My first attempt at a razor

I love the style of the Kamisori so i've been wanting to buy one to try it out. The only thing i don't like about them are how they are ground. I don't like the idea of only using one side of the razor. So I set out to make my own. I had to go to a local machine shop for work and while i was there i asked about some O1 steel. They just gave me a piece to use. After forging, cutting, grinding, and sanding i put it on a norton combination oil stone that i use for knives. It will shave somewhat but i don't have the right stones to put a good edge on it. I guess i'll be sending it out sometime soon. Here are some process pictures.
Attachment 156124Attachment 156125Attachment 156126Attachment 156127Attachment 156128Attachment 156129I have the blade a little more polished than what is in the last picture but i dont have the final pictures yet and its at work so i cant take any just yet.

What is your "guide" to keep the stone exactly in the same angle every time? This is most important when honing. Is it convex on one side and flat on the other?

I wasn't using a guide. I just wanted to see if it would take an edge. The stone I used hasn't been lapped or anything. It's just something I use on my pocket knives. It's not a high enough grit to sharpen a razor on.

How was it heat treated?

For heat treating I Heated it to not magnetic then quenched in motor oil. Then it was tempered to around 450 degrees for two hours. Then I let it air cool. I then tested it with a file to make sure it wouldn't cut into the metal.

That is a good looking blade. I am looking forward to hear how it preforms. I wish my first blades would have looked so good.

Charlie

And did you hone with the spine on the stone, like you're supposed to sharpen a razor (I ask because of your reference to knives).

Nice, looks like a pretty nifty razor. I like it, simple and clean :)

looks good SMITHBOBBLYLEE im thinking these same for my first razor id have to hone both sides

SHOOTER74743

What is your "guide" to keep the stone exactly in the same angle every time care to help out the new guy,s about the GUIDE a pic say,s it all

The spine is the guide. Even with a kamisori you don't freehand. Look at pics of kamisori's and you will see that all are laid flat on the stone on each side. I personally don't know how to hone a kamisori, but remember reading that you do several strokes on one side and one on the other. All razors should have a built in "guide".

I just went back and cut the blade down using a piece of electrical tape on the spine to use as a guide. Will that work for getting the correct bevel set?

Some people use tape, but depending on your spine thickness, you may be ok without it. It certainly looks the part anyhow. It's a nice binding you have on the tang/handle?

Very nice blade!!

Ray

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Originally Posted by shooter74743

The spine is the guide. Even with a kamisori you don't freehand. Look at pics of kamisori's and you will see that all are laid flat on the stone on each side. I personally don't know how to hone a kamisori, but remember reading that you do several strokes on one side and one on the other. All razors should have a built in "guide".

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+1. This is one of the big difference with knives. You don't ever freehand a razor. It will get sharp as a knife, but there is a whole level of 'sharpness' for which you need a fine stone and a fixed angle, because any slight variation in angle will undo the previous work. This is why razors have a thick spine. The spine acts as a guide (with or without tape, depending on circumstances and preference)