Thread: Damascus Custom Set - need help please.

Wow, fantastic patterns!



I wanted to chime in on the differential tempering.

I have it in my Russel Baldrdge custom razor as I wanted a hamon, which necessitates differential tempering.

Looks great! But having the spine softer than the edge menas that it will wear MUCH faster, and thus require taping the spine for honing.

Hi there, yeah, but given that we're talking about damascus blades here, taping the spine is part of the package anyways, so nothing lost then really - plus I'd tape the spine of any custom razor to be honest. These patterns he does are so intricate and attractive, it's gonna be hard to pick just one... but I'll manage I'm sure.

Originally Posted by Jasper Kade

Hi there, yeah, but given that we're talking about damascus blades here, taping the spine is part of the package anyways, so nothing lost then really - plus I'd tape the spine of any custom razor to be honest. These patterns he does are so intricate and attractive, it's gonna be hard to pick just one... but I'll manage I'm sure.

Aha, I hadn't thought of that (damascus requiring taping anyhow).


Yeah, it's gonna be hard for you.....you're a real trooper for suffering through anyhow! A true inspiration I'd say!

Well i can only speak for the spine width.
As said before... back in the days when straight razors was the norm, an 8/8 (25mm) razor would have a spine width of about 1/4 inch (7.1mm).

I would suggest you make the spine slightly more than 1/4 inch and reduce when grinding.

Originally Posted by Jasper Kade

Hi there, yeah, but given that we're talking about damascus blades here, taping the spine is part of the package anyways, so nothing lost then really - plus I'd tape the spine of any custom razor to be honest. These patterns he does are so intricate and attractive, it's gonna be hard to pick just one... but I'll manage I'm sure.

Just one huh? Sure.

Originally Posted by TiltbackJack

Just one huh? Sure.

Yeah, hey wait a second! He's said he's getting a PAIR of them!


The nerve!

Hey fellas, yeah I said I'm getting a "Matching Pair" done, so only have the burden of picking one pattern.. and I'm actually thinking of keeping it pretty traditional with a woodgrain or waterdrop pattern...

But now you got me thinking of the possibilities with two patters . .
Maybe I should work in a 'Jekyll & Hyde' theme with one razor looking all sophisticated and the other a little more dishevelled - know what I mean? Hmmmm, so many options, Lord why me??! WHY ME?!??

If you're shelling out for two customes, why on earth would you want them to be exactly the same?! (OK, a matched pair IS pretty cool...)

But the ability to get two of those different kinds of patterns? Two different blades shapes?

Yeah, I've already specified a matching pair in terms of blade shape and thats really what i want, but I will think about the different patterns - that might be pretty cool actually.

Now guys, I've spoken to the maker and he thinks that a spine thickness of 7mm or more is just way too thick... he says the blade will look "silly" I think he's just not into bigger blades and probably reckons a razor should be dainty etc.. But do you guys think a spine thickness of 6.5 / 7mm on a blade 27mm from spine to edge is gonna look strange?? I reckon even an 8mm thick spine will look in proportion - but he's got me worried about the aesthetics now...

Any thoughts? Any reasons to consider a thinner spine? is there a ratio for these measurements??

Originally Posted by Seraphim

I wanted to chime in on the differential tempering.

I have it in my Russel Baldrdge custom razor as I wanted a hamon, which necessitates differential tempering.

Looks great! But having the spine softer than the edge menas that it will wear MUCH faster, and thus require taping the spine for honing.

Actually, Russel hardens differentially, and then -I think- tempers the whole blade. I.e. Russel doesn't differentially temper.