Too Hot to Forge

It's been in or near the triple digits lately so the forge has set idle. I was looking at it longingly today though with a couple of pieces of steel sitting next to it and thinking about the next project when things cool off. What should be the next razor to come out of the coal? I want to use G10 scales and implement a pointer that Glenn passed on to me about scale thickness. My last blade was short and wide. What width and length should I target on this one? How about the tail and the nose shape?

Almost fired off the forge today. I've just been finishing up projects that don't require the forge lately. Two cowboys from a local camp came into the barn after church today and asked for lessons. We still have open range here and our little town of 100 people is home base to about 7,000 cattle. We just didn't have time to get much done today since their grandma wanted to go float the river. They will be back though and I have a new project picked out. I want to try and forge two stubby razors from an old spring tooth harrow blade. It is just enough steel to get two razors out of. The trick is going to be cutting it in half evenly. Here is a picture of the steel with the two stubbies that are my inspiration.

Attachment 323239

It was only in the 80s today, so I fired off the forge. I decided to go with a kami style on one of the razors. The folder just needs its hole drilled and some jimping and then it will be ready for heat treating. The kami still needs some more polishing and I think that it’s going back in the forge one more time to get a bit more curve in the tail. Maybe by end of day tomorrow, I can have them both heat treated.

Attachment 323448

In the meantime I’m just animal watching.
Attachment 323449

Attachment 323572
The first one is done! It is much thinner and lighter than my previous ones. This is in part due to the SMKW razors that I played with. It’s good to try new things.

Found some time to finish the second blade. Maybe I'll even be able to get some scales made for it this week.

Attachment 324036

Nice job on both of those. Looking good!

Thanks. I was able to get the handle done on the second one. Once the boiled linseed oil fully cures, I will wax the wood. Thirty years ago my grandfather cut up some apple wood from the old homestead that was on his ranch. I've been packing this piece of wood around ever since. Over the years, it developed this cool look to it.

Attachment 324087

Attachment 324085

Attachment 324089

Attachment 324090

Attachment 324091

That’s a razor destined to be a family heirloom.

It already has a 3 generation connection.

Looks good.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DZEC

It already has a 3 generation connection.

---

Yes, and I found the steel in my dad's field when I was a kid. So it has a bit of my grandfather's place, my dad's place and my place in it. Maybe I'll give it to one of my grand kids when the time is right. In the mean time, I need to use it to cut a few facial hairs. It will take it's spot in my rotation and you will see it again in a SOTD.

Beautiful work and razor. :chapeau

Good razors!!

Love your grind work ACastrorazors. Very clean and precise work!