Thread: Stainless Steel

I have read that 440 stainless should be avoided, but that there is some stainless that is nice and holds an edge for a long time without much maintenance. I was hoping someone could tell me what the "nice" stainless steel is and how to tell it apart. I recently purchased a Solingen Stainless razor and am hoping it falls in the latter category. Thanks.

Was the razor made in Solingen, or were only the scales made in Solingen?
If the razor was made there (e.g. Dovo, etc.) You got the good kind. I'm no metallurgist, but I think there is something in the cryogenic tempering process (depending on which manufacturer, it's called "Ice temper" (Dovo) "Friodur" (Henckels) etc etc)

John P.

I believe the seller said it was the same kind of stainless steel as "Friodur". So it's good? Yay!

Got a picture of the razor?


John P.

I've seen some similar razors come out of germany recently, I believe dovo made them.
If this is the case, that should be a good razor.

Originally Posted by Eleventh

Nice looking razor!
(BTW-we could've also told you you did well had we known you got it from Joe....)
None of us is going to sell you Pakistani/other junk razors except maybe to scrape gum from your shoes or with some sort of no-shave disclaimer....
John P.

Originally Posted by Eleventh

I believe the seller said it was the same kind of stainless steel as "Friodur". So it's good? Yay!

The seller (me) didn't. I said that's what I was told by the German guy I bought it from. Just clarifying. Solingen, though, like Sheffield, has steel purity laws to protect their reputations, and since there aren't that many razor manufacturers, and this one showed signs of high quality manufacturing (good, consistent grind, clean finish, nice tolerance), I'd say there's a good chance he was being straight (no pun intended) with me.

Originally Posted by Joe Chandler

The seller (me) didn't. I said that's what I was told by the German guy I bought it from. Just clarifying. Solingen, though, like Sheffield, has steel purity laws to protect their reputations, and since there aren't that many razor manufacturers, and this one showed signs of high quality manufacturing (good, consistent grind, clean finish, nice tolerance), I'd say there's a good chance he was being straight (no pun intended) with me.

Oh! Are the these Sheffield and German steel purity laws the same as the German beer purity laws - they can't put in any additives or preservatives in the steel - and no rice either! Sheffield/German steel purity laws? Do you have any references for the here-to-for unheard of Sheffield and German steel purity laws?

Originally Posted by Eleventh

I have read that 440 stainless should be avoided, but that there is some stainless that is nice and holds an edge for a long time without much maintenance. I was hoping someone could tell me what the "nice" stainless steel is and how to tell it apart. I recently purchased a Solingen Stainless razor and am hoping it falls in the latter category. Thanks.

There is actually nothing wrong with 440 stainless. 440 is used by very respectable knife manufactures ,yes I know a knife and a razor are two different things, Like Buck Knife. The problem is in the forging and tempering. Buck does not advertise that it uses 440 stainless. However, at one point it was known, therefor these second rate manufactures would advertise that they are using this great steel. This in turn has given 440 stainless a bad name. Again the true test of the steel is not entirely the chemical make up, but the heat treatment it has received.