Please let me know what you think.
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Please let me know what you think.
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For a start it looks like you will not be able to pivot the blade out of the scales. As a personal preference I do not care for the point on the heel. It can be hard enough keeping track of a point at the toe never mind adding a second one at the heel. Depending how sharp the scalloped edges are you take a chance on scratching a strop up. Never did see the point of a long tail on a straight razor. I would be nice to see what kind of grind you propose for the blade.
Just curious, are you a knife maker wanting to branch out into making straight razors?
Bob
As Bob said looking at your design you wouldn't be able to pivot the blade out of the scales, also your heel should be more rounded including the toe or otherwise your strop will certainly suffer the consequence, If you want my advice look at a good few vintage razors then take all that's best from them and add a few minor alterations and never go to far away from the original design that's worked so perfectly for centuries. PS you can't reinvent the wheel you can tart it up but at the end of the day it's still round.:D
Yes, it is pretty hard to vastly improve/reinvent the wheel on a design that has matured after over 300 years of manufacture and use. They look the way they do because it simply works. Do you shave on a regular basis with a straight razor?
Bob
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I think that:
The points at the end of the spine and tang look like they could be uncomfortable and potentially damaging to a strop (the one at the toe end).
The scallops in the tang would be uncomfortable.
The transition between tang and heel end of the razor could be smoother.
The point at the heel while good looking just adds an extra risk during use.
The blade (probably) wouldn't open as the toe looks like it would catch on the wedge.
For my taste the blade sits too low in the scales.
Possibly only put the scallops down the spine, or just a single notch in the toe rather than 2 (would hint at a barbers notch)
Ditto to what the others have said. It's what we refer to as a 'Razor-Shaped Object' - an interesting design that definitely fits into current design trends amongst some knife makers, but not at all a usable straight razor design. The others have given good suggestions, I will add one of my own: put a bit of smile (convex curve) in the edge. I find that the only truly straight edged razors that are comfortable to use have full hollow grinds with thin flexible blades. The older wedge and heavy hollow grinds of the 19th century have smiling edges which allow them to address the contours of the face and are very comfortable to use. I have attached a few examples.
Please don't take any of this personally; I'm assuming that the reason you joined this forum and made this post was to get honest critique, and our best service to you is to give just that.
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The scales, as they are designed now, are going to be very uncomfortable to hold and strop with. Look at traditional scale shape, they are not straight but curved, there is a reason for that.
Aesthetically the spine work does not appeal to me at all, I think a more subtle design will look better. The deep scallops may also scratch the strop if not smoothed properly, and will not feel very comfortable in hand. The sharp toe and heel will definitely scratch a strop.
IMHO when it comes to razor design function comes always before form.
Have a look at other custom razor makers designs, the ones that sell well are the more classic look. Designs that are a bit "out there" dont fair so well as straight razor shaving is a niche market and this type of design may alienate many potential buyers.
Exactly right.Quote:
Originally Posted by markbignosekelly
There are many makers out there now, and a lot of them rely on fancy looks to stand out of the crowd and sell product. However tons of them forgot to make functional pieces that actually work. If a razor shaves well it will have a following even if it is not fancy looking, function over form always.
It might be nice if you would introduce yourself. Do you use straight razors or just sell them?
I might add to this that those established razor makers, like Bruno for instance, have mastered the fundamentals of creating a straight razor first, and have then consequently added flourish or exotic designs knowing that they still must function for the purpose they were intended.Quote:
Originally Posted by mainaman
In other words, walk before you run, learn how to make a straight razor as in the beautiful pics of classics posted above, when you can do that consistently, then you will understand how you can bring your own influence to your designs IMO.
It may be possible to completely ignore the straight razor aficionados and head directly to Ebay with your offering.
Welcome to SRP Ravenfieldblades,
How about a proper introduction? a link to your facebook page? wont comment on the razor from this original post, others fine members allready did that.
I think you will find that the majority of the members here are regular users of straight razors. As such the function over form is very important, everyone want a great shave. You picture has the appearance of an artistic design rather than functional form. There are a number of custom makers that are here. You could check out their designs to see what they are doing in terms of functional design as a point of reference. A stroll around in the forge and the workshop will give you an idea as to which guys are here often and most of them have websites. There is a ton of knowledge here and if you are looking for a group to help you find function in your razor designs this is probably a good place for you.
I appreciate everyone's input and I will say that some of what was said is helpful.
