Thread: Preferred Steel

Originally Posted by TreeBrand

I have no clue But he considered himself an expert. Hence, my placing quotes around razor expert.

There are quite a few on youtube.

Neither do I

But the first question you should have asked yourself was

"Why does this "Expert" not know that by an overwhelming majority SR's were made from, and continue to be made from, simple Carbon Steels"

Hmmmm , a razor expert that sells Simba Tec & Rough Rider Razors.

Originally Posted by Razorfaust

I work in the O.R. every day and surgical instruments are immersed in blood puss saline solutions and other bodily fluids for Hours not minutes before someone even begins to think about cleaning them. I don't know how they survive?

Well, I simply went by the following which is posted by a surgical instrument company:

A quote from spectrumsurgical regarding corrosion and stainless steel surgical tools:

Blood, pus, and other secretions contain chloride ions which lead to instrument corrosion most often appearing as dark spots. If blood is left on the instruments for any period of time (20 minutes or longer), the instrument will mark and stain, especially if these residues are allowed to dry. Therefore, always clean and dry every instrument thoroughly after use. Only sterilize a clean instrument. The most damaging procedure is to allow dried-on debris to become baked-on stains in the autoclave. The temperature of the autoclave (250°-270°) will cause chemical reactions that can make the stain permanent and cause instrument corrosion. Remember, an autoclave does not clean; it will only sterilize.

I have many knives and straights in both carbon and stainless steel. In my experience, they both can be effective at shaving and performing knife duties. However, I much prefer sharpening carbon steel. It *usually* takes a finer edge and it is almost always easier to de-burr (referring mostly to sharpening knives) over stainless.

Good Morning, gssixgun,

I like your moniker. A good six gun is a work of art. BTW, when it comes to guns, I prefer blued, carbon steel.

I am a couple levels below straight razor novice. I have no clue of what steel is used to manufacture the majority of straight razors. I've never thought about it until the "expert" said stainless steel is harder than carbon steel.

I've been giving this topic greater consideration. Good quality stainless steel is better than poor quality carbon steel. As long as good quality stainless is used for straight razor manufacture, I'd go with it not mattering, that good quality stainless steel, for all practical purposes, would shave just as great as carbon steel.

To me, shaving is a perfunctory obstacle that must be surmounted before going to work. I currently used Fusion. I have no clue of steel is used to make Fusion blades. I do know that they work. About ten years ago, my girlfriend turned me on to Fusion. She loves Fusion. She told me Fusion is the best razor she's ever used. Hence, she refuses to consider a straight razor. I love Fusion. For a cartridge razor, Fusion gives me a close shave. In ten years I'd doubt that I've Fusion cut myself 10 times.

So the practical reality is as long as steel is of good or better quality, I doubt that it'd matter whether it's stainless or carbon. After all, we're talking about cutting hair, not butchering cattle.

Originally Posted by TreeBrand

I've never thought about it until the "expert" said stainless steel is harder than carbon steel.

Funny, the things people say.

The hardest carbon steel razor I ever honed was HRC 66. Never seen a SS razor that hard.
SS is abrasion resistant making it "tough", not hard.

Originally Posted by kaptain_zero

Well, I simply went by the following which is posted by a surgical instrument company:

I'm not surprised any surgical company would say this. They cover themselves for any possible misuse of the product. 20 minutes exposure? I just cant refrain from chuckling a little. I mean clamps and retractors can stay in the body for a long long time. Not arguing with recommendations but in reality things are a little different.