Thread: Stainless Steel Razors

Originally Posted by Bruce

As I've noted elsewhere, I have become a great Friodur afficionado. I bought one from John Crowley's The Shaving Shop a while ago, honed it, stropped it, and shaved with it. Stropped it and shaved with it. Did that same routine several times. What piqued my curiosity was that the shaves started out good, very good and got better. I have no razors which will out shave them for either closeness or comfort.

I even got a couple more - they are in my travel kit. I've always been a believer in "if something works well, you need at least a couple more of them just in case something out there starts to bollix up the works" or, if you've got a good AD going it won't be too long before it becomes an AAAAAAAAAD.

Stainless steel razors tend to be a bit softer than the hardened to the max carbon steel razors, but are also quite wear resistant from the extra chromium, so they have different honing characteristics. My theory is that once a stainless steel razor is sharp it can respond better to the linen and leather stropping regimens to maintain that sharpness. Mine haven't needed a hone or pasted paddle touch up for a long time and continue to shave smoothly.

Hyper thesis - hypo thesis? Hype or just a pile? Dunno, but it sounds good to my ears so I'm sticking with it.

Do you mind if I ask which friodur you have?

I've been trying on eBay to score a 7/8 or6/8 but keep loosing out last minute.

It seems like i am the only Person who has different opinion on this issue.
I do Believe SS STEEL blade will not get as sharp as carbon steel blades.
This is my Personal opinion.
This doesn't mean SS blade will not get sharp enough to get comfortable shave . It can be done very easily.
i have and honed some SS blades. i was never able to get edge what i like from them.
Edge gets sharp enough to give you ok shave but not the wonderful shave which some people looks for.
Just my 0.2 cent.

It's mostly a matter of honing skills. I have a two Friodurs that are as sharp as anything else I've ever seen. Coticule edges, mind you.

Originally Posted by Bruce

I even got a couple more - they are in my travel kit. I've always been a believer in "if something works well, you need at least a couple more of them just in case something out there starts to bollix up the works" or, if you've got a good AD going it won't be too long before it becomes an AAAAAAAAAD.

Thanks Bruce

Originally Posted by BeBerlin

It's mostly a matter of honing skills. I have a two Friodurs that are as sharp as anything else I've ever seen. Coticule edges, mind you.

Coticule edges will never get sharp enough to satisfy me. I can't say about you.

Anyone able to recomend a honemeister in the Toronto area? Or ever somehwre close to the border in the states.

I was gonna say that if you guys wanted I could pass the razor around to people interested in trying out the new henckels but no idea how that would turn out.

Hi,
I have one of the newer Friodor 7/8 Stainless. It came needing a little work on the blade edge, and was a bit more time consuming to get ready to shave. But now that it is in good working order - shave ready - she performs beautifully. Smooth and as close as any other razor in my collection.

Give it the attention it needs and you will be happy with it.

Thanks,

Originally Posted by basil

Do you mind if I ask which friodur you have?

I've been trying on eBay to score a 7/8 or6/8 but keep loosing out last minute.

basil,

I don't know the nitty gritties and numbers specifics, but look at John Crowley's site: Shaving Shop - luxury classic wet shaving products - straight razors and look at the stain resistant razors, 7/8, Friodur - just in case there are any left after my predations.

I own a number of razors that I have purchased from J. Crowley and they are top notch shavers...I do own two stainless steel Friodurs 7/8 and 8/8 size blades and can not find any difference between SS and carbon.

Hi,
I have the 7/8 J A Henckels Spike point with wood handles. I purchased it on ebay from the the knifecorner. Item number:390166097013

Thanks,
Steve