Thread: Fresh off the bench

I just finished this razor yesterday. I tried out some file work on the spine and really like how it turned out. The detail are:

Steel: O1 from NJ Steel Baron
Width: 7/8
Grind: 1/2 Hollow
Scales: Cocobolo with brass wedge

I bought some new belts from pops knife supple (Hermes belts) because I wanted something that I could use wet sanding with on the grinder. I had a ton of issues with them separating at the joint. I bought them specifically for wet sanding and I love their scratch pattern (nice and even) but was a bit frustrated with how them failed to last 20 mins when they got wet. Anybody with any insight into this issue feel free to chime in. I am still on the search for a belt to use for wet sanding on the grinder so any advice with that would be greatly appreciated. Also as always and comments, critiques, opinions..etc regarding the razor are always appreciated.

Thanks!!

Really loving the spinework, great job.

Beautiful razor! I love the smooth lines and gorgeous spine work.

I'd love to get into making my own razors ... how does one start?

Originally Posted by 1981Eagle

I'd love to get into making my own razors ... how does one start?

I started by doing basic restorations by hand. I remember my first four restorations in particular because I bought all four razors at a local flea market for 6.00/razor. During the I would say first year I did just basic simple restorations with razors that didn't need scales as at that time I wasn't making them. Using some good economical flea market finds I learned about the geometry of different styles of razors and really worked on my honing ability. I then moved into scale making, experimenting with different shapes, materials, learning how to correctly pin..etc. Wedge making was a learning curve for myself and still isn't my favorite part. Following that I got the bug and watching videos and seeing the limitless potential of making a custom razor I decided that my next purchase was going to be a grinder. My brother-in-law and I built a small forge so I could HT O1 (easy to HT) and I saved and bought a grinder. I first learned by grinded a few practice bladed out of mild steel (stuff you can by at lowes, home depot..etc) just to get some feel of what it was like to grind. Then I moved on to O1. I watched a lot of videos, asked questions here on the forum, and just went at trying to make one. Patience is key. I can remember spending a few days on several of my first attempts and ruining them during final grinding, kind of frustrating, but none the less fun to do. I love working with my hands and making things. Any quiet time (very little as I have 2 young boys) in the shop at my bench, is appreciated For me there as a lot of experimenting and error in razor making. I tried new techniques, found some I like and some I just never got the feel for. Starting simple and progressing over time from restorations to making a razor is what worked for me. Patience, Patience, Patience.

Very smart looking razor, I dig it alot
Great job Jared

Originally Posted by Jared13

I started by doing basic restorations by hand. I remember my first four restorations in particular because I bought all four razors at a local flea market for 6.00/razor. During the I would say first year I did just basic simple restorations with razors that didn't need scales as at that time I wasn't making them. Using some good economical flea market finds I learned about the geometry of different styles of razors and really worked on my honing ability. I then moved into scale making, experimenting with different shapes, materials, learning how to correctly pin..etc. Wedge making was a learning curve for myself and still isn't my favorite part. Following that I got the bug and watching videos and seeing the limitless potential of making a custom razor I decided that my next purchase was going to be a grinder. My brother-in-law and I built a small forge so I could HT O1 (easy to HT) and I saved and bought a grinder. I first learned by grinded a few practice bladed out of mild steel (stuff you can by at lowes, home depot..etc) just to get some feel of what it was like to grind. Then I moved on to O1. I watched a lot of videos, asked questions here on the forum, and just went at trying to make one. Patience is key. I can remember spending a few days on several of my first attempts and ruining them during final grinding, kind of frustrating, but none the less fun to do. I love working with my hands and making things. Any quiet time (very little as I have 2 young boys) in the shop at my bench, is appreciated For me there as a lot of experimenting and error in razor making. I tried new techniques, found some I like and some I just never got the feel for. Starting simple and progressing over time from restorations to making a razor is what worked for me. Patience, Patience, Patience.

Sounds like sage advice ... I do machine work - and general metalworking. Here is a photo of a trio of rifle rests I was 'commissioned' to make.



