Thread: Oldest stainless razors?

Hi folks! I am just a bit curious about when the first stainless straight razors were made. Also, feel free to brag about your antique stainless razor. I only have a relatively new Dovo myself. Is the Dubl Duck Stainless any good?

Like all Ducks the stainless is a great razor. I have one myself.

Most stainless razors are from the 1960s though some were made earlier.

I have a stainless steel razor that I believe was made pre WWII. I was lucky enough to pick up a second one too.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/show-...berson-co.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_...tainless_steel

Bob

I think it is safe to say that there are none before 1900.
Possibly the oldest would be 1911 by Elwood Haynes who was tired of his razors rusting and starting playing with SS specifically for razors.

Originally Posted by criswilson10

I think it is safe to say that there are none before 1900.
Possibly the oldest would be 1911 by Elwood Haynes who was tired of his razors rusting and starting playing with SS specifically for razors.

Interesting. Thanks for the info!

George Ibberson's Sheffield are the only old vintage stainless I've seen, guessing 1920's. There could be others. Stainless steel was discovered in Sheffield in 1913 by Harry Brearley.
SGMT - Harry Brearley: The man who discovered stainless steel

Here is an interesting take on who invented stainless steel.

When was stainless steel discovered?-Jaway Steel Corporation

The oldest "production" stainless steel razors that I have seen are the George Ibberson ones made of Firth stainless steel. The two I have take a fine edge and shave well. Then again so do all the other stainless steel razors that I have.

Bob

Thanks Bob! That is the first time that I have seen an article that really partially uncovers the subject beyond the much later claimants.
~Richard

Originally Posted by Geezer

Thanks Bob! That is the first time that I have seen an article that really partially uncovers the subject beyond the much later claimants.
~Richard

You are welcome. I have come to the conclusion that about the only thing definite you can say about the origins of stainless steel is that it is about 100+ years old.

Bob

You have to be careful cause there really is no such thing as "stainless Steel". It's really a series between Nickel Steel and Chrome Steel and can have all kinds of trace materials in it so I would guess the stuff from 1910 is radically different from the stuff from the 1960s.

It's kind of like years ago people referred to their refrigerator as a "frigidaire" even though that's a brand only.