Thread: First Post! How do you make a razor without grinders? (Hand-tools only)

Good day everyone!

This is my first post - I am looking for resources on how to make a razor with hand tools only. The biggest issue, mostly, is that I don't have a grinder and probably won't be having one for a long time. I do, however, have several files and am looking into getting a couple hones. I'm pretty sure there must be a way without machinery considering its long history. Does anyone know any sources on where to start?

Thanks so much in advance, and I'm thrilled to become involved with this forum and its community!

Bronwyn

Hello mbronwyn, welcome to the forum, I am sure there will be someone along shortly to point you in the right Direction.

Thanks for the welcome, scs1980

Hello, and welcome. You can certainly use files etc to end up with a razor shape. The one thing that is going to pose a problem, is the hollow. Files can get you to a triangular shape, but then you need to 'scoop out' some steel to end up with a hollow. In the olden days, they used a stone wheel to grind out the hollow. You can still find such manual turned wheels at flea markets for little money.

Failing that, you can always to it the cheap way: a curved piece of wood, coarse sandpaper, and lots of elbow grease. It will be a shallow hollow, but it will do. Just be sure to start off with the correct stock thickness so that the width - thickness ratio is between 4:1 and 3.5:1

Also keep in mind that you'll have to leave some thickness near the edge, before heat treatment. Roughly 1/16" at the edge, and you'll have to remove this after HT so doig this manually is going to be a time consuming business.

Bruno has the right idea for sure. In the "old" days they also used a forge as well to get as much of the shaping done as possible. If you don't have access to power tools, then I would guess that you don't have access to a forge as well.

A forge may be possible.. I'm still looking around for blacksmiths who may be willing to rent out a couple hours and I know someone a little further away who's willing to teach me a couple of things. For now though, I'm doing purely stock-removal to get the hang of it.

Thanks for the help Bruno.

By any chance, do you know what the manual turned wheels are called? And is there no way of hollowing it by a round file and smoothing it out via sandpaper?

What is the reason that you don't have access to power tools? If it is just money, you can set up a pretty effective "shop" for very little. If it is space, you can have some very small power tools that can be stored away when not in use.

A power drill with a grinding wheel can do in less time what a file can. Hand tools will cost you more in time than what it would cost for power tools.

Originally Posted by guitstik

A power drill with a grinding wheel can do in less time what a file can. Hand tools will cost you more in time than what it would cost for power tools.

Agreed. A $30 bench grinder can do the work of a file in very short order. It will also do a hollow grind. It is not near as good as a belt grinder, but it is miles ahead of a file with sand paper. Also, it would still be handy to have around even if you did end up getting a belt grinder later on. Sure, with a stone wheel bench grinder you will still have to use a file and sandpaper for the finish work, but it will save you multiple hours.