Thread: Stainless Spike Point

Originally Posted by PatrickS

I especially appreciate everyone's thoughts on stainless steel vs carbon. It seems that it isn't a big deal and carbon may even be superior.

I use both regular carbon steel razors and stainless steel razors and both types shave me equally well assuming equal sharpness. There is one aspect where stainless steel is definitely superior to regular carbon steel and that is it is more rust resistant. Stainless was developed for that particular reason.

Bob

Thanks again, everyone. I did hear back from Vintage Blades, and I'm pasting their response below for anyone who's curious in the future.

All our razors are sharpened by a professional to a standard far beyond the factory edge and delivered to you completely shave ready. All you need do is wipe off the protective oil and shave. Each razor upon completion of the honing process is given a test shave to ensure that it is indeed shave ready. It is then given a final strop, sterilized, oiled, and shipped backed to us for sale.

This razor fits all your criteria... If you can hunt one down.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

This razor fits all your criteria... If you can hunt one down.

Second that, they are fine shavers.

Bob

I have several stainless blades - no spikes though - mostly squares. I think the Henkles Friodur Inox is the best IMO - they can be found on the bay but you will pay for one in good condition. Filarmonica and Boker also made great stainless. The new Dovo stainless razors are not the best IMO - the steel is good but the grinds are often wacky - uneven bevels bother me for some reason. I think stainless offers a slightly different feel and does seem to hold an edge a tiny bit better but the difference is negligible. As for a point - I mute mine - if you learn on a point you will likely need to be transfused and you can cut deep enough to scar - I don't recommend it. I shave-ready straight razor cuts skin so quickly it's scary - take it slow and watch the videos!!!

-john

Stainless razor logic: stainless won't stop novice stropping from messing up an edge; and any sailor will tell you they call it "stainless" cause there's no such thing as "stainproof". I can't really say if mine stay sharper longer but I can say I wipe them dry after each shave just like a carbon steel blade and I strop them 10-12 times after each shave to protect the edge, just like a carbon steel blade.

Spanish point logic: a half-an-eyeblink lapse of attention as to where every millimeter of that blade is, esp. the LAST millimeter, will lay on a memorable cut. Equal opportunity razors, they are as likely to cut long as they are deep. I never needed a butterfly or stitches but I sure did nip my neck quite a few times with square points until I learned how to shave and keep on eye on the point at the same once. I like 'em now but, from the get go, they were a nuisance for me. YMMV.