Thread: Stainless blades

I picked up my first stainless steel straight. Dovo en vogue, I think it is, with the zebra/damascus looking blade. Took longer obviously to get a really nice edge. But it came around and popped hanging hair easily, and ran great across the finger nail. Ok, time to shave and what a different feel from the start. I can really notice just how stiff the blade is. Actually not pleasant. Shave easily, clean after one pass, but a harsh fell to it. Only shaved twice with it twice, so I will give some more time.

Any one else get this sort of feed back from their stainless? Any suggestions? Yes I know I could get rid of it. My collection is pushing beyond.. Should I expect this response from all stainless razors?

Charlie in Reno

Originally Posted by Cgm

Any one else get this sort of feed back from their stainless? Should I expect this response from all stainless razors?

No, but you can expect a less than stellar shave from dragging a shave ready edge across your thumbnail. The TNT is meant for the bevel setting stage and that's it. You'll ruin a fine edge by doing it further down the honing progression. Before getting rid of the razor I'd suggest rehoning the Dovo back to it's full potential and you'll likely find it more to your liking.

Funny,

That is actually what I am doing. I will give it another swing tonight. Maybe ot is just me, but the blade felt real hard against the face too. Trust me, I have a few shaves behind me a straight. And I know stainless is harder then the carbon, but did not imagine I would feel it on my face. Tonight will be the test with a very sharp blade. My scope does not lie about the edge.

Cgm, Reno

Another thing that might have happened is the blade was not quite dialed in even though it was passing the HHT

As far as shaving goes you should not be able to feel any difference between a stainless blade and a carbon steel. if you do the stainless is not shave ready. A harsh feeling is a common clue something is amiss with the blade.

I started with a stainless steel Dovo and now have over 10 shavers in the rotation. What I find with the stainless steel is that they like finishers more than the carbon steel. I can feel more of a difference between them from the 16K shapton trough CBN & diamond spray progression. The Carbons improve very little after the 16k, the stainless enough to not want to shave until they are dialed in with the sprays. After that, they give good comfortable shaves. What I like about the stainless steel blades ( and planning on getting more) is that they don't improve much on the pre stropping routine, like the carbons, even after weeks of no use.
Take a carbon after 30 days of just sitting there shave half a cheek without stropping, strop, now shave the other half. I notice a very distinct difference, specially on the Westolholm I have tried it on. Do the same with my Dovo stainless and there is a "maybe" perceive slight improvement. The Dovo is my go to when I want to cut time on the pre strop routine.
Having said that, my most comfortable shaves comes from the Westolholm (carbon steel).

Double O

Theoretically the stainless and carbon equivalent in terms of edge potential. When dialed in properly, there really should be no difference between them. However, with that said, I own both types and consider the stainless a bit more of a challenge to reach full potential. This usually means a bit more time on the stones, the CrO, and the leather than would be required with carbon. This is only anecdotal experience; but, I think is is consistent with what others on this forum have reported. My preference is carbon steel. So much for theories.

Hey all,

Glad to report that once the stainless was honed good, then stropped on a few different grades and it shaved great. And the thing of it is, I think I can better the blade even more. So it has won a spot on my team of 70+ razors, (still growing). And yes one of my best is all so a wosten plain jane. When I use it I have to reach up and check my face to verify that it is cutting because I feel absolutely nothing, it is that smooth. I have a meat cleaver wade butcher for barbers use that is totally mint and it also shaves with out any effort. I got a steal on it, grouped with 3 other razors also in great shape all for $30 bucks at a gun show.

I love collecting more and more, but I have spent some greenbacks in the process. Hell, there won't be a armored truck at my funeral!

I've wanted to try a stainless blade for some time. I get the best DE shaves with stainless, so I wonder if I'll have the same with a SE?

I have only one razor so far and it's stainless. I'm interested in others' opinions on the different traits. But my reason is that I'm not particularly meticulous and I know that with a Carbon steel blade I'd eventually leave some part of the razor wet and unprotected, buggering the edge far worse than any slight difference in materials might do.