Thread: And Now For Something Completely Different

Originally Posted by DVW

The problem/challenge that I am having is maintaining the full length taper of the spine, from the end of the blade to the end of the tail.

Attachment 325091

A break in the two tapers (blade spine/tang) at the shoulder would be pretty normal. The difference in the tapers would be pretty subtle.

I like that last shape also, the smile to the spine gives it a good look. I must confess though that I don't have much or really any experience working out the geometry from scratch. It's something that seems like it should be so simple but I'm sure is deceptively hard. I thought about the fact though that the difference in wid th of the blade face would mean that you need a taper to the thickness of the spine to keep the bevel even. You're a more accomplished man than I if you know how to do that. Good luck to you and keep us informed because I'd really like to see how that turns out.

Originally Posted by DVW

"17" comes from the century that inspired it (the 1700's)

Attachment 325069

Nitpicking, but isn't that the 18th century?

Originally Posted by bluesman7

Nitpicking, but isn't that the 18th century?

Should I say the "era" that inspired it?

I narrowed up the blade a touch. I think that I can still get a full taper out of this shape and the overall appearance suits me. It's time to put the pencil and paper away and fire off the forge. Need to see what it looks like in 3D.

Looks like your going in this direction.

Originally Posted by outback

Looks like your going in this direction.

Yes I quite like that one. Perhaps a bit shorter blade and a bit longer tail. I also like how straight those scales are. Do you have a picture of that one closed?

Here ya go.

Originally Posted by outback

Here ya go.

Thanks Mike! That is very helpful.

So I was able to work on it for a little bit today. Here is the progress so far.

The obligatory "before" picture.


Here it is right after forging.


And here it is rough ground. I will round off the heel later when it is closer to its final shape. There is still quite a bit of grinding left to do, but I need to take some measurements first and check my work before proceeding any further.

The measurements for the blade look good. It is currently calculating out to a 15-16 degree angle. There is still a lot of grinding left to do, but I'm feeling pretty good about that part. Now my concern is the tail and the scales. I have two issues with the tail. The first is simply how it should look aesthetically. Should it have a sweeping hook or a short and pronounced hook?

The second issue is more complicated. I was really hoping to have a fairly straight looking set of scales for this. Which is why I asked Mike for a picture of his in the closed position. My problem is that a short and wide blade combined with a tail that is inline with the spine requires curved scales. Again, I am seeing the progression of razor design over the years here. So my options are either:

1. Have a curved set of scales that look a bit more "modern".
2. Put the razor back in the forge and bend the tail down so that the pivot hole is more inline with the edge than the spine.

I'll try to sketch up both options today and post them so you can see what I'm trying to communicate.

As a side note, my whiskers are long enough today for another shave with the stub tail replica. I want to get a couple of shaves with that yet before sending it off to Mike. That way I have some more experience to relate to his feedback. It may also help me out as I think through this project. This project here is really just a time killer and practice as I wait to start on another stub tail for Mike once he tries out mine. Only with his, I'm just doing the blade. He is the scale master and will do a better job than me with that part.

Those scales in the pic I sent, have a slight smile.