Design feedback please

Well sending it out will also give you amazing feedback on your design and execution too. That is a great plan. I know a guy In Loydminster Canada that makes knives and razors and send his to a guy in Edmonton for sharpening, he could do it himself but likes the feedback and the guy in Edmonton is very good. You need to find someone a little closer. There is a guy with an ad in the classifieds section that is relatively near you, same country at least.
Razor Services in OZ by Oz - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

Thanks very much RezDog,

I have contacted Oz and had quick reply. Seems he's the man for the job and its only a day or so postage to his location so will work nicely and I agree that I will get some valuable feedback. I'm enjoying making it so will try for some more traditional styles and hopefully create a bit of work for him.

Now to decide on scales... Osange Orange or ringed gidgee... and to work out how to drill the wedge straight?!?! That should be fun :)

There are several threads on wedge and scale making.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...wers-here.html
That sticky has a ton and a half of information including wedge and scale making.

Did an etch today but accidentally touched the blade so it oxidized/tarnished straight away so I'll have to re-polish and do it again. Gave me a good look though. I got a very even San-Mai line on both sides so in quite happy and the ball bearing pattern along the top of the blade and spine is awesome IMO. Photos don't really do it justice...

http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/a...psmoyxgndr.jpg

http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps1tc9ua56.jpg

Cut some scales today. I will mill flat and then shape. Ringed gidgee... My favourite timber.

http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/a...psiq0j9fhk.jpg

I hope you get the scales nice and thin. They will look great but more importantly they will feel good in hand and help the razor handle well. If they are too chunky they will feel awkward especially when stropping. The transition from scales to tang won't feel right and turning the blade won't flip smoothly. Also if the razor is badly out of balance it gets weird too. I have a Wapi razor with the original stainless scales that is way out of balance and it is not a pleasure to strop.

Good to know. I'll make sure I do! I've been reading up on the threads you posted for me so once I'm happy I'll hook in and see how I go.

You will also want to make the outsides of the scales rounded so that the edges of the scales are really thin. This gives the razor a much more elegant look than clunky square cut scales.

Made a bit of progress today.

Milled the scales flat.
http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/a...psecd2mfdo.jpg

I used some contact adhesive to glue the two scales together for milling and then shaping and drilling.
http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/a...psaqxxrygq.jpg

Scales marked out.
http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/a...psmtniphrv.jpg

Decided to use some Mammoth ivory off cut for the spacer. Even off cuts are a bit hard to justify wasting so I cut this one in half and now I have a spare spacer.
http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/a...psfpcefba2.jpg

Wedges cut. Love the grain in mammoth ivory!
http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/a...pslhrc2ehb.jpg

Scales rough shaped.
http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/a...pswfuhqvlx.jpg

Checking the fit.
http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/a...pslmj4ygy2.jpg

Bits and pieces.
http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/a...psokgnuteb.jpg

I mentioned earlier that I was using micro bolts. Micro is accurate. I dropped one of the bolts and try as I might, couldn't find it. 80min round trip to pick up a spare from my mate. Lesson learnt, have spares or be far more careful!!
http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/a...psm8ymplne.jpg

Need to finish shaping the scales now, and round the edges as suggested. Still a bit of work to go. I still need to re-polish and re-etch the razor as well.

Honestly I am not wild on the scales. They look clunky in those pictures, but I am still grooving on the blade. We will see the next set of pictures. It could be just the angle of the pictures.

Nah, it's the scales. Still quite a bit of shaping to do yet.

Does the razor taper in width (across spine) from the shank to the end of the tail?

very nice progress mate

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WW243

Does the razor taper in width (across spine) from the shank to the end of the tail?

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Not yet, but thats what I was planning to do to them, plenty of meat for shaping left

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mattm82

Not yet, but thats what I was planning to do to them, plenty of meat for shaping left

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Thanks, cool to see the process...

Started shaping the scales. Quick material removal with a worn 120g on the belt grinder.

http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/a...psu5cgkose.jpg

http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/a...psy4sqbkhm.jpg

On to sandpaper... First scale shaped. I've run out of time now but will sand the other to match, hopefully tomorrow.

http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/a...psu2hjqg9g.jpg

An idea of what the finished razor will look like.

http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/a...pscdnjexok.jpg

I'm hoping this is a little more appealing to you guys now. If not, do let me know, and I'd appreciate why. Looking to get these right as I'm really enjoying this.

