Thread: getting an INOX steel blade... question.

I used to use a pair of Dovo stainless micarta handled razors exclusively ,Until I discovered SRP & now I chop &change as the mood suits.
I found the dovos to feel stiffer than their carbon brothers & when they were honed up they were great shavers that kept thier edge for quite a while

The term stainless steel is somewhat imprecise. There are several types of stainless steel.

Austenitic stainless (300 series) is the most common. It contains a maximum of 0.15% carbon and a minimum of 16% chromium. It also contains nickel and or manganese so that it will retain its crystal structure at all temperatures up to melting of the alloy. Austenitic stainless steels are what you see in kitchen flatware. They are not magnetic and are relatively soft.

Ferritic stainless steels contain 10.5-27% chromium and very little or no nickel and usually some molybdenum. They are the most corrosion resistant, but the least wear resistant.

Martensitic stainless (400 series) contain 12-14% chromium, some molybdenum and up to 1% carbon. The inclusion of carbon in the alloy allows these steels to be hardened by heat treatment, but makes them more brittle. 440 stainless is commonly used for edged blades. It can generally reach hardness levels of about 58 Rockwell C. This is less than that possible with carbon steel (typically capable of 65 Rockwell C). Martensitic stailess steels are magnetic.

There are also some precipitation hardened martinsitic steels that can be hardened to even higher strengths, rivalling or even surpassing the hardness of high carbon steel. These steels often contain substancial levels of nickel.

Most likely, your razor is made of 440 stainless. It will be somewhat softer than carbon steel, but much more corrosion resistant.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

The technique and equipment are the same. It just takes a little more time. Personally I think most people make too much out of this and make it seem like your going to spend hours longer with a stainless and thats not true. Depending on if its frozen steel or not the time will vary and you just have to try it and see how it goes for you. But if your doing like hundreds of stokes more somethings wrong.

Agree with this. Usually just adding a couple more polishing strokes to your honing regimine is very productive and consistent.

Lynn

blade came today, and I ran it over my Belgian yellow stone about 10 passes, and then stroped the heck out of it with one of Heirlooms finest horse hide and canvas strops.. it's main test will be tomorrow am when I shave.. but it sure looks nice! I lose my stainless steel virginity tomorrow.. will report back.