Thread: Craig Barr Straight razor - Rolling review

Originally Posted by honorakr

I did say you will need to make custom scales for this razor, i tried a 7/8 scales at first and it was woefully inadequate.The hard part i noticed is finding scale blanks big enough to aaccommodate the blade.

I did a post a few weeks ago with the scale blanks I buy off eBay. For 6" x 1 1/2" bone:

Bleached Bone Scales 6” x 1 1 2” x 3 8” Pair Knife Making Slabs 5404 206 204 | eBay

And for 6" x 1 1/2" horn:

Buffalo Horn Scales 6” x 1 1 2” x 3 8” Pair 5404 205 204 | eBay

You might search the seller for different material but I think they quit having the micarta in that size. They used to have a selection but this is who I use.

I shaved this morning with the 9/8 1095, and I got a nice, comfortable shave. The blade has some heft to it, but does not seem excessive as the hollow grind doesn't make it too heavy. Despite its size, it was not difficult to maneuver. Thankfully, there were no unexpected nicks or pokes from the end of the blade. The blade had a nice "sing" to it as well.

Overall, I am impressed.

I'm wondering how you'd hone that razor with that reverse curve in the spine ? Looks like you'd get some funky spine wear.

3/16" thick X 9/8" wide doesn't sound ideal either but I'm not a maker so maybe someone else could advise.

After selling some spare Harley parts, I decided to try one. I just got it in the mail, an 8/8'' O-2 steel. I cut my finger trying to unwrap it, it's sharp as hell!
He warns ya that they are very sharp! It's a big blade. I have some 7" rams horn scale blanks that will work just fine. I'm going to write him & tell him that an improvement would be some jimping! It has a 3" edge on it which means I will have to use it at an angle. I shave better with a 2.5" edge. The pic shows no justice. There is no reverse curve in the spine.

The only thing keeping me from ordering one is the relatively thin spine ...and spine to blade width ratio...imo hard steel and wide bevels is going to require some damn fine honing skil...A 7-8 mm wide spine would be killa)

Originally Posted by ovidiucotiga

The only thing keeping me from ordering one is the relatively thin spine ...and spine to blade width ratio...imo hard steel and wide bevels is going to require some damn fine honing skil...A 7-8 mm wide spine would be killa)

I understand. The spine is 3/16 but actually looks wider. It is razor sharp & shave ready & has a very small bevel on it. I agree with onimaru55 about 9/8 being too much but mine is 8/8 & seems more ideal. I think the maker should make them 1/4 inch spine though.

it certainly looks like it has a reverse curve on the spine, could just be an optical illusion though (see the red line along the spine).

my bruno blade is a similar width and 1/4" thick and even that has quite a substantial bevel, so i would expect a narrower spine to give a wider bevel.

Originally Posted by edhewitt

it certainly looks like it has a reverse curve on the spine, could just be an optical illusion though (see the red line along the spine).

my bruno blade is a similar width and 1/4" thick and even that has quite a substantial bevel, so i would expect a narrower spine to give a wider bevel.

Ed
I see what you are saying. I just looked at it & the spine goes right about to edge but is very close. I'm not saying you're wrong though. I wanted to try one out. I do eventually want to get a Bruno blade.

Here is the eBay pic, it looks better there. I might just stop here & not continue the build. I'd much rather have one of Bruno's blades!

Originally Posted by engine46

Ed
I see what you are saying. I just looked at it & the spine goes right about to edge but is very close. I'm not saying you're wrong though. I wanted to try one out. I do eventually want to get a Bruno blade.

Are you talking about snail forge in Belgium or Bruno's shave club in the uk?