Thread: Modifying Custom Razor

Originally Posted by animalwithin

Not sure how much I'd be able to sell it for realistically. Of the few times I used the razor, I accidentally dropped it once which as left the scales in bad shape at one end. Add to that the cost of having my name removed from the tang, I don't see how I could sell the razor for very much. Sadly this has been a disaster from the very beginning.

Unfortunately, that is the problem with custom razors that you don't like once you get them. They are costly in the first place and the market for them is smaller that with vintage razors too. Even in pristine condition they can be hard to recoup your money from. Best bet is to learn to shave with it.

Bob

I'd agree with different scales. And it all needs to be balanced, it makes a world of difference when honing, stroppin, and shaving.

Originally Posted by petercp4e

I guess if you have a belt grinder and a lot of experience you could try, but I'm strongly leaning towards leaving it alone. That's a beauty!
I also have a 10/8 and although it's pretty heavy, it's manageable and I have no problem shaving with it.

If anything, have your name removed from the tang and sell it.

Pete <:-}

I agree with Pete. Have name removed, sell at a loss and chalk it up as a learning experience!

Mike

Grinding the hollows and getting the right ratio between spine width and blade width is 90% of making a razor for me,

I would leave the cutting portion of the blade as it is, messing with the tang or scales is a possibility.

I would sell it as is, I have plenty of vintage razors that have been marked with the owners name or initials.

Shortening is not an issue at all, how long is it?

Making it smaller can be an issues, if you take away some width then the spine will have to thinned or the angle will be too large. How thick is the spine on yours?

New scales are probably going to help a lot, those look heavy.

I have a Ken Powell blade too, great blade, I bought it pretty cheap on ebay as the guy did not like the heft of it.


The scales were HUGE, I actually shortened them, where the wedge pin was is now the end of the scales and I took off about 1/4 of the width of them.

From heel to toe it's 3.75" long. The spine is quarter of an inch thick and the blade is nearly 1.25" wide. I think shortening the length as you said is possible but decreasing the width I'm not so sure about as the shoulder is quite prominent and grinding that would be incredible work. New scales would help.

Originally Posted by animalwithin

From heel to toe it's 3.75" long. The spine is quarter of an inch thick and the blade is nearly 1.25" wide. I think shortening the length as you said is possible but decreasing the width I'm not so sure about as the shoulder is quite prominent and grinding that would be incredible work. New scales would help.

Can you post a picture of the blade completely open?

With a 1/4 inch spine you can bring down the blade width to about 15/16 to 8/8

Shortening is easy

Here you go Doc:



If you need a better photo, let me know.

I see what you mean about the shoulder, looks like taking odd 1/16 to 1/8 of the width should be fine.

Like others have said, bigger blades are really not that more difficult to use, none of us have 5/8 space between the nose and the start of the mustache.

I think if you just change the scales you will enjoy it more, they certainly look heavy

They're heavy and just as long if not longer than the entire razor. I'll think about it. I can either just get the scales done, or get the blade modified and get new scales, or just sell it and take the loss. Modifying the blade might prove to be too costly and maybe 1/8ths of a difference might not be enough.