Stainless Spike Point

Hi, everyone, I'm looking to buy my first straight razor and would like a spike point for precision and stainless for its ability to keep an edge. However, I'm having trouble finding a spike point made of stainless. The only spike point I've found is this Dovo: Dovo Spike Point Ebony, Full Hollow Carbon Steel, 5/8" | RoyalShave, and it's made of carbon steel.

The reason I want stainless is that I sharpen my own knives and can get the edges decently sharp but know I'm not great at it. On top of that, I don't have the sharpening stones necessary to use on a fine blade like a straight razor (as opposed to my pocket and kitchen knives). Therefore, I'll likely send my razor out to be honed when necessary and would like the edge to last as long as possible.

So I have two questions. First, does anyone know of anywhere I might be able to find a spike point stainless razor? Second, do you agree with my logic on looking for a stainless razor?

Thanks in advance.
-Patrick

I'm not sure that a spike point is the best place to start. I have been at it a while and I still don't like those things. I have a few and always mute the point to prevent it from blood letting. Perhaps you might want square point instead, a very similar look without the point being lethal. To each there own though. As far as stainless razor go there are a few still being made.

My take is, you live what you learn. In other words, if you go through your learning curve with a dangerous aspect your don't know it's that much more dangerous. I mostly use square points and although I muted the first one the rest are square as can be. I miss them when I use a round point and I don't really need the square that much. It is however, safer for the average guy to start with a round point.
I think a better thought for you would be get 2 razors so you can keep shaving while the other is out. I don't know that stainless is going to make that big of a difference especially while your learning. That and everybody says they are only going to get an use 1 to save money. The reality is your not only starting on a new shave adventure but headed towards the possibility of a new hobby :<0) GOT RAD? HAD? you'll be lucky if you don't.

Your spike = square according to the picture.

Let me answer your second question: no I think you want carbon, or at least I always do. I mute my sqares, so I suggest you do what you like..

I have quite a few spikes (none muted). You will learn light pressure and to feel the balance of weight across the edge of the blade from using one and pay for your mistakes in blood. As to starting off with one, I have mixed feelings about it. A square point will get you very close to the individual whisker potential while being much more forgiving (especially as you learn all the rest of the parts of a decent shave).

I have a number of SS razors. I don't really notice that they outlast the others in my rotation. They all get the same treatment and I don't have issues with corrosion on any of them. Restricting your selection to SS only will greatly reduce your choices though.

Incidentally, I have zero SS spikes...three SS Spanish points, one square and one round.

You'll learn quick to stay off the point while shaving.

Learn to shave with a spike, and no razor will intimidate you. I wouldn't worry too much about stainless vs carbon though. Get a quality razor and take care of it.

I learned on a spike.
Yes I sliced myself once or twice but now I don't fear them.
Just have to know where the point is...if not it WILL remind you quickly... :tameshigiri:

Thanks, everyone, for your help so far!

Splashone, I laughed outloud when I read this. I love the way you phrased this.

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Originally Posted by Splashone

You will learn light pressure and to feel the balance of weight across the edge of the blade from using one and pay for your mistakes in blood.

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I imagine I will pay in blood, but I tend to like learning things the hard way the first time around, like starting with a manual transmission when learning how to drive. I lean more towards agreeing with robellison01 and Chevhead.

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. So I think I'll go with this razor, but 10Pups, you say that razor looks like a square point to you? What makes you say that? It looks like the angle can't get much closer to 90 degrees. Can anyone else provide an opinion on this?

Oh, and also, this is kind of unrelated to the original questions, but does anyone know if Vintage Blades LLC puts a shave-ready hone on their razors, on top of the "shave ready" hone that Dovo claims comes from the factory? I read on a separate post that Lynn Abrams does the honing for Vintage Blades. That made me think their razors may be legitimately shave ready, but I wanted to make sure.

I wouldn't say that either carbon or stainless is superior. There are many variations on both, and so I don't know how a comparison could be made.

I understand your desire to have a razor with an edge that will hold up for as long as possible, but I don't think stainless vs carbon is what matters there. In my experience, a good razor with a harder steel will hold it's edge longer. However, be aware that when you are new, there is an increased chance your edges will become more dull more rapidly, not as a result of "normal shaving," but as a result of your developing shaving and stropping technique.

If I were you, I would get two razors to start (so you'll have a second if you need to send one out), and worry about picking out a single razor you'll love sometime in the future. You should be able to find two very good razors for less than half the price of the one you linked to.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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Originally Posted by onimaru55

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

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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.