SS v Ti Shave Properties in Otherwise Identical Razors of ALL Brands

Not detecting a difference is a legitimate response

First shave with the Ti II this morning. I would say it is a bit smoother than the 17-4 but just as efficient. Probably a YMMV thing.

First shave with the Ti II this morning. I would say it is a bit smoother than the 17-4 but just as efficient. Probably a YMMV thing.

That has been the consensus from those I know with both. That’s where I’m at with it too.

Interesting that somebody did apparently pursue a study on the matter of SS and Ti interaction.

Most of the research has been in the orthopaedic literature where metal is frequently used to fix fractures and in joint replacements. Here is another reference.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26143030

I am only 2 shaves in, but I am finding the Ti2 to be smoother but just as efficient as the SS. Now, after a couple more shaves I will return to the 17-4 to make a proper comparison. I am one to believe this primarily has to do with the reduced weight of the Ti, as that's the only thing makes sense to my highly unedumacated, tile contracting brain...

Looking forward to seeing other people's takes and opinions on this one. Consider myself subscribed to this thread!

I believe the critical factor is mass, which takes us back to Newtonian mechanics. F = MA. Less mass, and it's easier to shave with less force. Balance does play a role, too. What I find more interesting than the reasons are the perceived shave differences. Ti is not only milder with no sacrifice in efficiency, it feels "softer," somehow. I doubt it has to do with the metallurgy, though Ti is a softer metal.

In orthopedic implants, the question has indeed been extensively studied. But the issues are different. There, they are concerned with biocompatibility, strength, propensity to cause infection, and probably a bunch of other matters I'm not familiar with. My own orthopedist swears by stainless. But titanium gives a better shave, other factors being equal.

Softer is a term used consistently by razor manufacturers describing Ti v SS

I dont have identical razors in both Ti and SS, but I do have one of each in different brands and styles. One being regular double edge and the other a slant. The biggest difference for me is the weight of razor. I like the weight of the Ti better - some weight but not heavy. The one negative about my SS is the weight, but I got use to it so it's less of a negative now. The extra weight can add pressure between skin and blade until you learn how to counter that - not hard, just comes with practice.

In vitro studies looking at SS and Titanium implants in the human body show no evidence of galvanic corrosion, so I think your razor handle and head will be fine unless you store it in seawater with a battery.

There is an issue with galvanic corrosion in stainless razors unrelated to the body. There is a potential difference — a voltage — between a razor and a blade, even a stainless blade. When wet, current flows between them. This is harder on the blade, but can also corrode the razor. I ruined an SS razor by leaving a wet blade in it all the time. It rusted.

There is an issue with galvanic corrosion in stainless razors unrelated to the body. There is a potential difference — a voltage — between a razor and a blade, even a stainless blade. When wet, current flows between them. This is harder on the blade, but can also corrode the razor. I ruined an SS razor by leaving a wet blade in it all the time. It rusted.

Thank you Andy!  Had not had time to pursue with Prof contacts at CMU and Pitt but recalled steels reacting with Ti from graduate fellowship experience.

One might imagine that a lot of the medical studies were also concerned regarding long term interaction with bone but that stated only based on the cases peripherally citing such.

There is an issue with galvanic corrosion in stainless razors unrelated to the body. There is a potential difference — a voltage — between a razor and a blade, even a stainless blade. When wet, current flows between them. This is harder on the blade, but can also corrode the razor. I ruined an SS razor by leaving a wet blade in it all the time. It rusted.

Thank you Andy!  Had not had time to pursue with Prof contacts at CMU and Pitt but recalled steels reacting with Ti from graduate fellowship experience.

One might imagine that a lot of the medical studies were also concerned regarding long term interaction with bone but that stated only based on the observing cases peripherally citing such.

No, it's totally cool with the ti razor. It's stainless you have to worry about. Ti is more noble than SS, totally doesn't corrode. The blade would act as a sacrificial anode anyway. This gets a little technical, but you are fine with ti.