Alex Jacques Custom Damascus

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11-28-2009, 04:41 AM
Philadelph

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Alex Jacques Custom Damascus

Alex Jacques fully custom Damascus (pattern welded steel) straight razor, ~15/16”, wedge/quarter hollow grind (I don’t like knit-picking grinds, see photos 5-8 below), thin carbon fiber 6k weave scales, G11 wedge. The Damascus was custom made by the well known knifemaker and damascus producer Delbert Ealy. It is an O1/L6 combination ideal for straight razors. The pivot pin is made of a barrel pivot with torx screws. The scales are thin, UV resistant carbon fiber and feel GREAT in hand.

A NOTE on the Photos below: Keep in mind that these photos are pre-honing (the edge in the photos looks thick/blemished doesn’t it? lol). Along the edge of the razor you may notice a shiny strip where the steel is not etched though- this is not the honed bevel, but rather a section where I used a ‘resist’ to keep the etch from bringing out the pattern in the steel. Some makers argue that this makes it easier to hone a good edge and prevents the etching process from pitting the edge of the razor. After honing, I found no real need for it. I probably will not do this on future razors, but on this particular piece, it does not affect the razor’s functionality or aesthetics in any way.
11-28-2009, 05:05 AM
JimmyHAD

Killer job Alex. If that was mine I would call it the Black Beauty. :tu
11-28-2009, 05:18 AM
richmondesi

Wow, that's stunning, Alex. Very well done, Sir :nj
11-28-2009, 05:38 AM
zib

Back in Black Alex....Good work...
11-28-2009, 06:03 AM
DubiousAtBest

That is a fearsome looking piece. Well, there's another maker on the list of people I need custom razors from!
11-28-2009, 06:11 AM
spazola

Way to go! That is beautiful design and execution.

I have been waiting for you would start posting your own creations. It was worth the wait.

Charlie
11-28-2009, 06:13 AM
JMS

:eek::eek:Damn!!
Great job Alex!!!
11-28-2009, 06:23 AM
bpave777

Congrats Alex! That is so damn cool. It would look awesome on the shelf next to the other four razors I have of yours <g>
11-28-2009, 06:24 AM
DerekC

Totally digging the Damascus matched to the carbon fiber. Bucephalus, for sure. You say the C/F feels great in-hand? Is the weighting thrown off?
11-28-2009, 06:25 AM
ChrisL

I've figured you've been hard at work lately. The results here certainly bear that out. Top notch, Alex. Thanks for showing us your work here.

Chris L
11-28-2009, 08:41 AM
ben.mid

That is such a cool razor! I absolutely love it!
11-28-2009, 10:44 AM
ChrisMeyer

Gorgeous! http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ns/thumbup.gif
I love the way you added your logo too.
11-28-2009, 11:29 AM
ignatz

Just out of mild curiousity, what was the etching medium (acid?) and how long did the blade remain in the bath?
11-28-2009, 01:23 PM
aroliver59

Beautiful,Alex.I knew you were getting into pounding and grinding some customs,and I expected something was coming along.It looks great.Another quality piece we have come to expect from you.
11-28-2009, 04:11 PM
bassguy

this isn't helping what we talked about Alex :P
looks great!
11-28-2009, 05:25 PM
persco

God, you make nice looking stuff, Alex!

s.
11-28-2009, 05:28 PM
AirColorado

Outstanding! Looks like it should be called Darth Vader! Fantastic job Alex!
11-28-2009, 05:52 PM
ursus

+1 on the black beauty. Great work, mate!
11-28-2009, 09:52 PM
SiRed8

So awesome! Always like CF. This reminds me of Tu Nero F430. Exotic, menacing and beaut to boot.

Hows balance Alex? Thanks
11-28-2009, 10:59 PM
Philadelph

Thanks everyone!

Quote:

Originally Posted by DerekC

You say the C/F feels great in-hand? Is the weighting thrown off?

Quote:

Originally Posted by SiRed8

Hows balance Alex? Thanks

The weight/balance is great. It's not thrown off or anything. It does balance on your finger at the tang or whatever, but I'm not a believer that that means anything anyway. The balance point is always changing depending on the angle and position of the scales anyway. Really, a blade will only be off balance with super heavy scales. Light weight scales, as long as they are in proportion and done well, really make no negative impact.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ignatz

Just out of mild curiousity, what was the etching medium (acid?) and how long did the blade remain in the bath?

Ferric Chloride. I can't tell you exactly how long the etching was- it's a trial and error thing until you have the feel for it. Basically, I didn't have the clock timing it lol.
11-29-2009, 02:22 AM
Del1r1um

If batman used a straight, it would probably be something like this... very cool Alex!
12-02-2009, 05:54 AM
Allen

That's incredible! I am now a fan of carbon fiber scales :)

Your emblem is awesome, as well.
12-02-2009, 10:33 AM
Joed

Superb! Love your work. Your love of straight razors is very apparent in this custom razor and I am anxiously awaiting your future work. :tu :tu :bow
12-02-2009, 03:27 PM
L R Harner

im sure that razor will be out the door in no time
12-10-2009, 11:32 AM
Garry

I absolutely love it ... feels so nice in your hands and shaves just as well .. the Etching is nice and deep which the pics don't show well but in person .. ooooooooftt lovely ..

Alex .. I'll be speaking to you soon .. I want another :D

cheers ... Garry
12-10-2009, 11:35 AM
Jimbo

Tremendous! And congrats Garry!

James.
12-11-2009, 09:31 PM
TheBeardedCommodore

I was just about to do 4 customs in carbon fiber but wanst sure how it would look and now im posative its the answer. Beautiful razor.
12-11-2009, 10:00 PM
niftyshaving

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philadelph

Alex Jacques fully custom Damascus (pattern welded steel) straight razor, ~15/16”, wedge/quarter hollow grind
..........

Beautiful. How does it shave?
I love those scales.

I have a Damascus folding pocket that takes a wicked
sharp edge.....
12-11-2009, 11:02 PM
Philadelph

Quote:

Originally Posted by niftyshaving

How does it shave?

See post #25 above.

Thanks again guys. More on the way.
12-11-2009, 11:05 PM
niftyshaving

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philadelph

See post #25 above.

Thanks again guys. More on the way.

How the heck did I miss that post.
Thanks....
01-01-2010, 01:16 PM
Strapped-4-Cache

Loosely paraphrasing a passage in Mark Twain's "Life on the Mississippi":

"When I was a new forum member, there was but one permanent ambition among my comrades. That was, to be the owner of a custom-made razor. We had transient ambitions of other sorts, but they were only transient. When a new honing material was found, it left us all burning to acquire some of it; the first group buy of Gold Dollar razors left us all suffering to have our own personal seven-day sets; now and then we had a hope that if we lived and were good, God would permit us to be pirates. These ambitions faded out, each in its turn; but the ambition to be the owner of a custom-made razor always remained."

This razor is the inspiration for my modification of that passage, and nothing could be more true in my mind. I hope to one day be able to commission my own razor, choose the materials and provide the design. Until that day I am thoroughly enjoying seeing all of the amazing work that is being done by Alex and others.

That is one beautiful razor.

- Mark (S-4-C)
01-01-2010, 06:06 PM
Philadelph

I should be posting pics of another today- look out! lol
01-01-2010, 06:31 PM
shutterbug

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philadelph

I should be posting pics of another today- look out! lol

That aught to get the year off to a good start. *grin*