Thread: So I guess this would belong here.

Even though I didn't forge anything?

Allright, this forum is pretty much what got me into making knives. And I've been doing so for the past oh....almost 10 years now with a lot of enjoyment.
But...all that time in the back of my head I'd been thinking about straight razors.
However since I always lacked the means to put those nice hollow grinds on I never did get around to it.
Then I bought a brand new grinder with an (around) 6"wheel and now I finally have the means to put the right grind in. So here's my first practise razor.

A fixed blade razor with an approx. half hollow grind made from a worn out Nicholson file.

Don't mind the handle shape...it's not ideal and I'm less than happy with it. But I needed to start somewhere.
I think the grind is thin enough and I'll hone it up today and see if I can take it out for a testdrive soon.

Normally I heat treat my carbon steel blades. But in this case I just left the heat treat of the file (high hardness on a good carbon steel right?) and decided that I'd just keep the temperature down while grinding to retain the hardness. It was slow going but should be good. I might still pop it into an oven for a temper session though. According to my research it should be around rockwell 64-65 right now which is a bit on the hard side.

Anyway...pics is what you're really looking for offcourse:

Looks good to me, so long as you have the geometry down I can't see any issues.

I have a pocket knife made from an old file and it holds an edge really well.

Good luck with this, and I look forward to hearing how well it shaves.

Originally Posted by Porl

Looks good to me, so long as you have the geometry down I can't see any issues.

I have a pocket knife made from an old file and it holds an edge really well.

Good luck with this, and I look forward to hearing how well it shaves.

I've made plenty of knives from files before. But a razor is just a bit different. Currently working on honing it.....it's not cooperating on the stones I'll tell you that. Massively difficult to sharpen (And I know how to sharpen a razor)

Also turns out the grind wasn't completely even on one side. But hey, that's what the learning process is all about right?

Will update when I have more news.

Maybe the geometry or the hardness causing issues then. As you say that's what the learning process is about. I'm sure you will improve with each one.

I really do wish you all the best with this.

I think it's a combination of both. About half of the blade is honed enough right now....guess I'll have to keep going until the other half is ready too.

Next time, even thinner grind. And maybe I'll also give it a temper to bring down the hardness a little.

man that looks way better than my first couple! I kept chasing the grind trying to get it thin enough and kept breaking the spine.

speaking of the spine, I wonder if leaving the teeth of the file in the spine is causing you grief with the stones. all those little points on the teeth have got to be hard on the surface of your stones.

So far that hasn't given me any problems. I got the blade to pass the HHT along the whole length of the blade so that seems to be ok.

I set the initial bevel on a big DMT diamond plate and finished up with a big yellow coticule and strops.

I'm growing a beard on the face at the moment. But I'll be trying it on my neck after a shower.

Thats just too hard ole friend. You will understand this question though: how does it shave?

Originally Posted by ScottGoodman

Thats just too hard ole friend. You will understand this question though: how does it shave?

Not bad actually

I am sure uou know thus, but a general rule of thumb is to use soft stones on hard blades. Helps with chippy edges.