These are the first razors I have made?

Hello to All

The two razors featured below are my first attempt at making straight razors. I have been toying with the idea for a while and I have experimented on bits of steel to get the grind right etc.
What i would like to present to you in this post is two razors both made entirely from scratch.

The first is a Damasteel, Odins eye pattern with Rhodesian teak scales, a mammoth ivory spacer, copper pins and a copper and brass hinge pin combo.
The second is also Damasteel steel in the Bjorkmann twist pattern with bone scales an Ebony spacer copper pins and the same hint pin arrangement.

I would really appreciate it if you "razor pro's" could give me some constructive criticism. I am a hobby knife maker who delved into the razor field when I was inspired by some of the beautiful work I saw on this site. I know absolutely nothing about the traditions of razors so forgive any "common" errors that may be in my work??

Probably the hardest thing about this whole project was setting the edge......... to get these things to cut a hanging hair was about 4 hours work on each blade. It was however worth it there is a definite sense of satisfaction in taking a hair and simply popping it without any effort. Without further a due here are my creations.

Thank you for looking
Chris.
Link removed per SRP rules (The Mod Team)

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/t...s/DSC05631.jpg
http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/t...s/DSC05632.jpg
http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/t...s/DSC05634.jpg
http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/t...s/DSC05636.jpg
http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/t...s/DSC05635.jpg
http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/t...s/DSC05637.jpg

I'm a neophyte to straight razors; however, those are the most beautiful I've seen.

Very Nice work,Wellcome to the site.

Those are very nice for a first try.

I find it hard to belive that those are your first str8s. Your eye for details has served you well my freind. I'm no "razor pro" but I know what I like and what looks good and this do. Keep having fun with it you are doing VERY well. :tu
Rich.
P.S The bone scale one puts to mind a Saber tooth tigers tooth. LOL

Thank you all very much for your kind words, greatly appreciated.

Rich, they are the first and I am quite happy with the results I will be doing some more. In this batch I made 4 razors two in damascus and two in RWL 34 which still need scales my plan is to make one with mokume scales. I think the contrast between the stainless blade and the Mokume will be quite something.

Regards to All
Chris.

Excellent work! I have not seen the copper pins before. I really like them. The teak is one of my favorite wood. Look forward to see the others after you have added scales.

Wow, beautiful! Love the patterns on the steel.

Your scales are too wide, and the spines look to be too narrow for proper honing of blades that large.
The workmanship looks nice.

I'm in agreement with HNSB.

A razor the size of those with mokume scales would be visually stunning. Probably be rather heavy as well.

Your craftsmanship is top notch from what I can see.

Great job for the beginning. I'm sure it will only get better.

SALUD!
Willie

I Cant see any dimensions written here or on his page so wonder if you have more info then the rest of us since you say its to narrow! Looks nice even thou damascus aint my style,realy like the shape of the blades

Well the craftsmanship looks very nice, im not so sure about choosing copper for pins is a good choice with "vert de gris"
and something going on with the spine hence the big bevel! but the real question is how do they shave?
maybe you should send one to me as a gift to test the edge?

Your craftsmanship fit and finish all look great. The dimensions and proportions seem a little off. I think the scales need to be scaled down and thinned out. The total angle of the blade needs to be somewhere around 16 degrees.

Do you use a straight razor? If not, I would get one and study it.

You are off to a good start. If I were in your shoes, I would make some razors and shave with them for awhile to see what works and what does not. Use your own razors then use some factory made razors see how they compare.

Charlie

Great first shot!!! They look wonderful.

Nice choice of materials and excellent workmanship.
Excellent first two razors.

Stu

Quote:

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Originally Posted by HNSB

Your scales are too wide, and the spines look to be too narrow for proper honing of blades that large.
The workmanship looks nice.

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HNSB

Thanks for the advice. How does the width of the scale affect the use? I would have thought that the wider the more comfortable in the hand? Perhaps I should try shaving with one??

Re the spines they are 4mm wide and were a bugger to get an edge on? That makes sense. Thanks for your input.

Chris

Quote:

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Originally Posted by spazola

Your craftsmanship fit and finish all look great. The dimensions and proportions seem a little off. I think the scales need to be scaled down and thinned out. The total angle of the blade needs to be somewhere around 16 degrees.

Do you use a straight razor? If not, I would get one and study it.

You are off to a good start. If I were in your shoes, I would make some razors and shave with them for awhile to see what works and what does not. Use your own razors then use some factory made razors see how they compare.

Charlie

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Hi Charlie

Thanks for the comments.

Re the angle is that 16degrees total or 16 per side 32 in total? These blades are about 8 degrees total??? I will definitely look into the proportions HNSB also commented on this. You guys are the experts so I will try find out more about how these blades are all supposed to mach up. Any suggestions as to web sites where I could get this info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for the comments

Chris.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Martin103

Well the craftsmanship looks very nice, im not so sure about choosing copper for pins is a good choice with "vert de gris"
and something going on with the spine hence the big bevel! but the real question is how do they shave?
maybe you should send one to me as a gift to test the edge?

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Hi Martin

Good point on the copper pins???? I never thought about vert de gris development, it may however add to the look after a while? I was just having fun putting the scales on, basically with no guide lines to go by that is why the replies and the information furnished by people on this site is so important to me. The good thing is that it will only improve from here on.

