Thread: carbon or stainless, any thoughts?

I have a dovo SS and it's a mighty fine razor. It holds an edge very nicely and needs almost no maintenance whatsoever.

I haven't tried as many razors as some of you, but FWIW...I've had three different vintage Friodurs - different sizes, differents designs, etc I and was never able to get the same level of silky smoothness that I get from my best shaving HC blades. They were middle of the pack. But that's just me. YMMV You should try them all and see what you experience

Jordan

Have you met the Dancing Twins?

Beware of the Boker Brotherhood!

Originally Posted by Bladerunner

Beware of the Boker Brotherhood!

I've heard those guys are a bunch of Dorkos!

Originally Posted by Seraphim

I've heard those guys are a bunch of Dorkos!

With a vivid history.

Originally Posted by Seraphim

I've heard those guys are a bunch of Dorkos!

Good one

Originally Posted by fccexpert

Cargon steel is my preference for all edged tools. Its primary advantage is that it is harder and thus holds an edge much better. It is also easier to sharpen because it is nongalling.

Stainless steels are resistant to oxidation, and thus require less maintenance, but they are not as hard as carbon steel and thus will not hold an edge for as long. Stainless steels are also galling in nature, making them harder to sharpen. Martinsitic stainless steels Itypicall type 440 or some of its modifications) can be used to make good razors, they are almost as hard as high quality carbon steel so they will have acceptable edge holding qualities. They are, however, still prone to galling making honing a bit more difficult. Martinsitic stainless steels are, by the way, magnetic where as the softer austenitic stainless steels are not.

Personally, I have had no problems with oxidation of my carbon steel tools. They do, however, take on a grey patina over time (except for the edges which are refreshed periodically). This is actually a form of oxidation, but it is protective, and not undesirable. Stainless steels will generally remain bright without any polishing (unless they get really hot, in which case they turn a dark brown).

Your knowledge of metals is obviously grater than mine, but my understanding was that carbon steels are softer than stainless and therefore stronger. I also understood that stainless was a lot harder and more brittle.
I accept that my understanding of metals is very simplistic, so I won't be offended if anyone corrects any misunderstandings I may have.

Originally Posted by ndw76

Your knowledge of metals is obviously grater than mine, but my understanding was that carbon steels are softer than stainless and therefore stronger. I also understood that stainless was a lot harder and more brittle.
I accept that my understanding of metals is very simplistic, so I won't be offended if anyone corrects any misunderstandings I may have.

I'm no expert but ......... I do know that stainless is generally more abrasion resistant. That is one of the characteristics that gives it the reputation for being more difficult to hone to a shaving edge. I am pretty sure hardness is determined by the specific alloys in the steel be it carbon or stainless and by the heat treating and tempering. I could be wrong. I was wrong once before.

Pardon me, I know it has been covered already but the internet is for bad opinions and porn.
Every Carbon steel knife ever owned has far out performed it stainless brothers. The only advantage that I can endorse for stainless is the corrosion resistance.
On a different note, the Hippie in me says a vintage razor is the "greener" way to go. Many of those are going to be carbon steel plus have the tie to the past many of us seek.