Quote Originally Posted by neg View Post
Well, it doesn't look like anybody's going to take me up on this, but for what it's worth, here's the razor I ended up forging. It's from an old nicholson file, and even if nobody wants to help me out with it, it was still good practice.
It isn't that nobody wants to help you out, but rather you haven't made your proposition clear enough. Why do you want a file razor - just because you have a lot of files you've bought? If you are trying to save money what you are looking for is commissioning a custom made razor where you supply the steel.
It will cost you more than simply commissioning a razor because you are asking the person to use a completely unknown material with initial properties that are unsuitable for the work (it's already hardened steel) - it takes more expertise and more work to make a razor out of such material than starting with something with well known properties.
Would you be willing to pay the much higher price? Are you willing to accept the chances that your file may not make a good razor, so you'd essentially spend all that money for a decoration?

If so contact the various custom makers to discuss your project - some do not do such things, somebody may be interested but you need to be the one who is proactive. Those who are good tend to have plenty of work than to pursue somebody else's vague project.