Thread: Stainless Steel vs. Carbon Steel

I have both, more carbon than stainless but I like both equally well.

Yeah, as was said above, 'Good steel is good steel'. I have many more Carbon than Stainless but that is only because they're easier to find and flea-markets and the like.

stainless is harder to hone than carbon but stay longer.

So would it be safe to say that a $200 investment on a Dovo Stainless steel is a good start?

Originally Posted by Mando23

So would it be safe to say that a $200 investment on a Dovo Stainless steel is a good start?

You are new to straight razors? I was a complete newbie a few years back, so I still remember it well

My advice: go with a DOVO 'Best Quality' razor unless you know you want something fancy. Make sure you get it shave ready.

The reasons:
1. It's cheap.
2. The German-made blade is really good, to my face it seems to be better than some of the more expensive ones
3. The carbon steel responds quickly to stropping, and my Best Quality responds very well to the canvas strop. When you're doing it right, you'll know it.

This also means that you will learn faster. By the way, the canvas strop? Highly recommended.

Well, this has been my experience anyway

$200 is a plenty of money for a razor. I think you can buy two off of SRP classifieds and get some decent razors.

Lots of great choices!

Pabster

I know it is difficult go know what you are looking at when you are on the classifieds but there are some excellent razors for sale for far less than $200. Robert Williams was selling some Kobars a while back and I think I paid about $100. Amazing shaver!

I find carbon far easier to hone than stainless blades. I, personally, do not find stainless capable of obtaining the keenness that I get from carbon steel. I know that this not a popular view but a far larger number would agree that carbon is easier to hone. Since honing is such an integral part of us0ing a straight shaving go with a quality carbon blade. Just my humble opinion.


Take Care,
Richard