Thread: Potato Chip Razor

I took a bit to decide where to put this, but the workshop/forge is where I belong & stay out of trouble. I wanted to share this and in the next 1-2 weeks two more razors with you. My reasoning and wanting to share it with you is that it is made without the big & expensive tools that some have. I hope to get there one day, but today I don't have them. The tools used were a 4x36 belt grinder for shaping, wet grinding wheel from Craftsman for the hollow, and chainsaw file for the back. In advance I would like to thank all of you veteran bladesmiths that have been so generous with sharing your knowledge. Mike, your heat treating knowledge & skills are again much appreciated. For less than $200 (power tools & razor materials) you too can do this:

Steel: O-1
Scales: Axis antler
Wedge: Ebony & Purple Heart
Pins: Brass
Washers: Brass & Stainless
Finish: None


















I plan on honing it up today and hopefully shave with it in the morning. I named it "Potato Chip" because it was originally between a 7/8 & 8/8 blade, but I hollowed it too much before heat treatment & the edge ended up quite wavy. It's now a good 6/8 blade & as you can tell, not too bad looking.
Thanks,
Scott

Very neat! Thanks for sharing-- it's awesome to see the creativity and skill of people here!

Did you send it out for heat treating, or was that a home job as well?

Wow, looks like you've been doing this for years. I really like that tail, what's that do for the balance of the razor?That wedge is particularly neat any chance we can get a pic with a better angle to show it off?

Very impressive for an early effort and with the limited tools. Hope it shaves close and smooth for you.

Originally Posted by BKratchmer

Did you send it out for heat treating, or was that a home job as well?

Sent them out, don't have the tools (mentally or the forge itself) yet, but I've enjoyed this sooo much that I'm looking into it. First I want to build a good grinder.

Originally Posted by shooter74743

Sent them out, don't have the tools (mentally or the forge itself) yet, but I've enjoyed this sooo much that I'm looking into it. First I want to build a good grinder.

Really impressive job, I can't wait to see what you make as you continue to practice and upgrade your tools!

I made my first one about a year ago with the same tools:



http://straightrazorpalace.com/forge...ake-razor.html

Those razors look great, I am impressed with your work.

I especially like your attitude toward razor making, you rock!

Charlie

Originally Posted by thehekler

Wow, looks like you've been doing this for years. I really like that tail, what's that do for the balance of the razor?That wedge is particularly neat any chance we can get a pic with a better angle to show it off?

Thank you very much! I wanted to finish up on this one first because it has such a wonderful feel about it. All five fingers are on the blade, so I feel like it will be one of those that you have absolute control with. I'll know for sure how it handles the next day or so when I actually get to shave with it.

As you wish:

Awsome razor! I am starting to feel the desire to make my own razor as well, and you are showing it is possible without expencive tools. I would not be able to until spring, (no heated garage here) but one can surely dream

Those antler scales, did you treat them with anything? Like epoxy or something, for stability? I got 2 nice pieces of reindeer antler here that I thought to make into scales myself, I'd be interested to know more about how you went about it.