Thread: My second blade: brightnail

When I started this blade, I didn't know what to make. I first cut a piece off to the point, since –imho- square points are rather boring. After I did that, I was unsure on how to proceed. Then, the name ‘brightnail’ popped into my head.

You won’t recognize it if you haven’t read Tad Williams’s fantasy novel: Memory, thorn, and sorrow (4000 or so pages). Brightnail was a special sword. The point of the razor made me think of it for some reason, and I made the razor in the image of what brightnail would have looked like in my mind’s eye, had it been a razor. As soon as I did that, the shape of the razor emerged almost on its own.

I wanted the razor to look agressive, alien, and with a mind of its own. I think I succeeded. The scales were made from olive wood and the pointy ends match the blade. The end spacer was made from bone, and the third pin goes through a round piece of bone to rest the razor.

The edge is 2.25" long, and the blade is 7/8+ wide. The spine is too thin though, so I made a brass shim for honing to bring the angle to 15 degree.
EDIT: I forgot to add: the steel is Mike Blue Damascus. The stock was a scrap that Mike played with earlier. This is where I 'cheated' a bit: there was already a primary grind so I only had to refine it and even it out and then make a razor out of it.

It's not yet honed in these pics, so the bevel looks dirty. At this stage I just removed the nail polish that was used during the etch.

WOW!!! That is beautiful....It does look like it might have a mind of it's own. Different, but in a good way. I can't wait to hear what kind of shave she delivers. GREAT JOB!!

Great job, razor looks gorgeous.

really beautiful !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have to say I am pleased with the grain of the olivewood.
I cut 2 pieces from a block of olivewood to make the scales. And getting a nice grain structure is a bit of a hit or miss.

Hopefully I'll be able to hone it tomorrow afternoon and have a testshave.

Originally Posted by Bruno

... Then, the name ‘brightnail’ popped into my head.

You won’t recognize it if you haven’t read Tad Williams’s fantasy novel: Memory, thorn, and sorrow (4000 or so pages)...

I need a memory jog - that's one of the books in his 3 or 4 book Dragonbone Chair series, isn't it? (Been about 15 or so years since I read the series so can't quite remember for sure.)

Anyhow, very nice piece of work!

Great series...i've read it many times. Very appropriate, name for such a beautiful straight.

Mac

Originally Posted by Bruno

I have to say I am pleased with the grain of the olivewood.
I cut 2 pieces from a block of olivewood to make the scales. And getting a nice grain structure is a bit of a hit or miss.

Hopefully I'll be able to hone it tomorrow afternoon and have a testshave.

I have to agree, the wood grain also compliments the metal grain well so it doesn't look to "noisy". Although you may not need to sharpen it, I bet that razor could just charm the hair right off your face.

Overall, I like it.

The scale shape doesn't appeal to me, personally, but I do like the blade. The notch around the shank is cool, and the actual shape of the blade face and edge reminds me of some of the "saves" guys have done when there is a cracked heel.

I've been honing for 2 hours and the bevels aren't even set properly.
Near the toe I am getting close to a good thumbnailtest. The rest of the blade is not close.

I have alternated between my norton 1K and DMT8C, but it is going exceedingly slow. I suspect the edge was rather thick, and I know the steel is rather hard. Looking with hindsight, I should have ground the blade thinner near the edge so that I didn't need to remove so much metal.

I've stopped honing for today. Hopefully I'll get the bevels ready tomorrow or the day after.