longer, but might not take as good an edge as carbon steel? And what is Sheffield Silver Steel? How does it compare to regular carbon or stainless?

I've been looking at Raph Aust or TI razors. What type of steel are these? Opinions on either manufacturer?

Any others I should consider?

Originally Posted by supersco

From what I understand about steel, most people seem to think you can get the best edge from carbon steel but it needs honing more often, yes? While stainless will hold it's edge for longer, but might not take as good an edge as carbon steel? And what is Sheffield Silver Steel? How does it compare to regular carbon or stainless?

Badly heat treated stainless is a pita but so is carbon steel. Longevity of edge is more governed by user & maintenance. Sharpness is up to the honer .

Vintage silver steel may have a tad silver in it or it may not. Marketing was not so strictly controlled back then. It will not have any real world impact on the razor or it's use.
Other elements like vanadium or chromium can make a considerable difference to the steel eg chromium adds the "stainlessness" to steel.

revisor has a bunch that fit the description.
Rasiermesser

In theory carbon steel should be able to take a finer edge than a stainless steel blade and while I have very little experience with razors I have sharpened hundreds of knives and can say without question every single carbon steel blade I have sharpened has taken a fantastic edge. I can't say the same for the stainless steel blades.

The problem is that there are so many different stainless steels available that it would be wrong and indeed inaccurate to say carbon steel takes a better edge than stainless. I am not sure what stainless razors are made from, I think IIT is Swedish(I am certain one of the knowledgeable people here will know for sure) and if it is then that stuff can take an amazing edge. Personally I would love to try a razor made from zdp189 or one of the new powdered steels