I have another piece of this Damascus and some blue #2 bars to forge some more traditional and kamisori razors too

Ok, now it's starting to come around. A little more like it for sure. There are a few good threads here about why the wedge is important and what it does in the function of a razor.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...mechanics.html
I kind of like the way this thread went. There are a lot of them though and you can search and find many. What they do, how they are made are all answered.

Thanks RezDog, I'll have a read and see what I can improve. [emoji106]

I haven't read it all but I do have a tapered wedge. I'm liking the bow it gives the scales, but how it translates to functionality of the razor remains to be seen. Lots to learn from that thread. Thank you

My insanely partial view is whispering to me: 'the scales still look at odds with the blade.' What do I mean? When finished, I'm seeing your razor as an instrument of finesse. I'm seeing the scales right now as fat bent cigars. If you didn't ask for design feedback I probably wouldn't have said anything as you would have had plenty of 'looks great' by now. I've seen your considerable metallurgical skills and awesome knife designs and executions, so I'm pretty sure you can take my feedback for what it is worth...seriously, not much. But I love straight razors, design, history, and use. I'm not expert in any of the three fields I mention.
Thanks again for documenting your work.

Appreciate the feedback mate. I think that part of the issue may be a traditional style scale with an untraditional blade, and I get where you're coming from.
I'll finish it out and see how it looks completed... Who knows, I may redo the scales and use these for another style blade... Not sure, but I'm not a fan of the micro fasteners so we'll see.
You don't need to be an expert in a field to have a valid opinion... I'll take any feedback, good or bad, as long as it's genuine.
Cheers

Finished the other scale, just need to make the drive for the spare screw [emoji35]

In the mean time this is a pic of the scales in better light... As I mentioned, I'll finish it out and the decide if I'm happy enough to leave it or if I need to change the scales.

http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/a...psl8sjbk8a.jpg

Was unhappy with the finish on the blade so redid it...
http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/a...pscaz85hsa.jpg

Finished up now, just needs to be sent away for honing and I'll be able to give it a try.

The etch came out nice and dark and the ball bearings have an almost glittery, shiny effect. I think it suits the dark scales a little better now but the shape could be better matched. I've decided I really don't like micro-fasteners however so they're staying together as I will pin and pein from now on.

My photography skills are abysmal. I will try for some better ones tomorrow.

http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps1owqesxe.jpg

http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/a...psic7zcq7f.jpg

http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/a...psne0fwpnq.jpg

http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/a...psxanfp0at.jpg

Thanks for documenting this process. Man, for a first time out, you have kicked some ass.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WW243

Thanks for documenting this process. Man, for a first time out, you have kicked some ass.

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Thanks very much. I've really enjoyed the process and greatly appreciated all the feedback, advice and interest. Hoping to knock out a few more and hoping they appeal to you guys.

Cheers

Couldn't wait til tomorrow... Slightly better pic now.

http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/a...psvhblwkzb.jpg

Nice finish. When you get it back from being honed you will discover the two most important factors. How it will shave, and how it feels in your hands. Originally I thought it would be better as a fixed blade, that the scales would be too awkward on it. Now i'm not so sure. It kind of grows on you.

Thanks RezDog. Ill be sure to update the thread once I know

Matt I have never made a blade, have made a couple of scales for restoring some of my razors. I do like what you did there though and it looks like your first razor has come out really fantastic. Great vision, please post any more razors you do as I am sure they will be great to look at

The success of this forum, and the forge forum in particular, is evident in the ever increasing quality of people's first razors.
It speaks to the quality of the information and the helpfulness of the experts.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Daro

Matt I have never made a blade, have made a couple of scales for restoring some of my razors. I do like what you did there though and it looks like your first razor has come out really fantastic. Great vision, please post any more razors you do as I am sure they will be great to look at

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Thanks very much Daro. I will definitely be making some more and will be sure to share.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bruno

The success of this forum, and the forge forum in particular, is evident in the ever increasing quality of people's first razors.
It speaks to the quality of the information and the helpfulness of the experts.

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Thanks Bruno,

You're 100% right. I have been given some much useful information and help during the making of this razor.

Seems to be a very friendly forum, great people and on topic.

Thats ,a great job ,mate