Thread: Carbon VS Stainless (sorry if this is beating a dead horse)

Hey fellas. I am not sure if this topic as been covered, I imagine it has, probably to despair. But can you give me the pros and/or cons in carbon vs stainless? I do know stainless is a bit harder to hone or sharpen, anything else in the shaving realm?

I prefer carbon as they are easier to maintain & hone...but stainless tends to hold an edge a little bit longer and resists rust better if you are in a damp climate...on average. I can tell very little difference between them when shaving with the ones I have.

Again, thank you very much! You the man!

+1 to everything shooter said. I prefer carbon personally. If you thoroughly dry the blade after each shave and occasionally apply oil either material should stay corrosion free.

If I could get a razor in any material, heat treated for optimal performance, I'd probably choose a stainless like 13c26. If I were going with a generic maker with unknown skills, I'd probably lean toward simple steels. If the maker were competent and preferred a specific steel for her/his blades, I'd try to trust her/his judgment. Sometimes gauge a person's understanding of steel by how they regard stainless steels. Broad sweeping conclusions about the "carbon-stainless" dichotomy raise warning flags in my head.

If it were a factory piece of unknown specification, I'd lean more toward the nonstainless blade for safety, unless the stainless had a good reputation. In that case, my choice would be informed by price, appearance, &c.