Thread: Stainless or Carbon

Hi all. I have been wondering the difference between stainless and carbon steel. What i am wondering about is the quality of the shave? Is there a big difference? I'm new to this, I just now am shaving regularly without having to touch up with DE. Thanks.

Don't own a stainless. Carbon works great for me.

Even my pocket knives are carbon steel. GOt some stainless knives. They work too, but carbon steel is my preference.

My Colt Commander that I carry every day is stainless.

Let me preface with I do not own a SS razor, but I have heard there is not a major difference feel wise. SS on the other hand is more corrosion resistant and will also take a few more strokes to hone up vs carbon steel. As for edge retention I honestly don't know. I have read arguments that say SS holds an edge better but others that say either steel will have same edge retention. I am sure its far more complicated than just SS vs. Carbon for edge retention; things like tempering and steel type variants come into play there as well. I am sure an expert will weigh in shortly. I hope to grab a SS blade soon, but it is not something seen often in cheap vintage razors.

I would say there is a somewhat distinctive feel, having had one of the Dovos & now loving the Friodur. Just from the variety of different preferences, certainly some will not like the feel, but I do. The Dovo actually made me want the Friodur, which I bought from a member here. I'd do it again - and will likely get another.

I have and use both types of razors. In use I don't find a whole lot of difference between the two types. They hone up very similarly too for me. Stainless is a little more rust resistant and that can be a benefit in humid environments. That said I do like my stainless blades for some unknown reason.

Bob

Just my take, back in the '60s and '70s stainless pocket knives were harder to sharpen, did not hold an edge as well IME. So I developed a dislike for stainless. Razors from that era seemed to be a different animal, not displaying those characteristics. Fast forward a couple of decades and stainless pocket knives dominate the scene, and have vastly improved in their edge holding ability.

Whether vintage or current, I've had nothing but good luck with a variety of stainless razors. I still have mostly carbon, but the half dozen or so stainless razors I've got all shave equally well. I think if it is from a known quality maker, honed and maintained properly, one is as good as the other.

I have both types and I prefer the stainless. IMO stainless is a bit harder to dial in on the hones, where carbon seems to fall in place for me. Stainless seems to hold it's edge better and need less touch ups .

All honed by the same guy? Also different razors have different feels and need different techniques at times. I prefer the feel of heavy grinds myself.

Saying "carbon" vs "stainless" is kind of like saying Ford vs Chevy. There are many different types of both "stainless" and non-stainless. There are too many factors as others have already mentioned to say that one is better than the other. Basic "carbon" steel is iron with .5% to 1% carbon added to it. This allows it to be heat treated so it will hold an edge and be flexible. It also gets a very fine (thin) edge relatively easily. As other elements are added to the steel they can change the way it behaves. For instance if they add about 13% chromium, they then call it "stainless" as it resists corrosion quite well. The chromium also increases the wear resistance which can make it hard to sharpen and can also increase its ability to hold an edge. There are endless possibilities, but as already mentioned, other things can have an even greater impact on performance such as grind and heat treatment.

Yup, Stainless steel simply has Chromium added to the steel for corrosion resistance. Tool steel is also higher in chromium but not high enough to make it stainless. Now also keep in mind the name, it is Stain Less steel, not no stain or no corrosion. Under the right conditions will stain/corrode. Most stainless is softer on the Rockwell hardness scale than carbon steel and it tends to take a less keen edge. The key is how it is tempered. The good stuff is ice or cryogenic hardened. Most of my stainless knifes are cryo hardened and have a 58-62 hardness.

I have both, and as long as it is a properly treated stainless it will give you a good shave. As others have noted they can tend to take a few more passes on the hone but tend to hold their edge better. Now is that the hardness of the blade or simply because the steel does not oxidize like carbon steel so the edge stays fresher longer, I dont know. You will get a good shave from either and if you live in a high humidity location or do something silly like keep your blades in the bathroom where they get steamy and stay damp then stainless would be a very good option.