Carbon content dilema (advice needed)

[Hassy]

Hi all,

I am a University student studying at the University of Melbourne and am looking to start my own online business selling straight razors. I am in the process of trying to lock down a supplier for the stainless steel used to make straight razors, but am having trouble deciding what kind of metal to use. Hence, I thought I would make a post here since you guys are clearly experts on the matter of straight razors!
I guess my main confusion is in regards to carbon content. At the moment I'm considering manufacturing the blades using 304 grade stainless steel which has a maximum of 0.07% carbon content but I hesitate to commit because I'm afraid a low carbon content might sacrifice the integrity of the blade. So my question is, how much carbon is typically suitable in a straight razor? Are straight razors made without carbon?

Thanks a lot for your help!

[onimaru55]

Hi Hassy . Just a friendly warning that market research is not allowed, however I can tell you that Henckels Friodurs are made with 440C & ice tempered so if you can master that process & pull apart & re assemble a few hundred vintage razors you may be on the right path. I'm not a smith but I don't think 304 would cut it.

[Kees]

Looks to me like excellent advice. Friodurs are very good razors. I have a modern and an older one: both great shavers, still being manufactured AFAIK.

[kelbro]

The Workshop forum on this site would be the place to ask for advice regarding steels. Lots of knowledgeable folks there.

The Workshop

[RezDog]

Looks to me like excellent advice. Friodurs are very good razors. I have a modern and an older one: both great shavers, still being manufactured AFAIK.

JA Henckels still has production but they stopped producing razors around 1990.

[RayClem]

You need to do some research in metallurgy before trying to get into the straight razor business.

The 300 stainless series such as 304, 308, and 316 are designed with high amounts of chromium and nickel to provide good corrosion resistance. Thus, they are the steels of choice for stainless steel utensils, pot and pans, etc. However, these steels do not take or hold an edge effectively, so they are poor choices for knives and razors.

Many knives and most razors are made from carbon steel (non-stainless) such as 1095, C100, C115, 52100, O1, etc.

There are razors made from semi-stainless steels that have more chromium then carbon steel, but do not have the requisite 13% chromium for a true stainless steel. An example of a semi-stainless steel is D2 with 11-13% chromium.

Stainless steel knives and razors are generally made from 400 series stainless steel or equivalent. Buck Knives are now made from 420HC which is a modifiedl high-carbon version of 420 stainless.

Many inexpensive knives are made of 440A steel or equivalent. Chinese knives are often made with 7CR17MoV stainless which is a modified version of 440A. They have good corrosion resistance and sharpen easily, but do not hold an edge particularly well, so they need frequent resharpening. Some inexpensive razors (China, Pmight be made from this steel.

The next step up is 440B steel. The Japanese version is known as AUS-8 which is a well known knife steel. The Chinese equivalent is 8CR13MoV. Knives made from these steels are harder to sharpen, but hold their edge well. I do not know if anyone makes razors from these steels. It is often used for scissors and barber tools.

There is also Sandvik 13C26 also known as Swedish razor stainless steel. It has 13% chromium. It was designed specifically for razors.


The steel used for surgical instruments such as scalpels is 440C, often known as surgical stainless for its ability to take and hold an edge. It is the steel that Buck used for its vintage knives, but some customers complained of difficulty in sharpening these knives, so they now use 420HC. However, if you are going to make a stainless razor that will take and hold edge, 440C or equivalents such as Japanese AUS-10 steel and Chinese 9Cr18MoV would be good choices.

When producing a knife or razor, the type of steel used is important. However, the tempering/heat treating/hardening process is equally important, perhaps even more so. You can take a great steel, but if it is not properly hardened, it will make a lousy razor.

[Utopian]

Are straight razors made without carbon?

This makes me think that you might not be ready to consider such a business. Do you plan on making the razors yourself? Do you have any experience making any other blades?

[randydance062449]

If I were to find out that you had made a razor from your suggested steel and were offering it for sale, I would warn the world of the poor quality.

You have a lot of research to do. A lot of knowledge to acquire. A lot of practice will be necessary.
This is not an easy task, many others have tried and failed.

[Butzy]

At the moment I'm considering manufacturing the blades using 304 grade stainless steel which has a maximum of 0.07% carbon content but I hesitate to commit because I'm afraid a low carbon content might sacrifice the integrity of the blade.

Hey Hassy, 304 is not going to be a good steel to make your razors with, regardless of heat treating they will never hold an edge for long enough to keep your customers happy. I worked extensively with 304 in my previous job and while it has some wonderful qualities in terms of manufacturing and chemical and oxidation resistance, it's much softer than a lot of SS and certainly most of the carbon steels out there. I would highly recommend not using this steel for razors as it will just let your customers down, and this is your reputation on the line.
One of the few times i'm going to offer advice here, as i am still learning all about wet shaving, but steel type and 304 in particular is something i have extensive knowledge about. Find a different material for your blanks would be my advice.
as always, just one man's opinion

[tcrideshd]

might want to learn to use and maintain a razor to find out what you are trying to sell. the knowledge gained will help you build a decent razor. just from your thought on steel really shows your not even in the ballpark. cause if you cant shave with one, who will trust your razors?, now if your just wanting to build letter openers, go for it Tc