Damascus frameback?

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07-05-2009, 11:25 PM
McWolf1969

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Damascus frameback?

Anyone heard of a Damascus-steel frameback?
I got this frameback on the bay, in a lot. Anyone familiar with shaving with this or honing it?

Le Royal Razor No 10
Lecollier A Nogent.
France
Backside says: Curley N.Y. Depose

Sorry for the poor phone pic.

Thanks,
Mac
07-05-2009, 11:44 PM
0livia

I have something similar here. Also french.
Have yet to hone it though.

Nice find!
07-06-2009, 12:19 AM
holli4pirating

I've seen a bunch by that company, and I have seen Damascus ones before. Not sure if they are actual Damascus or just etched/patterened.

I had one that was just a normal carbon blade, and she was a nice shaver.
07-06-2009, 12:46 AM
McWolf1969

Quote:

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

I've seen a bunch by that company, and I have seen Damascus ones before. Not sure if they are actual Damascus or just etched/patterened.

I had one that was just a normal carbon blade, and she was a nice shaver.

Yeah, there doesnt seem to be any shortages in framebacks...this makes 5 of 'em for me now.
Until i cleaned it up, i just thought the steel had water marks/stains...didnt think about the possibility of etching on the blade.

Thanks,
Mac
07-06-2009, 12:51 AM
0livia

If its a real damast the pattern would come back if you treat it with acid.
07-06-2009, 01:09 AM
McWolf1969

Quote:

Originally Posted by 0livia

If its a real damast the pattern would come back if you treat it with acid.

Really? Should i use vinegar or something stronger?

Thanks,
Mac
07-06-2009, 01:30 AM
holli4pirating

This post might help. http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...tml#post342009
07-06-2009, 01:44 AM
McWolf1969

Thanks! Good post and i'll give it a try.

Mac
07-06-2009, 01:55 AM
0livia

Ah yes, there is.
If you don't want to etch it all, paint the other part with tar (asphalt) laquer.

Vinegar... takes long.
Nitric acid works faster. (Turkish kettle cleaner called "PorCöz" at your local muslim supermarket)
07-07-2009, 12:24 AM
Croaker

3 Attachment(s)

Olivia, thanks for bring this question up. I have a French frameback that originally had a Damascus pattern on the blade that disappeared when I tried to clean it. Waahhh! Dummy! I am not sure if it was etched or real. I will try one of your remedies to try and bring back the pattern. (which I have heard of being described by Arabs as "Mohammeds Ladder") I have another Wostenholm frameback with a nice Damascus pattern, but am not sure if it is etched or actual Damascus steel. Finally, I have a Zowada Damascus to compare it with. What do you think of my two framebacks? real Damascus or fake? Thank you.
07-07-2009, 12:28 AM
Croaker

1 Attachment(s)

Extra Wostenholm Damascus Picture

Here is a closeup pic of the Wostenholm frameback. Notice the extreme regularity of the blade pattern...real or etched?
07-07-2009, 12:33 AM
0livia

Croaker thank you, I feel honored by your question but I can not say from pictures.

The closeup is etched. IMO
07-07-2009, 12:41 AM
Croaker

Yeah Olivia, I think it is etched too. McWolf's original posting and picture look a lot like my French frameback. BTW-it takes and holds a great edge, whatever kind of steel it is made from.
07-07-2009, 12:55 AM
holli4pirating

Quote:

Originally Posted by Croaker

Here is a closeup pic of the Wostenholm frameback. Notice the extreme regularity of the blade pattern...real or etched?

I had a different Wostenholm frameback that had the same Damascus pattern. I'm pretty sure it was not really a Damascus blade, because the pattern was etched onto the blade. It would also be an extremely difficult pattern to create for a real Damascus blade. It still looked really cool, though.
07-07-2009, 01:13 AM
0livia

Should be fun to make such a pattern.
Haven't done it since school.
07-07-2009, 01:57 AM
Philadelph

I haven't seen an old frameback that said damascus that was actually Damascus. The razor closeup you posted is obviously just made to look that way- i.e. etched.
07-07-2009, 02:46 AM
McWolf1969

Just found a better picture of my frameback, i found in wiki...the razors are identical...w/ exception of the scales. There is no consistent pattern on it, however the pattern is 'raised,' a bit...not sure what that means.
Either way, i cant wait to shave with it!

http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...anciers-2.html
07-07-2009, 11:32 PM
thebigspendur

It was a common practice to write Damascus on blades in the day. It meant nothing so I would doubt you will uncover a damascus pattern. I'm told you can buy this stuff in radioshack- iron permangamite or something like that which will bring the pattern back.
07-08-2009, 02:44 PM
Mike Blue

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

.... I'm told you can buy this stuff in radioshack- iron permangamite or something like that which will bring the pattern back.

I'm willing to help here. :) The chemical is ferric chloride. If Radioshack is not selling it anymore, as has been rumored, you can find it in some art stores where it's used for etching copper. That solution needs to be diluted between 3-4:1 with water.

You can make some at home buy going to your favorite home hardward store and getting some Muriatic acid (hydrochloric) and putting some steel wool into a container together with the acid. Plastic will do, I use a PVC pipe with a cap, it's not horribly aggressive as acids go. Once it turns a dark coffee/tea color (Do Not Drink etc. etc.) it will be a form of ferric chloride. This is a little less concentrated and you'll have to play with it to see how it works. It will improve the more you use it.

The basic process is to leave the metal in the acid for a few minutes then scrub it clean. If the pattern is not to your liking, repeat. Finish by neutralizing in baking soda, then lightly polish the surface with some ultra fine wet/dry paper to bring out the highlights of the layers. Oil per your routine after cleaning.

Looking at the closeups on this razor, this appears to be a superficial etch pattern to give the look of pattern welding. It just doesn't look right for a laminate.