Thread: Damascus and Ironwood

This would be a good blade to shave with, only do ordinary stropping, until it feels like it's not as sharp as when first honed. Then send it to one of the honemeisters with the ability to do photomicrographs of the edge. I suspect with this mix of PW steels that include nickel, that the nickel exposed at the edge will roll or deform and create a not very nice shaving edge. That would be the question I would want answered.

PW steel with nickel looks good, but the nickel cannot harden and functions as a barrier to carbon migration. If the nickel was limited to a non edge portion of the blade you could avoid this potential problem. As far as I know, no one has ever completely documented whether this kind of edge deformation due to nickel is true or not, so you could be among the first to confirm or bust a myth.

I tested one of their "Razor" Blanks some time back, but I never got to testing the steel part because of incorrect geometry issues...
I sent them an e-mail describing the issues but I never heard back and it looks like the SR blanks they make are still the same so I moved on...

I would like to know how the steel works too on a razor with the correct geometry, they have a pretty good rep from what I see posted by the knife guys...

Originally Posted by Midoio

I hope it shaves as good as it looks! Enjoy!

Indeed it does, the heel is much more dangerous than it looks though, I always enjoy getting to know a razor

Originally Posted by gssixgun

I tested one of their "Razor" Blanks some time back, but I never got to testing the steel part because of incorrect geometry issues...
I sent them an e-mail describing the issues but I never heard back and it looks like the SR blanks they make are still the same so I moved on...

I would like to know how the steel works too on a razor with the correct geometry, they have a pretty good rep from what I see posted by the knife guys...

Well this was made from a stock piece from scratch, so I'm prepared to do some testing. It sharpened up pretty easily I have the bevel set right around 17 Deg. And the heat treat seemed to be just right. So we'll see how it holds up, I'll keep you guys posted. I'm hoping it continues to impress, with the extra nickel it etches very nicely and provides a beautiful finish.

And like you said as far as knives go I've never heard a bad thing about it, so I guess we'll find out if it makes as good of razors

I am always up for some further critiquing as well, so if any pros are out there that are willing to take a look at it after I get some testing done, I'm open arms.

Originally Posted by wynndow

...I am always up for some further critiquing as well, so if any pros are out there that are willing to take a look at it after I get some testing done, I'm open arms.

My suggestion is shave with it, stropping without any abrasives only, until it gets to where you know it needs something more than stropping. Then send it to an expert equipped to take pictures of the edge at good resolution. I will be very interested in the outcome.

Originally Posted by Mike Blue

My suggestion is shave with it, stropping without any abrasives only, until it gets to where you know it needs something more than stropping. Then send it to an expert equipped to take pictures of the edge at good resolution. I will be very interested in the outcome.

Duly noted, I am also interested to see how it reacts.

Amazing razor!!

Ray

Dear god! That is a true work of art. Excellent job!

I was just browsing the forum and came across this blade. It is absolutely beautiful. You did an exceptional job. I do not think you could have picked a better scale material! The complexity of the wood graining coupled with the wonderful swirl that's in the Damascus is a perfect pair. I am absolutely taken back by it. If you should consider parting with it I would most interested in providing a new permanent home!