Thread: how to grind the hollows

im making a custom razor 1/8 inch thick 7/8 by 3 with a big cheesy smile how do you guys prefer to grind the bevels

im sorry i ment to post this in customs can a mod move it over for me please

Search razor geometry (your going to need thicker steel), also in our library there is a section on making razors.
Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

Originally Posted by bigMike1414

im sorry i ment to post this in customs can a mod move it over for me please

This is the right place. You had it posted in the custom build gallery which is only for finished restored or custom razors. The forge is for everything regarding steel and making razors.

If you want to have a big cheesy smile, you might want to go thicker than 1/8.
Otherwise, if you want to maintain the proper geometry, your smile will be more of a mona lisa smile.

As for grinding: have a belt sander, and work the blade in 2 stages.
1) grind to a wedge shape.
2) hollow the sides.

For a 7/8 razor you need to start with 1/4" stock. Look at member Spazola's posts and you will find some of his grinding videos...they would be helpful. If this is your first razor, I really would recommend learning to grind with a more simple grind on a straight edged razor as grinding a smile and keeping the grind uniform is much harder than it looks.

Jump in, the water is fine...

thanks everyone what type of steel is the best i make knives and i use alot of 1095 and d-2 what steel is the best for straight razors though? ill be sure to check out thoose vids

My guess is that 1095 is easier to work and easier to heat treat.

I used 5/32" O1 for my first. I picked a wedge ground smiling blade for the shape, but I wish I would have picked a straight edge first. Razors aren't knives, the geometry is different. 3.5-4:1 width:thickness ratio is what you're shooting for.

I have use both 1095 & O-1 both for razors and they are great. I have read (no experience here) that D-2 isn't necessarily the best for razors from some of the veteran razor makers & I took their advice to heart. It's something to do with the finished product being a bit "toothy" in the crystalline structure, good for knives, but not for razors.