The one that started it all

Almost a decade enough, I discovered this forum and the big world (then a lot smaller) of straight razor shaving. Not too long after that, I discovered custom razors, and saw one by Robert Williams. Damascus, with 2 finger notches, paddle tail, and in mammoth ivory. That was the razor I really wanted. With some modifications of course. I wanted it more hollow ground, and smiling. Of course there is no way I could afford it. But I had started restoring razors, and figured that if I could start making razors instead of just restoring them, one day I could own that razor without breaking the bank.

Not too long ago, it was that day. I decided to finally make that razor. Looking back between then and now, I can say that I had no clue at all about the things I needed to learn, which might have been a blessing.. Metallurgy, forging, grinding, polishing, etching, making scales, making a forge, ... but one step at the time can get you a whole distance it seems, as long as you're too stupid to quit and keep going for near a decade. :)

That said, I decided against mammoth Ivory. It looks stunning, but it has issues. Difficult to get in razor sizes, expensive, can break when working it, and if you have bad luck, the minerals that colored it over the millennia can corrode the razor. So I nixed that idea, but chose purple glow shokwood. When it is light, the material is pale white. When it gets dark, it emits a beautiful purple glow. And it has been merged with burl cap, with the luminous material filling all the voids and holes. It goes very well with this razor, each piece is unique, and the burl cap is natural.

I named this design Arwen, and in truth I think that this is the most beautiful I have made so far.

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That is magnificent! Fantastic work.

Adam

Oh my, you've awed me. What a beautiful piece of work, forged from your determination to live and learn with patience. That is just amazing! Thanks for sharing!!

That is beautiful. Congrats Bruno.

A friend and I were just talking about those being blessed with owning one of Neil Miller's Strops. He said;

I just love Neil's work. I think, as wet-shavers, we are fortunate to have access to some superb craftsman.

I would second that for your work! :tu

I'm saving my shekels and hopefully someday I'll also have a Bruno Blade! :y

That razor is stunning!

Elrond would be proud to use it. Wait, do elves shave?
Even if they don't it's gorgeous just the same Bruno. Love the twin finger grooves, and the pattern in the steel is like water.
:chapeau

Thats a stunning razor. I wish that one Day I make a beauty like that for my one.

Truly a thing of beauty both in steel and scales!!!

Great, great job.
The damascus steel shaves great.

Well done, Bruno

Bruno, some of your other work is a bit extreme for my personal tastes, but this is breath taking. Well done and keep up the good work!

Wow, that is simply a stunning piece of craftsmanship. Well done!

I have stated elsewhere that I am no fan of combining burl wood with acrylic (or whatever that material is). You, sir, have opened my eyes. That is simply stunning to look at. I think it might be how it seems to flow together organically. They say that "art" is supposed to change one's perception of things. This is a piece of "art" to my eye.

Absolutely . . . positively . . . stunningly . . . BEAUTIFUL.

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Originally Posted by Orville

I have stated elsewhere that I am no fan of combining burl wood with acrylic (or whatever that material is). You, sir, have opened my eyes. That is simply stunning to look at. I think it might be how it seems to flow together organically. They say that "art" is supposed to change one's perception of things. This is a piece of "art" to my eye.

Absolutely . . . positively . . . stunningly . . . BEAUTIFUL.

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Actually, I agree with you, to a point. When I buy this stuff, I spend a large amount of time looking at each individual piece, to see if the way the burl is immersed will work as razor scales. Imo, 95% of the available pieces are not suitable for razors if you care about how the burl will come out. I only have this stuff in a couple of colors because it is hard to find pieces that will work well.

For material like kirinite, I can let a person choose from any color that exists. With shokwood, the choices are more limited, because there are combinations that look great in terms of coloring, but for which none of the 20 pieces would come out properly when cutting razor scales. I check the suppliers every week just to pick up any good piece, whether I need it at that particular time or not, just because good pieces are hard to get by.

Wow!!...just Wow!!... Did I say Wow!!
That blade looks almost magical!
The shockwood is unbelievable!
Congratulations on bringing your dreams to reality!

Pete <:-}

Simply WoW! What a stunning craftsmanship, thanks for sharing!

Very, very nice! :)

Very nice work Bruno! Although the most work is put in a blade making I am also interested in scales making. If you maybe have any "the making of" pics I wouldn't mind seeing those also :).

Bruno, I have been in awe of your craftsmanship from day one and this razor just reinforces that opinion of your work.

Bruno
This has got to be the best razor Iv'e seen of your's so far,
I love everything about it.
You're making it very hard for me to think of going down to just one razor.
Truly outstanding my friend.
Cheers Paul

Well, I just had a testshave.
It was superb. It could very well be confirmation bias, but this O2/L6 mix is feeling even smoother than the O2.
It was like wiping hairs from my face with a wiper.

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Originally Posted by Bruno

Well, I just had a testshave.
It was superb. It could very well be confirmation bias, but this O2/L6 mix is feeling even smoother than the O2.
It was like wiping hairs from my face with a wiper.

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Bruno, send it to me and I will test it out and give you an unbiased opinion. Of course, you might never get it back:w

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bruno

Well, I just had a testshave.
It was superb. It could very well be confirmation bias, but this O2/L6 mix is feeling even smoother than the O2.
It was like wiping hairs from my face with a wiper.

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An interesting comparison Bruno and excellent razor turned.

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Originally Posted by guitstik

Bruno, send it to me and I will test it out and give you an unbiased opinion. Of course, you might never get it back:w

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It's in the mail!

...

just not to you :p

DRAT!!!:banghead:

It's going to Cuda!:rofl2:

Stunningly beautiful! Awesome Bruno! Excellent craftsmanship that is true work of art! Bravo!

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Originally Posted by sharptonn

It's going to Cuda!:rofl2:

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Tom, How I wish!!!! :banghead: :banghead:

I've been privileged to hone one of Bruno's blades/a non folder and it was a very sweet shaver indeed. The particular design wasn't one that I'd order but that blade was giving an incredible shave :y

Yes it does. As do all Bruno blades! Tc

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Originally Posted by tcrideshd

Yes it does. As do all Bruno blades! Tc

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My two certainly do.

I better not go to how many I have Dave, and two more in the que!! Or I guess you guys won't judge it's the wife I better not go into it with. Tc

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Originally Posted by tcrideshd

I better not go to how many I have Dave, and two more in the que!! Or I guess you guys won't judge it's the wife I better not go into it with. Tc

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Yep, after two Bruno's, a Williams and a couple others with another Bruno coming, SWMBO has put a VERY large hammer down on my RAD. Such a pity. I keep telling her they are investments but she is not buying that in the least. Guess I will just have to stay with buying soap.

I am seriously contemplating a Bruno razor, I just have to figure out where I would get the funds for it.