Thread: How is a straight razor made?

Does anyone know of a book, article, video anything that explains the procedure the straight razor makers used to make straight razors? This is from the blank of steel to the finished product.

Thanks,
Bill Watkins

I believe there is a video showing a straight being made on lynn's site where he is selling the maestro's razors but I don't know how complete it is. The link is on this site in the vendors section.

Originally Posted by str8razor

Does anyone know of a book, article, video anything that explains the procedure the straight razor makers used to make straight razors? This is from the blank of steel to the finished product.

Thanks,
Bill Watkins

Visit Brian's site and look for the title "Norbert Goes To Solingen"
http://homepage.mac.com/briandonofri...Sharing87.html

or if you want to stream it through your web browser:
http://homepage.mac.com/briandonofri...heater119.html

It's revoiced but it gives the overview.

You don't see how the blanks are forged but that's just a simple process of stamping steel much the same fashion that autoparts manufacturers have done with many steel parts in the u.s. prior to the mass exodus of the work to china and other countries that like to spy on the u.s. in exchange for products made dirt cheap.

thebigspendur, can you put the link here?

thanx,
Nenad

Superfly,
This is the url for the only article in the vendor section for Maestro Livi's stuff:

http://www.damasteel.com/

It is pretty cool it is how they make Damascus steel.

Bill Watkins

Thanx Bill,

Nenad

Steel blanks are ground into the razors as we know them with this machine.


Grinding wheels are in pairs and in different grits and sizes. There is a jet of water from above that keeps the steel cool enough throughout the grinding process. The wheel on the left turns clockwise and the other counterclockwise. Note the blade rest in the middle of the wheels. This is how the grind man keeps things parallel. There is an adjustment wheel on the right for bringing the wheels closer together... or farther apart. It is needed because of blade thickness and the wear of the stones during use. It is obvious that this is an old original machine. I think this one is currently being used on Dovo razors. Here is a second pic.

There are no stone on the machine. Look in the twin red vat. Looks like blades in the process. Must be an oil based gizmo. Notice the wheel on the machine to adjust for stone alignment. The other wheel in the back, I am going to assume is for height adjustment for the 5/8, 6/8, etc. Remember, there is that rest inbetween the stones. Check out all the stones on the shelves. Here is the last pic I have of a razor grinder.

Hope that gives a little more insight.

Thanks Bill those were cool pictures.
Next I imagine they harden the steel after grinding and then polish them and then hone them is that right?

Bill Watkins

They most probably just grind them close to the finished dimensions. If they took them to the point where they only need polishing, they would be too thin and would warp in the heat treating process. Since the grinders are water cooled, there is no danger of losing the temper of the blades for final grinding. Not 100% sure on this, but base my answer on my experience with working with thin materials that have to be heat treated.

I regrind my knive blades after they come back from the heat treater. They are an ugly rust kind of color. I use new sanding belts and slower speeds to keep from affecting the temper. I don't use gloves so I can feel when the blade is getting too hot.

Originally Posted by urleebird

They most probably just grind them close to the finished dimensions. If they took them to the point where they only need polishing, they would be too thin and would warp in the heat treating process. Since the grinders are water cooled, there is no danger of losing the temper of the blades for final grinding. Not 100% sure on this, but base my answer on my experience with working with thin materials that have to be heat treated.

One thing I noticed in the "norbert goes to solingen" video, They heat/temper the blanks first, THEN grind them to shape, so theres no double grind on the razors on the dovo factory unless I'm missing something.