strictly utilitarian tool.......

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10-09-2011, 03:50 AM
paco664

strictly utilitarian tool.......

some of you guys will remember i have made a few razors in the past.... nothing fancy... just tools to remove hair....

i am that kind of guy... i really don't need fancy... i just need useful.... so anyway i have been wanting a big razor for quite a while and i have tried sniping a few chopper W&B's on ebay with no success so i took matters into my own hands...

i started with a piece of 01 tool steel... heated it up to non-magnetic and then let it cool.... i used the stock removal method and made this bigass wedge.... i then heat treated it quenched it in mobil 629 synthetic hydraulic fluid.... then baked it @ 400 for 2 hours .... i then did the finish grinding on a 185rpm wet grinding wheel....

i have not polished it out because i don't think there is enough elbow grease in the world to do it by hand with sand paper..... seriously..... it hardly scratches it.... lol.....

oddly enough it wasn't hard to hone.... the bevel set quickly with a med ark stone.... then to the 1k waterstone... then a kiss by the 4k norton... then 6k waterstone... 8k norton... c12k w/diamond slurry...... it is a whisker chopping monster.....

measuring 8/8ths *(maybe just a CH more than that) it is heavy and wide.... you know you have a tool in your hand..... i have been using it now for a week with every improving results.... before each shave i use a series of pasted strops on it.... starting with alum oxide then to cerium oxide to chromium oxide then .5micron diamond then cloth and leather.....

it is a pleasure to shave with and it is nice to have something that hits in my big paws.....

enjoy... remember.. this ain't for pretty.... this is a tool....

http://i486.photobucket.com/albums/r...0-08224211.jpg
http://i486.photobucket.com/albums/r...0-08224149.jpg
http://i486.photobucket.com/albums/r...0-08224227.jpg
http://i486.photobucket.com/albums/r...0-08224237.jpg
10-09-2011, 04:03 AM
spazola

I like your attitude and your razor.

Charlie
10-09-2011, 04:06 AM
paco664

Quote:

Originally Posted by spazola

I like your attitude and your razor.

Charlie

coming from you that is a great compliment.... thank you... one day i hope to make razors as beautiful as the ones you make....
10-09-2011, 04:09 AM
Noswad

The toolman would be proud. arhhh arhhh arhhh arhhh arhhhhhhhh
10-09-2011, 04:11 AM
cjglancy

but can you cut a steak with it?
10-09-2011, 04:23 AM
paco664

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjglancy

but can you cut a steak with it?

i do believe.... lol... i "bumped" my cheek with it tonight while shaving and it gave me a nice kiss.... i do believe it will carve up a porterhouse..... lol....
10-09-2011, 05:14 AM
mjhammer

An American kamisori or whatever they are called. Great looking wedge man.

That's right, if you have the skill to make that, you can make it look like anything you want bro! I love it. Simple, technical as heck in reality, and hardcore. I think it is beautiful. Eye of the beholder, etc..

Amazing job man, heck of a skill.

M
10-09-2011, 01:16 PM
ScottGoodman

I really like your can-do attitude. The blade is utilitarian, but that's how you designed it. My only question about it, considering it's a true wedge, is how are you honing it...as the bevel doesn't look as large as I would have expected.
Scott
10-09-2011, 01:46 PM
nun2sharp

Quote:

Originally Posted by shooter74743

I really like your can-do attitude. The blade is utilitarian, but that's how you designed it. My only question about it, considering it's a true wedge, is how are you honing it...as the bevel doesn't look as large as I would have expected.
Scott

Tape? (more characters to meet the minimum, please disregard)
10-09-2011, 03:33 PM
paco664

Quote:

Originally Posted by shooter74743

I really like your can-do attitude. The blade is utilitarian, but that's how you designed it. My only question about it, considering it's a true wedge, is how are you honing it...as the bevel doesn't look as large as I would have expected.
Scott

Quote:

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

Tape? (more characters to meet the minimum, please disregard)

it took quite a bit of tape... lol.... i believe 4 pieces maybe 5 on each side....

i am uber careful with it because the edge really is about as close to perfect as i have ever gotten.... at work today i am going to make a holder for it from wood that will protect the edge... and probably have a magnet or 2 in it to make sure and hold it secure.... when i figure it out i will post up a photo....
10-09-2011, 05:41 PM
sharptonn

Man! That is very cool! I love the simplicity and the shape. I predict that You will be putting on some "touches" for the next one.:D ..get it on...Tom
10-09-2011, 06:27 PM
ScottGoodman

You talk about making some sort of "jig" for it, why not attach a jig to it permanently...I.E. turn it to a frame-back.

