Thread: Stainless steel vs carbon blade?

Hey guys! I can't decide whether to buy a stainless razor or carbon. I feel that the stainless would hold up better and last longer. Any opinions? I am aware of the extra patience needed when honing and stropping a stainless. Also, if I am buying a new Dovo, what hone should I buy to start off with? Basically which one would be a good first sharpen and touch up down the road? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated! Here's to great shaves! Jeremy-

Welcome to SRP Jeremy. I don't have experience with stainless blades, both of mine are carbon, but I haven't had any problems so far. I think the main appeal with the stainless is the no-rust factor (and supposedly they go a little longer without a honing), but I have yet to see a spot of rust on my carbons. Just a little mineral oil and they're good to go. I'm sure some others will chime in soon.

Ryan

I think the stainless steel will, indeed hold up longer, and hold a shine with less effort -- but (speaking generally) they're much harder to sharpen and to maintain. Carbon steel is *usually* easier to maintain, but not always. Were it me, I'd go with the carbon steel -- but I like carbon steel chefs knives as well, which is kind of old school.

cass

There is just not enough difference on honing and stropping to really be a factor....
I would also hold off on a hone until you have a little more experience, then decide which direction you you are going to go with your razor collection...

Please, Please save your sanity AND ORDER WITH IT HONED TO SHAVE READY!!!!!!

I have many carbons and 1 stainless Henckels the Henckels happends to be my best. I dont think "mine" is much harder to hone than carbon. I havent honed it since early oct thats what I like and its still sticky sharp. But like gssixgun says I too started off with carbon and he knows a hella lot more than me so take his advise!

Matt

Originally Posted by cassady

I think the stainless steel will, indeed hold up longer, and hold a shine with less effort -- but (speaking generally) they're much harder to sharpen and to maintain. Carbon steel is *usually* softer and easier to maintain, but not always. Were it me, I'd go with the carbon steel -- but I like carbon steel chefs knives as well, which is kind of old school.

cass

No, carbon steel is not softer, it is harder (unless you have a blade made from one of the new powder technology alloys). Most stainless steel blades are nothing more than one of the martinsitic alloys, usually 421, these are significantly softer than any quality carbon steel.

In my limited experience, I haven't been able to get a stainless blade to shave as smoothly or silkily(is that a word?) as a good carbon blade. But hey, that's just me.

Jordan

It is a hard choice. Since I hurry out of the bathroom I use a stainless.

Thanks guys for the advice so far! I guess I'll just have to buy, try and find out which I prefer personally.

when i make a SS blade its cpm154 and i heat treat to 62 -63 hardness with a computer controlled kiln and Ln2 cryo there seems to be less call for SS razors tho so i have only made a few
BTW the cpm154 and heat treat i use i also do for my kitchen knives and the feed back is that the blades are not bad to sharpen adn that they hold an edge great