Thread: Stainless vs Carbon

Originally Posted by TonyFranciozi

I've never used a stainless razor so I can't comment on how well they shave. My experience with stainless knives is that they don't sharpen as easily, or take an edge as fine as their high carbon counterparts. In practice though if you keep the edge sharp you shouldn't notice any difference in shaving. You may have to touch up the edge more frequently though.

I'm in the same seat as you, my carbon knives always take a better edge.
If the stainless razors are as good, why not the stainless kitchen knives?

I've had the same experience, carbon being 'better' than stainless with pocket knives. Particularly back in the '60s and '70s. With razors I've had good luck. I don't know if it is because of the thinness of the blade, fineness of the edge, or what, but the stainless razors I've got honed up well and shave well. Maybe a few more strokes but the end result has been fine. OTOH, I still like carbon better.

Well I don't know if it means anything, but I bought a Friodur (stainless) back in 2007 I think it was. There was a small blip with it after our house cleaner decided to try stropping it while I was at work (wiped off the edge, cut up my strop... ) in around late 2007 (again, I think), where it had to be rehoned. Let's call it 2008 to be safe.

I use that Friodur on average once a month and it has never been rehoned since that date. Not even a touch up.

I quite like that razor.

YMMV.

James.

I don't doubt a stainless razor can get and hold an edge, I just find it strange so many find the difference being so big when it comes to kitchen knives.
I have to get a stainless razor for myself and try it out!
RAD in the name of science!

You know it just clouds the issue for the OP to start throwing in kitchen knives and how stainless kitchen knives may not be as good as carbon steel ones. That is without any actual experience using a stainless steel razor. It might be an apples and oranges sorta of thing and a bit of a red herring. This subject is confusing enough to begin with for a beginner, at least it was for me when I was trying to decide. In the end I bit the bullet, several times in fact, and actually bought stainless steel razors to see for myself. Luckily I was not disappointed in the performance of the stainless blades for shaving with.

Bob

Originally Posted by Lemur

I don't doubt a stainless razor can get and hold an edge, I just find it strange so many find the difference being so big when it comes to kitchen knives.
I have to get a stainless razor for myself and try it out!
RAD in the name of science!

I wonder if it's because people tend to strop and hone their razors regularly, but let their kitchen knives go?

Ahh, sorry about that!
It was not my intention to make it more confusing.
I have friends who are more than happy with their stainless razors, that's why i hold no doubt they are as good as carbon dito.

I only have one friodur and it holds an edge a bit longer than my carbons. I love it.