Thread: I need helping choosing an SS blade STAT!

So I'm currently moving into my Frat and it hit me that conditions won't be perfect for maintaining razors. It's still doable, but much harder when you have to walk to the bathroom to shave, then there is only a tiny amount of counterspace, then you have to deal with drunk brothers... anyway.

Bottom line is, I need one (or two if I need to alternate, but I've heard SS can be tough) WORKHORSE stainless razors. I'll still use all my razors on weekends and when I have time but I need something I can grab and go and not worry too much about (I'll still baby it though...)

I looked at the new Dovo's but at that price I may as well get a nice rescale of a vintage or bid higher than usual on ebay. There's obviously Friodurs which I will probably be sniping at, but does anyone know of any readily available SS vintage blades? By readily available I mean I have a reasonable chance of grabbing one within a couple weeks. Also, I seem to remember Wapi's as being stainless, but I'm 50/50- maybe I'm being an idiot. Can someone quickly clarify?

Thanks!

Here's a page of SS razors.

Stain Resistant Razors

Also you might want to check out the SS Solingen (RP5S). I have the carbon steel flavour and love it.

RasurPur Online Shop

HTH

I saw both of those. I am currently leaning either towards the Dovo SS Ebony or the cracked-ice one at shave shop, but wanted to check if there are consistent, easily available vintage blades first (a la Friodur).

The Dovo 41 blades have the reputation of being very nice shavers.

Tough choices. Good Luck.

Lynn

Thanks Lynn. Seeing as you carrying a million Dovo's, which blade is used in the _____wood series (ie. desert ironwood, snakewood, etc.)?

The Dovo Renaissance is also a top-notch shaver, and it's a 6/8. The unique rounded toe and heel make it quite forgiving for after you've had a rough night playing beer pong, or whatever it is you guys do at a frat...

EDIT: BTW, Wapis have stainless scales, but the blade itself is HCS.

I'm curious as to why you think a stainless steel razor is qoing to require less day to day care than a carbon steel one. True, the blade will be less prone to oxidation, but that should not be a problem with carbon steel if you dry it well after use. But, the SS blade will still need to be stropped, and honed just like a carbon steel one. In fact, since the most common stainless used for razors (440C) is slightly less hard than carbon steel, it may actually require more frequent honing (probably not so as you would notice it though).

Originally Posted by fccexpert

I'm curious as to why you think a stainless steel razor is qoing to require less day to day care than a carbon steel one. True, the blade will be less prone to oxidation, but that should not be a problem with carbon steel if you dry it well after use. But, the SS blade will still need to be stropped, and honed just like a carbon steel one. In fact, since the most common stainless used for razors (440C) is slightly less hard than carbon steel, it may actually require more frequent honing (probably not so as you would notice it though).

I personally like stainless, as you don't have to be quite as fastidious as you do with HCS. Just wipe it down, never need to worry about oiling it, etc.

My experience would seem to show that stainless may actually have better edge retention longevity than HCS. It may not be as hard on the Rockwell scale, but it has definitely got greater wear resistance (I know through personal experience when modifying stainless razors, they are noticeably more resistant to the grindstones).

I think stainless is a good choice for the environment Khaos is proposing to use it in.

I seem to remember having this discussion with a steel smith- that hardness and tenacity are two different values. I feel like while stainless is slightly less hard, it is far more durable but please someone correct me if i am wrong.

And the moisture thing is a big factor. Rather than wiping it down very carefully and setting it out and open to dry, then oiling it when I get a chance before I put it away. This is asking for trouble in a frat. I just want somethign I can give a quick wipe and put away. The stropping is not a problem. Its when I have to get hones out or have multiple strops for pastes etc. I'm trying to eliminate the clutter. One or two razors, a brush, a tub of cream and a strop. I will be bringing my hones and all my razors and stuff with me, but I want to keep them in a drawer/storage so they are out of the way/safe. I'll dig them out on weekends and stuff but like, on mornings where I have practice at 7 am and class at 9am I just need to get in and get out ASAP.

WHy not the hoffritz? doesn't say stainless or advertise as being stainless so.... I'm a skeptic

Seraphim you beat me too it! I think its got to do with the elasticity of the steel and what not. So rather than microscopically chipping/bending, the stainless is more able to absorb the force of shavign and bounce back. I could be wrong though, but I do know that hardness and tenacity are different properties, just like tensile and compressive strength are different too. Steel has tons of properties, so within one type of steel, hardness corresponds to sharpness, but between different types it varies non-linearly depending on the steel composition.