I have been DE shaving for two decades and would like to make the switch to a straight. My question after reading all these posts is should I start with a carbon or stainless blade. I have read that SS will hold an edge longer therefore I could get away with just stropping so I could work on my technique longer before having to have it honed, or should I just not even consider carbon or ss and just go with the style I like.
I vote one of each, if you get into straights you will get some kind of hone or pasted strop....in which case the one holds the edge the longest won't matter.... A small yellow Coticule can be had for $40 that provides an excellent edge..barber hones can be had from $10-$30 usually... Stainless and Carbon are both great shavers, that said...with a properly honed razor they both should shave superbly and with proper stropping a good edge can be maintaned for some time. I like the fact that stainless is a little more forgiving if you don't dry your blades properly or they are stored in a humid environment you shouldn't have a problem with rust, the carbon blades I would be more careful with... Long story short, get what you like then learn how to maintain it A practice blade will come in handy when you start learning how to hone...ask around, someone will help you out
I was thinking just to try to focus on one skill at a time . The shave and just get by on stropping on unpasted leather, and then send out to be honed, and once I mastered the shave I could concentrate on learning about honing. I hone my own knives but I know from reading the skill is different. I think I"LL pick up Lynn's video first and do alot of studying. I just thought that if I sacrifice style and design and go with stainless.
Cool Owen, I hear ya, using one razor with an un-pasted leather strop and no hone you may be able to get by a month, perhaps more....I think it's hard to say especially when you are learning your stropping technique may not be were it needs to be which can lead to premature dullness on you straight.. Jim at Vintages blades was offering some Dovos that were honed by Lynn....I would get a cheap strop to learn with as you will probably take some nicks out of it....I did with mine... I think honing is less difficult than it's made out to be, especially if your accustomed to honing you knives...and you have the proper tools. Oh, my stainless blades do seem to hold an edge quite a while between honings / touch-ups It is all a YMMV thing though.. Have fun I think it took Isaac about 1 weeks time till he was getting a nice edge honing Impressive!
Thanks for the info. I am going to order Lynn's video that away I'll have more time to think. Money's hard to earn even harder to spend.
I'd ask at SRP... if moneys tight....maybe someone has a used copy of Lynns DVD they'll part with cheap...I never bought one or else I'd hook you up..
Not so much tight Its just I like to spend wisely,thats why all the research before I buy. I am sure I ll be posting again when I am ready to buy a hone.
Carbon steel v's Stainless well having read the advice you have been given and believe me its all good... Im adding my tuppence worth..lol.. Not being a honemeister and having a little experience,most of it gained here and other places...I would favour a carbon steel razor...my reason being this.... A carbon steel razor will let you know straight away how well it is going to shave you from the first stroke, in my opinion,and lets face it you find more of them than stainless and if you do decide how to learn to hone it is easier and will give you a realistic impression of things, thats the way I see it anyways, but its different for everyone. As for honeing I started out with a four sided paddle strop from Tony...but it was used on a brand new razor...and it has shaved me great since.. This is just how I see things and is definately not cast in stone...this advice is given freely and im sure you will find your feet.. good luck, simon
Great advice Simon, A paddle strop pasted up will keep your edges in tip top shave for a long while: http://shop.thewellshavedgentleman.com/product.sc?productId=7&categoryId=4 Simon, I am still loving the Tam O' shanter hone I got from you, Thanks!! I used it yesterday...
More good advice. Can some one give a ballpark estimate how long a carbon or stainless would stay sharp if recieved pre-honed, stropped only on leather and linen no paste. and probably only used once or twice a week while I learn how. I'll try on my days of work so I am not be in a hurry and can take my time to enjoy.
I say get either or. If you buy a blade that is honed.....and with proper stropping, you will have an edge for a few months easy. Then...you can get away with a pasted paddle strop. You can do that for a year or so for touchups. You dont really need to hone....for quite some time...but you will eventually want to learn that skill as well.
depending on the razor it could last for ages...i have a few that it has been months since it has been touched up but i dont shave everyday, only every second,a good stropping technique will ensure it lasts too regards,simon
Carbon steel will get sharper than stainless with less effort, but will loose the edge comparatively fast, and might rust. Its slightly softer than the stainless (lose the edge), plus is raw steel allowing it to react to the elements (the rusting). Stainless is harder to get as sharp, but will be much less prone to rust, and will hold the edge longer. Its a harder metal with various other metals, so it wont really react to the air, and will hold a more robust edge.
Most of my razors are carbon steel. Only one is stainless. I agree that carbon blades in general are more easily honed, but all carbon blades are not the same, even among razors by the same maker and the same model. Some carbon is just plain harder, some is more brittle, some are ground better and have a bevel that is just right while others have poor bevels or even warped blades. Frankly, I like a good carbon blade, but I don't think it can be said that any carbon blade is easy to hone as there are exceptions. Rust has not been a problem for me, but I don't keep all my razors in the bathroom. Just the ones I'm using.
I just ordered lynn abrams DVD. I am sure to get alot more useful information as I walk down this path. The feedback eveyone has given me seems to sway towards carbon blades, and as I look at it I could more than likely get two carbons for the price of one stainless almost, and if pre-honed by someone like lynn I could be off to a good start.
If you get to the point where you worry about the difference between the two, you'll probably end up with a few of each anyway.... So far, in my limited experience, I like the feel of carbon blades better. They seem "silkier". I reserve the right to change my mind about this without notice though. Jordan
