Thread: 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.

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!

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

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.

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