Progress Pics "Bastard Razors"

Last night I did my first ever Heat Treat on my first batch or razors, and everything seemed to go well.
The blades are made from a Nicholson Bastard file.
The forge was re-lined last weekend with a kitty litter-sand-ash mix which stood up to last nights session well.
My 2 blades were normalized 3 times, heated again then quenched in pre-heated Canola Oil and double tempered at 370F.
Both blades seemed to develop a very tiny warp, but so small it should dissapear by the time I've done all the post HT grinding/sanding.
The hardness seems about right too, but I wont have a chance to do the final grind and put an edge on them for a little while.

There is something special about this Man-Steel-Fire combination. This session last night was so much fun, I enjoyed every minute if it. I envy guys who do this stuff for a living.
Thanks to all you guys who have given me advice along the way. They're not finished yet, but I couldn't be happier with how its gone so far, and I couldn't have got this far without you.

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After Normalizing...
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I love this photo...
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The Quench...
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After Tempering...
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Thanks
Grant

Outstanding photos!

Looks like your had a good time and are well on your way to some great looking results.

Wonderful pictures hoping to see more and final stages razors are looking mighty fine!

Grant that is so cool. I know what you mean about you having fun. Especially doing everything for the first time. You dont have to worry about breaking any rules cause you dont really know what the rules are. And thats when I think your the most creative.
Thanks so much for sharing
We shall all love to see the outcome
Darl

Thank you for sharing. I always enjoy seeing the work of fellow renaissance men. While the rest of the world is running away with technology I enjoy the old ways of doing things, from scratch with my hands if at all possible. My wife and I are always on look out for ways to do things like our ancestors. Wet shaving, leather working, wood working, canning, gardening, etc; we even make our own laundry detergent!
I can't wait to see the finished product.

'Not much to add, Baldy but BRAVO!

Great stuff. Nice to see someone enjoy their hobby so much.

Grant, Your razors are looking really great so far. I too, love that photo of the "De Pew" in the coals! Lookin' good man....and looking forward to updates.

Awesome, Mate! Wish I had more time for things such as this. I suppose you must make the time.
I reckon they will turn out to be amazing shavers! Kudos! :tu

Wow Grant, those look great so far, can't wait to see the finished results. :rock:

Awesome job Grant. What did you use to cut and hollow out the blade?

Looking good! I would recommend keeping your nose farther away while quenching though.:)

Looks like a heap of fun mate ! If I had a car I'd drive up just to see the next eruption of Mount Doom :D

Looking forward to updates.

Awesome Grant. Well done.
Warms my inner forge to see and hear you enjoying yourself so much.
Adam

Thanks everybody,

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Originally Posted by sharptonn

Awesome, Mate! Wish I had more time for things such as this. I suppose you must make the time.

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I know the feeling mate, I started these 2 razors almost 6 months ago.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nicknbleeding

Awesome job Grant. What did you use to cut and hollow out the blade?

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The files were annealed to make them softer before I started working on them. I cut the basic shape with an angle grinder and did most of the profile shaping with the belt sander. I did the hollow grinds on the Bench grinder, It's crude but it works.
Attachment 102973

Quote:

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Originally Posted by onimaru55

Looks like a heap of fun mate ! If I had a car I'd drive up just to see the next eruption of Mount Doom :D

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Always welcome mate.

Grant

Thanks for sharing this Grant, looks pretty darn good! And cool :rock:

I just aquired some files I'm planning to make razors of, if you don't mind I might shoot you a PM in the not distant future asking for some tips :)

Good show Grant!
Love that you used basic tools, as all of mine have been made the same way. I've yet to play with fire, but know that feeling of accomplishing something. That first shave will be one you will remember and the satisfaction will really set in.

The journey is the prelude to the kiss...

Those are looking great Grant. Cant wait to see the finished product :tu

Welcome to the brotherhood, Oh Great Bald One

Bob

Grant,

I cant believe I missed these. Wow. Excellent work mate.

I need to get back to the Workshop thread more often :)

Stu

Great pictures, I think, capture the “essence”. Great pictures.

Jeff

Hey Grant,

HELL of a job! I'm impressed with your ingenuity, drive, and "eye" for what looks good.

I've but one suggestion for you. When you quench your steel, don't hold your head over the oil or water that you're using. I used to forge a lot of knives and have had the oil catch fire and flare up.

Keep up the great work and keep us posted.
Willie

Sir, I must say congratulations. They look nice. So tomarrow I'm going make time to work on my forge. Been working on it andtrying to finish it since spring. You've inspired me. Thank you.

:tu Those are going to be bad a$$

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Wullie

Hey Grant,

HELL of a job! I'm impressed with your ingenuity, drive, and "eye" for what looks good.

I've but one suggestion for you. When you quench your steel, don't hold your head over the oil or water that you're using. I used to forge a lot of knives and have had the oil catch fire and flare up.

Keep up the great work and keep us posted.
Willie

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Why do y'think they call Grant 'Baldy' eh, Wullie... :)

Regards.
Neil

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Originally Posted by Neil Miller

Why do y'think they call Grant 'Baldy' eh, Wullie... :)

Regards.
Neil

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Dammit! I always thought it was because that third testicle thing... Oh well, live and learn..

Awesome work baldy!

Can I ask what you used to make your forge? I'd love to do this sort of thing later down the track, right now i'm focusing on learning how to hone/restore but one day I will post pics like these hopefully. =] can't wait to see some updated pics

Quote:

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Originally Posted by saitou

Awesome work baldy!

Can I ask what you used to make your forge?

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Thanks mate. Here's a thread on the making of the forge. http://straightrazorpalace.com/forge...ade-forge.html
Grant

OH that is a sweeeet forge I have an old gas bottle lying around out side along with a barbecue I don't need anymore I wonder If i can come up with something similar, what did you end up relining it with?

EDIT: oh, "kitty litter-sand-ash mix" lol how did you work that one out?

The kitty litter mix was much better. It was still nicely intact after the last heat treat session.
G.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by saitou

OH that is a sweeeet forge I have an old gas bottle lying around out side along with a barbecue I don't need anymore I wonder If i can come up with something similar, what did you end up relining it with?

EDIT: oh, "kitty litter-sand-ash mix" lol how did you work that one out?

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It's what I used, and I got the idea from Daniel O Connor, a swordsmith who pops in from time to time, here in the forge.