K. I. S. S...keep it super simple
10-09-2011, 06:51 PM
hoglahoo

That looks about right :)
10-09-2011, 06:58 PM
sharptonn

Quote:

Originally Posted by shooter74743

You talk about making some sort of "jig" for it, why not attach a jig to it permanently...I.E. turn it to a frame-back.

That sounds anti-tape! What did tape ever do to you? :rofl2:
10-09-2011, 07:18 PM
deighaingeal

I really like the looks of it. I would never complain about a great shaver.
I also like the idea of the frameback adapter.
If I might make a suggestion regarding your stand. I have a fair number of western fixed razors and they all have stands. The one thing that all of the stands needed was the ability to place the razor in the stand from the toe of the razor sliding in rather than straight in from the blade. this reduces the chances of the edge touching the stand thus reducing edge life.
10-10-2011, 06:17 AM
TURNMASTER

I am glad some one else has the desire to post their "ugly" blade. It helps a lot that it shaves well, did for me anyhow. I like it, it has (dare I say) a utilitarian look to it. Kind of a blue collar blade.

I find that the one I made needs a longer tang. My next "American Pattern Fixed" will be longer overall and that should make stropping easier.

How long is the cutting edge? and how is it for stropping? On thing I've learned is that stropping is as important as how it is balanced and how it hones up.

Just curious, what will you change for your next one?

Jeff
10-10-2011, 06:34 AM
paco664

Quote:

Originally Posted by deighaingeal

I really like the looks of it. I would never complain about a great shaver.
I also like the idea of the frameback adapter.
If I might make a suggestion regarding your stand. I have a fair number of western fixed razors and they all have stands. The one thing that all of the stands needed was the ability to place the razor in the stand from the toe of the razor sliding in rather than straight in from the blade. this reduces the chances of the edge touching the stand thus reducing edge life.

would you mind showing me a photo of one of them to gimme a idea??? porfa?? *(thats cuban for porfavor)
10-10-2011, 10:22 AM
Str8Raz0r

Nice practical shaver. Well done.
10-12-2011, 11:51 PM
1971Wedge

Now that's just awesome, and inspiring to me, maybe someday....stroking beard here...
10-13-2011, 01:13 AM
mjhammer

I keep coming back to this thread. I can't stop looking at it. Now that is a razor, man. The more I look at it the better it keeps looking.

I'm awed at your skill man.

M
10-13-2011, 01:18 AM
paco664

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjhammer

I keep coming back to this thread. I can't stop looking at it. Now that is a razor, man. The more I look at it the better it keeps looking.

I'm awed at your skill man.

M

thanks.... but it ain't nothing that special really....
10-13-2011, 02:07 AM
mjhammer

Quote:

Originally Posted by paco664

thanks.... but it ain't nothing that special really....

Really??? hmmm, let me see, you had to think of it, you had to have the steel, you had to grind, temper, I don't know whatever else, before it could even be honed. What it might have taken to get an edge, only you would know. If it shaves good, you have done a thing that not just anyone could do. Pretty cool.

M
10-13-2011, 02:24 AM
paco664

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjhammer

Really??? hmmm, let me see, you had to think of it, you had to have the steel, you had to grind, temper, I don't know whatever else, before it could even be honed. What it might have taken to get an edge, only you would know. If it shaves good, you have done a thing that not just anyone could do. Pretty cool.

M

Thank you very much...
10-13-2011, 10:14 AM
TURNMASTER

mjhammer is right about the not just anyone thing.

Jeff
10-13-2011, 10:22 AM
jfleming9232

That is an awesome piece. Straightforward, no nonsense, good old-fashoined git-r-doneness. My hat's off to you!