So I'm not completely without skills.

Awesome, they look really great. That's something I wish I had time to do more of too. I love spending time at the range, looking at those make me want to go out. I know what you mean, when I started down the road of making a razor I felt confident that I would at some point succeed in turning a piece of bar stock into a tool capable shaving as I love to make things with my hands whatever it may be. You look to have a great idea of how to work with metal, more so that I did when I started. You are going to need a grinder if you are looking to make a razor. There are many plans out there on the web for no weld build-it-yourself grinders. I like watching Mr. Lewis's youtube videos, he has a great video (and many great videos) of the grinder he built to give you an idea. I saved up and bought a KMG grinder and 4 grinding wheels as I really was too impatient and wanted to get to grinding. If you have to patience to build one I'm sure that is the more economical route. Looking at you rifle rests there's no doubt you have knowledge in the are of working with steel. However there is still going to be a learning curve when you free hand grinding edges to thousandths of an inch. Too much pressure can take a perfect bevel that is being refined and shrunk and completely ruin it. There is a lot of muscle memory regarding grinding pressure and what it feels. For me there is also a sound component to final grinding and how the blade sounds the thinner it gets that tells me to either grind more or stop. I love making razors, it is fun and if it is something (as it looks like it to me) that you have patience to learn how to do by trial and error, go for it. Like I said it is great fun turning a billet of steel into a razor, something that will outlive me and something I can pass down. The biggest point that I always reemphasize is that if you are not really acquainted with straight razors and their geometry, try to find some cheap (even on ebay) and study them (blade length, tang length, blade to spine thickness...etc) and when questions arise throw them up here on SRP, guys on this site are great and always more than willing to answer any question that you may have.

Originally Posted by Jared13

Awesome, they look really great. That's something I wish I had time to do more of too. I love spending time at the range, looking at those make me want to go out. I know what you mean, when I started down the road of making a razor I felt confident that I would at some point succeed in turning a piece of bar stock into a tool capable shaving as I love to make things with my hands whatever it may be. You look to have a great idea of how to work with metal, more so that I did when I started. You are going to need a grinder if you are looking to make a razor. There are many plans out there on the web for no weld build-it-yourself grinders. I like watching Mr. Lewis's youtube videos, he has a great video (and many great videos) of the grinder he built to give you an idea. I saved up and bought a KMG grinder and 4 grinding wheels as I really was too impatient and wanted to get to grinding. If you have to patience to build one I'm sure that is the more economical route. Looking at you rifle rests there's no doubt you have knowledge in the are of working with steel. However there is still going to be a learning curve when you free hand grinding edges to thousandths of an inch. Too much pressure can take a perfect bevel that is being refined and shrunk and completely ruin it. There is a lot of muscle memory regarding grinding pressure and what it feels. For me there is also a sound component to final grinding and how the blade sounds the thinner it gets that tells me to either grind more or stop. I love making razors, it is fun and if it is something (as it looks like it to me) that you have patience to learn how to do by trial and error, go for it. Like I said it is great fun turning a billet of steel into a razor, something that will outlive me and something I can pass down. The biggest point that I always reemphasize is that if you are not really acquainted with straight razors and their geometry, try to find some cheap (even on ebay) and study them (blade length, tang length, blade to spine thickness...etc) and when questions arise throw them up here on SRP, guys on this site are great and always more than willing to answer any question that you may have.

I am less 'intimidated' (if that's the right word) by the shaping, and grinding ... than I am by the heat treating and tempering of the blade. That is something I have ZERO experience with.

I understand. I was too initially but after asking around and getting some input I decided to go with O1 initially. It is really easy to HT and isn't temperamental as 1095, W2, stainless...etc is. It polishes nice and it able to be honed to a very good edge and is comfortable to shave with. It can be HT with a forge and some oil and tempered in a toaster oven (get an actual oven thermometer so you know the exact temp) so you don't need an expensive kiln which is nice. All of that and O1 won't break the bank, always a plus.