Thread: SS or High Carbon Steel?

Really, what is the difference? Im new so I want to spend my money right. For those of you who have experience with both, please share. I have my eyes on this for now http://www.classicshaving.com/catalo...940/190273.htm
Then I will get it professionally honed to be shave-ready. Is this a good razor?

Stainless steel isn't really "stainless" it is lower maintenance, and harder.
having said that I will try to give Pros and cons on both.

Stainless
Pros: long lasting edge, less likely to rust, pit, or stain. very low maintenance.
Cons: Harder to hone, rarely as smooth as HCS, will not polish as bright as HCS

HCS (High Carbon Steel)
Pros: good edge holding ability, probably the smoothest possible shave, Can be polished to a true mirror shine
Cons: requires good maintenance, will rust or stain quickly(depending on type) softer than stainless(hardness can vary greatly), requires honing more often than stainless

anybody want to add to this?

Thanks alot. But damn, what a hard choice. The SS are more expensive too.

The razor you have your eye on is a good choice because it is an Ice Tempered SS. I would not buy a SS razor that was not Ice tempered. The Ice Tempering is a much needed last step in the heat treating process for SS.
Since I do not know anything about your beard type I would suggest going to a 6/8 instead of a 5/8.

Both steels are very good, it boils down to personal preference.


Hope this helps,

My beard is not thick or coarse. I dont have a 5 o clock shadow but I do shave daily 3 passes. So do you still recommend the SS over the HCS? Does the HCS really offer more comfortable shaves as Mike states?

Also what is silver steel from carbon steel? Can anyone add more input to the type of blades these are? Some pros and cons? thanks.

As far as I'm aware, Silver steel is a nice name for HCS, although I have had a couple of razors that would tarnish just like silver does...

As for smoothness, I can get my SS blades to shave almost as smooth as a good HCS, but it takes a lot of work, (Several hours more refining, polishing, and testing)

The difference as best I can describe it, is the SS feels sharp against your face and shaves well for a long time. HCS can feel as smooth as polished glass across your face and still shave every bit as well as the stainless razor.

With the description you have given of your beard, I would say you are lucky. Any blade, grind, or size will suit you just fine, you merely need to decide what your priorities are.
The dovo you selected will serve you very well, you will not notice the coarseness I'm describing as much, because you haven't shaved with straights before, and a M3 or DE is no comparison. (also not all HCS is as smooth as I'm describing)
Stainless is more forgiving if you don't get it completely dry, or if it is in a humid environment.
I use a stainless razor when I'm travelling, and camping, because it can handle the elements, without tarnishing or rusting. That's something I would never try with my TI.


If you are willing to be meticulous about keeping your razor dry, and clean... and you decide to lean towards HCS, you might consider a TI razor...
http://www.classicshaving.com/catalo...013/564250.htm
http://www.classicshaving.com/catalo...013/803567.htm


It is pretty rare for a straight shaver to have just one blade, My suggestion would be to get the stainless Dovo that you are looking at for your first. They have good resale if you decide you don't like it, and it will hold it's edge for a good long time. meaning it may help compensate for poor technique when you are starting out.
When you decide to add to your collection you can try HCS.
I have 3 HCS and one SS in my weekly rotation, I like them all, but the stainless is the only razor that leaves the house.

Ok that sounds better. I do like the plain blade look of the HCS
http://www.classicshaving.com/catalo...05.htm#image_1
but I think the SS is better like you say. Is that why it costs over 50% more? I see the HCS is smoother but not as forgiving. Still hard to make a choice now but I think i'll get both LOL.

So for the SS, I need to keep it dry or no? I cant understand what you mean about it, you stated not to keep it dry but then to be meticulous about keeping it dry. how do I dry it off? I live in a single apt (student) so I can leave my razor on my desk which is outside my bathroom.

As far as being meticulous, since I shave in the shower currently with an overpriced scamming M3 blade, I leave my Savile row 3122 brush on the top part of the shower near the window and I always leave my window open right near the brush so it is always dry before the next shave. I do hear that some people never get dry brushes. Well, try what I do and I dont even hang it upside down.

BTW, I cant seem to get the hang of the DE. It keeps irritating my face although Ive been exclusively shaving my stache with it. I did 1 real shave with it and it cut me up especially the area between my cheeks and chin (which i still get irritation from the M3 which i never did from the M3 turbo) and my neck. Whenever I try another shave, it just seems to sharp, I cant explain it. Its like its too sharp. I know the str8's are sharp too but I read the shaves are more comfortable and the blades are not AS sharp as a DE blade like a derby.

A member here is sending me a str8 to try out, but im not sure what kind of steel it is. And I also need to get a strop for it too. I really despise M3 and even DE.

I agree with what mike has said here so I will only add that to dry my razor I use TP to dry most of the blade and then a soft towel, laid flat, for the edge using a "stropping" motion on the towel. I do not put the razor back in the box for an hour or two and usually apply a light coat of oil before I do. Remember to remove the oil before the next shave.

Hope this helps,

This can be a confusing question - I know because I asked the exact same thing. It really is personal preference and you should try both SS and carbon steel to see what we are talking about. Personally, I like HCS better as it feels smooth and soft against my face; essentially more forgiving. While the SS is a great shaver but much more rigid and with a "harder" feel on my beard.

As for keeping them dry: unless you live in an incredibly humid climate or don't allow your bathroom to air out you should be fine. You should dry off both types of steel when you are done with them, but need to pay more attention to the HCS since it can stain and rust. Don't worry, it's not as scary as it sounds. I wipe my blades with a towel and then apply some rubbing alcohol to the blade and pivots to clean and sterilize as well as aid in drying. Then I leave my razor open sitting on a high shelf (kids) to dry for the day. I store my razors in an old cigar box that keeps the moisture away.

As Mike stated, you'll want to have more than one razor anyway, so don't fret too much. On another note, you may not want to shave with a straight in the shower. Wet hands and straight razors don't go well together - unless you are looking to get rid of a toe or two

Have fun.

Wet hands and straight razors don't go well together - unless you are looking to get rid of a toe or two

Or something else.. That's why we don't recommend shaving naked...