Thread: Sleepless? Forge stuff!

Manchester, your blade looks way nicer than mine! I'm still happy with it, because it IS my first try after all, so mistakes are to be expected. here is a look at how its coming along.
I have also heat treated it now, but would like some advice on the tempering. I shined it up a bit before putting in the oven, and set oven for 350 degrees. Left it there for about an hour and half. Still shining, no yellow yet. Currently cooling off to room temp before the second temper. Is it safe to leave it tempered at low temps like that? maybe triple tempered to be sure? Or would it be wiser to up the temperature a little bit until I see that golden straw color?

I asked the same question which was answered in this thread, http://straightrazorpalace.com/forge...or-file-2.html From my limited experience with razors and more with knives I'd say tempering at 350' at an hour has relieved the stress from forging which is good. I do that with anything I forge even when I don't heat treat. For a knife I temper at 400' for an hour, which is what I'd do in your case.

For some odd reason I could not get the oven to stabilize at 400. I could get it to stay right at 360. Right at 380 and right at 420 So, I did a second heat for an hour and 20 minutes at 380. Figured that to be safe enough, and it came out with the ever oh so slightest hint of yellowing, so I am calling this good.
I have ground it some, achieving a fair hollow (no easy task on a bench grinder!) Before I go any further though, I want to hone it up and make sure it even takes an edge. The final dimensions of the blade are 6/8 by a little less than 1/8
I know there is a magic ration of spine to blade width, which I believe was 4/1? That would make this too sharp of an angle. Anybody think two layers of tape will be enough to give it a good show of what its capable of? or should I work up some sort of frameback for it? Here is how it looks at the moment... (I think its progressing nicely)

The downside of 2 layers of tape is the cushioning effect, making it a bit harder to get a precise honing angle.
The ratio should be between 4/1 and 3/1.
An option would be to make a brass shim that can slide over the spine for honing. That's what I did a couple of times.

i thought i had always heard 4:1 to 3.5:1 was the common range for vintage razors.. will 3:1 still work?

Yes. The difference in angle isn't that dramatic. 3.5 is a good result to shoot for. That way you have a bit of margin either way.

Yea, its being a pain. Looks like a brass rail is in order. Thats going to have to wait until after I get done putting a new roof on the house. Not a lot of free time this month.

Originally Posted by Magpie

Yea, its being a pain. Looks like a brass rail is in order. Thats going to have to wait until after I get done putting a new roof on the house. Not a lot of free time this month.

But are you having fun

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

But are you having fun

Hmmm, 18 square of dimensional shingles up two stories by ladder, with a bad knee, a bad back, and 2 herniated disc in my neck BY MY SELF........yes, having fun yet.... Maybe next time I think about it I will laugh maniacally from the special room in the ward I will be in.

Originally Posted by Magpie

Bruno? Charlie? any thoughts?

You can weld the hole shut and drill another hole if you want to. You can grind the heel like Bruno suggested. You can chalk it up to learning and make another razor.

I think you are off to a great start.

Maybe try correcting the banana shape as you forge. Learn to make a blade without a curve. Then go back and make smiling blades or straight blades. It is nice to have control over the process.

Again I think you are doing great. Make more razors and learn from you mistakes. I am learning everyday ( I make mistakes every day ).

Charlie