Steampunk 13/16

I've been wanting to make a Steampunk razor ever since I saw Tim (tumtatty) do a few back in 2011, but I was just waiting for the right blade.
This Birko Best (Solingen) seemed like a great choice.
The blade was hand sanded before being etched with vinegar to restore that grey patina.
The scales are Jarrah, with a CA finish, and the gears are all either pinned or glued or both, in position.
The inlay came off the original scales. This was my first attempt at a transfer, and after a little advice from Glen, it worked out OK. Not perfect but OK.
The wedge is cow bone.

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I spent more hours on this than I anticipated, all those gears and hardware were a PITA, but at the end of it all I'm pretty pleased how it turned out.
I just test shaved it a few minutes ago, and the shave was amazing.

Thanks
Grant

I agree those steampunk scales are very cool. How does it handle with all of those gears and pipes protruding out? Does it make it more difficult, or might it give extra grip. Either way it looks really nice.

Very, Very cool, Grant.
Youv'e done a wonderful job once again.
I still admire the Bengall you did awhile back.
This one will be in SOTD shortly i take it? :deal:

Cheers,
Paul

Nice to see something different.

Turned out great man! Good job. :)

But where did you hide the micro steam boiler on it is what I want to know ?.......Sheer genius !:)

Very cool looking! i can see spending a lot of time getting all the small part to fit on the scales, great work! Enjoy!

Very cool man!

That....is absolutely, truly, phenomenal. Outstanding work.

Thats pretty cool Grant. Turned out well and a neat design you came up with there. Nicely done.

unreal!! that looks sick man!!

Grant,

I really like steampunk too, and you did a really nice job with your razor. I think the little steam pipes are my favorite, very creative!! Enjoyed looking at it, and keep having fun!!! :D

Howard :)

Full Steam Ahead, I really like the steam pipes on the sides.

Charlie

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When I saw the simple scale pics coming up on FB I couldn't wait to see your take on Steampunk Grant, this is the first one I have seen that looks like it balances, it doesn't look super scale heavy like the rest I have seen..
I love your take on it..

Transfers are the Devils playground hehehe, you have to build a perfect set of scales... Then after that you have to take the chance of wrecking the whole thing and the inlay, when you do the transfer, nerve-racking to say the least :p Very nicely done my friend :tu

Great work Grant.
The detail and craftsmanship on those scales are topnotch.

Looking good Grant, looking very good.

Love it, very nice! There is something intriguing about it, spurs the imagination. Thanks for sharing.

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Originally Posted by coachschaller

How does it handle with all of those gears and pipes protruding out? Does it make it more difficult, or might it give extra grip.

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When I stroped and shaved with it last night, I was surprised. I thought it might be a little awkward, but It really isnt.
My hand actually has very little contact with the scales apart from a couple of fingers around the pivot pin

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Originally Posted by SirStropalot

I think the little steam pipes are my favorite, very creative!!

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Originally Posted by spazola

Full Steam Ahead, I really like the steam pipes on the sides.

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Thanks guys, they weren't actually part of the original design, but when I thought of it I was pretty excited. I think they look cool too.

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Originally Posted by gssixgun

Transfers are the Devils playground hehehe, you have to build a perfect set of scales... Then after that you have to take the chance of wrecking the whole thing and the inlay, when you do the transfer, nerve-racking to say the least :p

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You got that right. I wanted to use acrylics, just so if things went bad I wouldnt have lost so much work, but I just dont think it would have suited the theme.

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Originally Posted by gssixgun

this is the first one I have seen that looks like it balances, it doesn't look super scale heavy like the rest I have seen..

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Thanks mate, the balance isnt too bad. When you throw this much hardware on the scales your going to have to compromise balance to a degree, but it didnt turn out to be too much.
IIRC the original scales were 14 grams, and the new ones are 18 grams, so were still in the ball park.

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Thanks for all the kind words fellas.
Grant

Grant, absolutely fantastic. I really like your take on the steam punk. I like the way it has some depth/texture on the scales.

Stu

Very nice!! I love the patina on the blade. Do you have any pics before and after you etched the finish? Also, can you expand on how you did it?

Really cool stuff..

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Originally Posted by MikekiM

Very nice!! I love the patina on the blade. Do you have any pics before and after you etched the finish? Also, can you expand on how you did it?

Really cool stuff..

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Agreed, the finish on that blade is great, and in my opinion, just as steampunk as the scales. Excellent work!

Georgious razor im a sucker for steampunk cant wait to hear more on how she shaves

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Originally Posted by Deerhunter1995

Georgious razor im a sucker for steampunk cant wait to hear more on how she shaves

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Check it out in Shave of the Day.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/shave...ml#post1150294

~Paul

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Originally Posted by MikekiM

Very nice!! I love the patina on the blade. Do you have any pics before and after you etched the finish? Also, can you expand on how you did it?

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Sorry, I didnt take any pics right before etching, but IIRC the blade was hand sanded with 400, 600 & 800 grits before etching. Nice and quick compared to an average restoration.
Then I etched it pretty much just like Charlie does in this clip.

Etching A Blade With Hot Vinegar - YouTube

And the first shave was amazing, it took a fantastic edge.

Thanks
Grant