I recently decided to try my hand at making my own razor...
From scratch...
Not having very much experience in metal work, I did a lot of reading
this is my first attempt (still in progress)
I started with a piece of high carbon tool steel from one of the knife supply places.
I cut it down with a hand held grinder.
(Did I mention I intend to do this for under $100)
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...f/photo-28.jpg
I used a standard bench grinder with 6inch grinding wheels
and ground out the rough shape I wanted.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...f/photo-27.jpg
and drilled the pivot hole.
some careful grinding work, and I have a basic hollow grind...
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...f/photo-29.jpg
I'm in the process of polishing the blade now and hope to have more to add very soon.
But so far I can conclude that the basic shaping of the blade can be done without all of the specialty tools and sanders...
Although using a grinder is tedious...
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...f/photo-30.jpg