Are you the owner of Ravenfield Blades as listed on Linkedin as a Knife and Razor Company? If so it would be nice to see some other examples of straight razors you have made and sold. Are they similar to the design you have asked for comments on?
Bob
He's not a registered vendor. In my opinion, such as it is, he's already gotten sufficient advertising by registering a username that matches his business and then posting here. Anybody that is interested can find more information with a simple google search so I don't think any links are needed.Quote:
Originally Posted by Martin103
As stated before I really appreciate the comments and just to update those who may care or want to continue to comment here is the newest picture. http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...ddc2fe7c07.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...eb80733f5c.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...f0f816b590.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...c0bb77650b.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...bc53fd99ea.jpg
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Egads man, get hold of yourself!
To be real honest i'm more of a traditional fellow. I kind of like the old Wade and Butchers joseph rogers frederick reynolds and so on. The shape of your blade looks kool but for a person like me too out there. I'm sure others will have there opinion.
Ok , I've held for long enough, man that's not a razor. It's something to look at, it won't strop or shave right, your first post was to advertise your business. Found out hat razors are making a comeback, and to supplement your knife service you figured what the heck I can do that, but what about just making a razor? Or how about coming to the forum and introducing yourself before showing your wares? This is blatantly a sales pitch to see f it sticks, so back up and let's get back to what we here on this forum does, talk shaving not selling Razor Shaped Objects. Tc.
I still hold by what i said earlier. If that is the finished product the whole thing looks a bit wonky to me.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ravenfieldblades
Obviously all the comments made so far have been completely ignored. Carry on, you are doing a wonderful job.
Bob
Honest opinion here.
IMHO , that is not a razor but looks like one.
The pivot hole looks gigantic and it is placed high. The scalloping on the spine is just way over the top. The grind is hard to make out from the pics, but it does not look promising right now.
This piece lacks any functional a straight razor should have.
Cheers Bob, after a stressful few days that gave me a good chuckle!Quote:
Originally Posted by BobH
Ravenfieldblades, you really do need to answer the question that BobH asked you. Your are on thin ice here and getting closer to having this thread closed.Quote:
Originally Posted by BobH
Bob
Without trying to stir things up. There is a Facebook page Ravenfield Blades with the same "razor".Quote:
Originally Posted by lz6
I apologize if anyone thinks I've been blowing off their comments I really have appreciated them and taken some into consideration. To be honest this piece is more of a showpiece and less of a razor and it was intended to be exactly what it is. This razor was designed for my dad and not to be really shaved with.
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Looks like a possible flipper not a razor
If it is to be more of a nonfunctional ornament then there is no need to ask for comments here. You can make it look like whatever you want. It would have been nice to know what the intent was in the original post. Personally, I think in light of that this thread has been a complete waste of time and effort by those who contributed to it thinking you wanted to make a functional tool designed to do it's job well.
Bob
I feel that all the comments were useful but just because I didn't use every comment to redesign my blades doesn't mean I wasn't appreciative of them.
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[QUOTE=Ravenfieldblades;1621192]I apologize if anyone thinks I've been blowing off their comments I really have appreciated them and taken some into consideration. To be honest this piece is more of a showpiece and less of a razor and it was intended to be exactly what it is. This razor was designed for my dad and not to be really shaved with.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk[/QUOT
Since this is to be a gift for your dad I'm quite sure what ever you come up with will be well appreciated. My farther was happy with every thing we kids gave him and if it was hand made it meant even more. I would say finish it and put it in a nice display with an old brush and he will be as happy as a hog in mud. Don't know how old your farther is but I'm old and anything these kids do is great.
You are missing the point here. You are wasting everyone's time "IF" as you say it is for your father and need not be functional. You just now mentioned more that one blade, "redesign my blades". So what are you really trying to do? Personally, I am at the point of thinking it is not nice to whiz on peoples boots and tell them it is raining.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ravenfieldblades
Bob
I've carefully read all of the posts including yours and it seems to me that you had no intentions of ever making an actual functioning 'Razor' and that's fine except that members have taken time out of their very busy lives to try to help you with your original post which insinuated that you wanted to make a functional razor.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ravenfieldblades
I hope that your father appreciates the time and effort that strangers made to try to guide you to make him a decent 'Display' instead of the cluster **** that you intend to present to him. Such a shame that a child wouldn't listen to make his father proud.
There has been enough back and forth banter in this thread. Still on the verge of getting contentious. I am closing this thread.
