Thread: My First Ever Custom

Lost my job recently (still looking for a new one ) so tried to put all my spare time to good use.

Found an old sheffield file in the shed and instantly knew what I wanted to do with it.
Not got many tools but I do have a bench grinder and an engineering background so got to work.

First built a forge which cost me nothing, just an old oven tray and a stainless dog bowl I had lying around.
Annealed the file.
Made the razor shape and rough grind leaving a little on for final machine & polish.
Normalised X3
Quenched in warm oil
Tempered X2 @ 475F for 4hrs total.
Finish machine and polish.


Came up with this...
Blade is 17/16 around 1/4 hollow, original file teeth are still on top of the spine, scales are buffalo horn, wedge is a piece cut of the Mrs chopping board. Really looking forwards to her finding out !
Pins are brass, inside washers are brass, outside washers are stainless.



Shall get it honed in a day or two and see how well it shaves.

Was fun to make and I'm pleased with the result. let me know what you guys think.

Andy.

Thats a great looking blade..especially for your first go at it. Nicely done and yes, definately let us know how it shaves

Excellent work, did you use an 8" wheel on your bench grinder for all the work, or drop to a 6"?

Originally Posted by tiddle

Excellent work, did you use an 8" wheel on your bench grinder for all the work, or drop to a 6"?

Only have 6" wheels.

Cool beans, I have been putting off doing this myself saving for a belt grinder, and finally decided eh...if an abrasive wheels has worked for the past 2 centuries or so, it's good enough for me! Thanks for the convincing post mate, cheers!

Well done. Lovely Razor.

Fantastic work!

Hope you are forgiven for the chopping board.

WOW! really nice work.

You can sure be proud of that razor. She is beautifully done. Let us know how she shaves.

Nicely done sir! I like the fact that your wedge is a piece of the misses chopping board... I have only been here a short time and I am still awestruck when a member posts up a beautifully done handcrafted razor and says that it is their first. It gives me hope that one day maybe I can make one myself.

I would speculate that you will get many PM with regards to this razor, list it in the classifieds also. Good luck with finding new employment.