Stainless or carbon

[drjay9051]

Which is "better" stainless or carbon? Why?

New to all this. Is a shave ready straight really shave ready? for example Vintageblades sells razors ' professionally honed by Lynn Abrams". Does this mean all I need is the strop? Lots of info and I am not comfortable dealing with hones, stones etc.

Thanks

 

[Drybonz]

Which is "better" stainless or carbon? Why?

New to all this. Is a shave ready straight really shave ready? for example Vintageblades sells razors ' professionally honed by Lynn Abrams". Does this mean all I need is the strop? Lots of info and I am not comfortable dealing with hones, stones etc.

Thanks

Stainless is nice, but not necessary, and you will find that most straights people are using are not stainless. Don't be afraid to get one that is not stainless. I had this same question when I was starting recently.

If a straight is advertised as "shave ready" it should be shave ready, but I found out quickly that this is not always the case. However, if it is honed by a noted pro, like Lynn Abrams, you are good to go.

There is a list of trusted honemeisters in the wiki. If any of these guys have honed your razor then there is no question that it is shave ready. Other than that, one man's "shave ready" may be another man's "can't shave with it".

 

[Squatman08]

I just purchased a Dovo from Vintage Blades--it should be here Tuesday, 12/7--I'll let you know if I find it ready to go as advertised. My understanding is that every new straight purchased from them is professionally honed by Lynn Abrams, as the previous post states.

 

[fccexpert]

There is really not "best" with regard to choosing carbon or stainless steel. Instead, each has its plusses and minuses.

Carbon steel is generally harder than stainless and will thus, hold an edge better. It is also non-galling making it somewhat easier to sharpen. The primary downside is that it can rust if not kept clean and dry. Carbon steels will also tend to turn grey over time, this is actually a form of oxidation, but unlike rust, this patina forms a protective layer on the steel.

Stainless is softer than carbon steel, but quality martinsitic stainless blades can be sharpened and will hold an edge, they will just dull quicker than a carbon steel blade. Stainless steels are also galling, and this makes them somewhat more difficult to sharpen. The big plus for SS is that it will not rust and will generally remain bright.

 

[Seraphim]

Fccexpert, you are most likely more knowledgeable than I netalurgically speaking. However, my real world experience has been that stainless holds an edge easily as long as carbon. I provide this information simply as another viewpoint for the OP to consider.

I will also say that even though stainless may be softer, it is indeed more wear resistant. From dremeling carbon and stainless razors I can confidently say that the stainless is much more wear resistant, which may offset the lower absolute hardness in regards to holding an edge.
I have been using the same stainless blade for the past month+ straight, and scope examination shows little to no wear. That may be a result of the use of the Dovo white pasted canvas, or it may be a testament to the edge holding ability of stainless.

When I first started I was a big proponent of stainless because of the ease of maintenance, so as to not have to worry about being neurotic about drying the razor. One less thing to worry about as a beginner.
I have now come to the conclusion that maintaining carbon is not difficult either, so it comes down to preference in the end, and stainless tends to be a bit pricier.

 

[O. Glenn]

Keep in mind, stainless steel is not unstainable, but rather, it stains less than other steels. Take a look at a stainless steel pot after water has been in it for a bit. You still need to dry a stainless razor or it will become stained.

 

[Pkrankow]

Keep in mind, stainless steel is not unstainable, but rather, it stains less than other steels. Take a look at a stainless steel pot after water has been in it for a bit. You still need to dry a stainless razor or it will become stained.

+1 Stainless will readily rust under certain circumstances.

Stainless steel requires a sophisticated heat treatment to get real edge holding performance out of. Stainless can hold an edge every bit as well, if not better, than carbon steel if it has been heat treated properly. Proper heat treatment may require holding at elevated specific temperatures for extended periods of time, as well as processing through liquid nitrogen (depending on the specific alloy)

Carbon steel can be heat treated to get real edge holding performance using a "backyard" type of process and very simple and inexpensive temperature control methods, including by sight (experience).

Phil