Thread: If you were going to make a production razor...

[QUOTE=MattCB;1628737]

- Based on this, would you shoot for offering a 1/4 grind razor, or even a "near" wedge? Less grinding would be required. I know quite a few custom/small batch makers are make 1/4 ground razors (PRC comes to mind).
I think that this would be ideal.

- Would plasma cutting have any effect on the heat treatment / carbon issues on the edge of the blade? Maybe a secondary procedure to remove 1/16 of an inch (if it is an issue). Hypothetically, I could see a shop contracting this step out for time and monetary savings, at least at first.
Plasma and laser cutting will put heat into the material. ~1/16th to 1/8th of material would be discolored, based on A36 steel that I have had cut with those methods. The depth of heat and it's issue with heat treating the steel is not something I am capable of answering. Those methods melt the material, so it is generating alot of heat. Probably removing the material would be best. This might be a pro for stamping or water-jet, depending on the cost savings of removing the heated material versus high initial cost and higher cost process.

- From what I have read, the mold would be a one time cost to have made. So once up and running it would be pretty cheap per scale.
True, but sourcing a current manufacturer with the mold would avoid this cost altogether. I had a manager that works in the plastic injection industry and a quick quote for a plas-inj mold is $500k to $1mil. Plus trouble shooting the heating/cooling of the plastic entering said mold. It is a simple design, so it shouldn't need to much trouble shooting.

- Off hand I feel this could possibly be the most time intensive area for a production line set up. I think some kind of flat grinding would greatly help reduce the time needed. I think larger "bench" sized hones and bench strops (or maybe a belt run strop) would help with this as well.
I agree completely.