Thanks

Chris.

Very nice pair of razors, being a big fan and collector of custom knives, i would love to see a few more well known knife makers producing razors to be honest, especially given the steels and materials we have today, one question for you before i go, you obviously tempered and hardened the steel before you ground the edge i'm thinking because of the fragile nature and how thin the razors edge his?

Jamie.

From the questions yer asking I am getting the impression that you haven't really looked at a Straight razor..

When I started restoring razors the first step was to get my hands on several different styles and tear them down, and I measured everything, and really looked to see why those old farts over the last 250 years did things the way they did...

Things that "Look" good don't always perfrom good... Balance, width, the fact that the copper pins will rust the steel in the pivot faster, the thinkness of the scales hurt the stropping, and allow no Bow/Flex in the scales and you used a spacer and not a wedge,, Also the Tang looks a bit short but I can't really tell from the pics, but with big heavy blades people have to get their fingers in for a good solid hold..all these things affect performance...

Get some razors, get your Calipers out, and take the time to learn the art of straight razors, then put them back together and shave with the Vintage ones and really learn what is important..


No offense intended here you asked what was wrong... On the good side as the others have pointed out you have the skills down pat :)


Edit: ps There is no better resource for the skinny and the truth about Straight Razors then right here...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by HNSB

Your scales are too wide, and the spines look to be too narrow for proper honing of blades that large.
The workmanship looks nice.

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They look fantastic, but may lack in the function department. The correct blade geometry will be necessary to hone a strong edge. Other than that beautiful pieces. The only other thing that stood out were you pins. If you could get those smoother, that would really look nice.

I will be keeping an eye out for your next piece.

The main problem in my eyes with these is the steel. Damasteel and ATS 34 would never be my first choice for straight razors. Damasteel is a powder metallurgy steel, not bad für a kitchen or a hunting knife, but not as fine grained, as a high carbon steel or a pattern welded steel from such steels. Same with ATS-34 (or 154CM), if you really want to use a stainless steel for straight razors, please take AEB-L with the right heat treatment. For more information about this special, steel look here: FAQ | DevinThomas.com | Damascus & Custom Knives

WOW the craftsmanship on those blades are just awesome

Just a quick note.......

1. I like your work. It is very good for a "first" razor.

2. Blade proportions...... Spazola gave you the first concrete suggestion, 16 degrees angle.
Here is the rough rule of thumb....the thickness of the spine multiplied by 3.5 up to 4.0 will equal the maximum width of the blade. As an example, if the thickness of the spine is 1/4" then the maximum width of the blade will be between 7/8" up to 1". This will result in a bevel which is narrow and easier to hone and also stronger.
As you have now experienced first hand a razor with a thin spine and a wide blade width results in a difficult, time consuming to hone razor with a wide bevel. It is also prone to micro-chipping at the higher grits such as 8000+. Also, try to keep the HRC between 58 - 61. below 58 and the steel is to soft to hold an edge and above 61 ( actually 60) and it becomes difficult to hone.

Hope this helps, :)

What can I say fellows? Your input is /will be invaluable and I will surely use it in my next batch. Its a good thing I didn't post the RWL blades they are only 3mm thick on the spines???

To start answering:
VictorM - Re the pins on the bone handle- I liked the rustic look of pins that had been peened and were sitting proud, it was also an exercise in peening 2mm copper pins which went quite well. I hear what you say about the smooth look of the pins and appreciate your input. Thanks.

Buddel - Not sure I agree with you on the Damasteel grain size? I will definitely look into this and do some research into this area. I will get back to you on this. As far as I understand the whole thing about RSPS is that the grain size is very small in fact smaller than the 12C27's etc?

Randydance062449 - PM sent! Thank you for the information. You are spot on with the honing it literally took me about 4 hours to get that bone blade to "hair popping" I really appreciate the input Thank you.

To everyone who has commented: THANK YOU GUYS: I had to start somewhere and what better place to get advice. Thank you for the compliments and the constructive criticism I will start on new blades this weekend and keep you posted. Razors are definitely a lot of fun to make, I must say I enjoyed making these guys to the max!

Take care

Chris.

Keep at it Chris,you have some very envious talents.

if you look at the old frame-backs you see the thin blade with what looks like an attached tube on the spine. years ago blade smiths was working on a slip on tube to protect his thinner spines and pretty steel work. a simple way to get the spine width without all the heavy steel all the time.

jim

They look AWESOME for a first try, the tangs look a bit thin and the way you have your spines might end up getting your cutting edge into a "frown" other than that those are relics because they are your first razors and you seem to have GREAT SKILLS!!! keep it up!!!

Your talent is top notch. The experts said what needed said as to functionality, but just wanted to say "Great job!". I'm very impressed with what you've done. But yeah, I'm a little surprised you never thought about shaving with one. Then again I shave with one everyday, and never thought about making one. So there you go. :)

Chris, nice looking work. You have the fit and finish looking good. Like the copper pins. You have heard the criticisms. 16 degrees included angle (ish). I suspect this angle can vary a bit with steel choice, just as with knives. Finer steel grain is better for a finer cutting edge.

Jeff