Thread: New guy with build questions

Hello all and thanks for the great community you built.

I am not a straight razor shaver and in fact don't shave often, so I hope I don't disappoint on that count.

Alternately, I enjoy building and working with things. I have done blacksmithing classes to forge my own knife, and I do a lot of work on knives and firearms. I also do some light work with jewelry and I'm working on some small household items now out of some local oak that I've picked up. I made my dad a pocket knife for his birthday a couple of months ago which led to his most recent request.

He's had straight razor shaves before and it's always something he's wanted to do. Lately he's been giving himself the full treatment with lather and brush as opposed to shaving with sink water and says it's the best shave he's ever had. After seeing that I enjoy working with other things, he's asked me if I'd like to try making a razor for him.

I have some build questions that prompted me to sign up, but I will save those for the appropriate sub forum. I just saw that it was recommended to stop by the introduction forum first and thought I'd do that. I've been on internet forums since I was 13 for various interests and it's honestly one of the best learning resources I've ever found. I look forward to participating here.

While I could show you how a factory does it, here's how our very own Charlie does it; and he does it very well!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvFO3TqhDj0

Welcome to SRP . You hit the right spot and I am sure you soaking up the info in the workshop. I am not the wizard of straights that's for sure but I have started to make some RSO's ( razor shaped objects). I have everything but a nice heat treat oven or I would be more active making blades. That and I have a ton 1/2 of restore work to do.

Very cool video cudarunner. I will be using a stock removal method versus forging, but I am interested in the philosophy of creating it from the ground up. I think there will be a lot for me to learn there.

Originally Posted by dakotapotts

Very cool video cudarunner. I will be using a stock removal method versus forging, but I am interested in the philosophy of creating it from the ground up. I think there will be a lot for me to learn there.

Hang in there and Charlie will show you not only stock removal but tempering and everything it will take.

Hi and welcome. You have hit the mother load when it comes to razors here. If you can't find it the guy's will be sure to answer your questions or to find out for you. Most helpful site ever here. Good luck with your project

Welcome! Hope you hang around after you have found the information you are looking for.

For the how to stuff on razors, check out some threads in the Workshop & mostly the Forge, I hang out there too. We have several masters at making razors, journeymen, & quite a few apprentices (like me). We have more than enough knowledge to give you the right information, but it will be up to you to transform that information to a workable razor. From my experience, most can make a knife...but not so many can make a working razor.