Thread: Custom Hand File Razor

Indeed, Billy Baroo turned out nice! Tarkus and I talked often of design and function. I am guilty of encouraging classic design and fit. The only mistakes made were in the double stabilizer and (possibly) material. The ridge of the stabilizer gave me fits. Every time I thought it was gone, I would put it to the DMT and it would fall off the ridge and I would lose heel. This is why it smiles so! I finally got really aggressive and got it to go. Honing was different. I found that the file steel was super hard, yet brittle. It surely did not like the DMT as it was a literal saw after. A technique of slurrying my Norton 1000 and bringing the bevel in slowly yeilded fine results , Then 4000/8000 and finished on a Barber's hone(did not like a Naniwa 12000 either!). Breadboarded and started over 3 times. Got oversharpened and raspy easily, so the last go was quite mild. It shaves nicely, with a very different sound as it sings! A very heavy shaver, I am glad Tarkus went with the lead wedge! I think this will work with a leather only regimen, but time will tell. Another friend lazer etched the tangs in his spare time at work. A beautiful piece with wonderful scales and a tight fit. A great job of machine work here from a Professional Toolmaker! Me? I am a hammer and screwdriver guy!
Nice work and excellent outcome, My Friend! Super fun working with you, as usual! Congratulations on a job well done!
Tom