Thread: Bluesman Blades

I own two. Cannot speak highly enough. His grinds are great and I love to his blade profile. It reminds me of an improved Buck Salient...but way better.


Concerning the comparison. Finish quality (polish, variety of scales/profiles etc) - edge to Koraat. The blade profile is more traditional also. Keenness of edge is about the same. Bluesman edges out Koraat in ergonomics for me. Very slim in hand, strops well, small belly and recessed point are really well executed. This is the crux. His style is either appealing to you or is not. To me it is

The bellied grind that Victor does is mind boggling if you ever seen his shop. I asked him how he manages to grind like that. He explained it while we were standing infront of his grinded. I still dont see how someone could manage the perfection it takes to grind that way in the way he does it. I was thinking it had to be done by some special computer controlled machine. Nope. Its Vic's hands and eye's. Amazing is not a big enough word.

Ok, here goes...



My three Bluesman Blades



My three Koraat's

Basically, for me the two are apples and oranges.

My Koraat's are big, heavy near wedges with outstanding quality, feel and workmanship.
All are great shavers.
The blades are more mass produced, as Ulrik buys them in bulk.

My Bluesman Blades are a lot lighter and are of equally outstanding quality, feel and workmanship.
All are great shavers too.
The blades are all hand forged, ground and finished by Victor, a real good friend.
He also makes hand makes the scales which are micarta.

I don't have any experience with Koraat's that are full bellied hollow ground.

I can bring them to the Meetup in Wisconsin in September if you'd like to check them out.

Pete <:-}

Victor may be one of the finest custom grinder of razors ive seen, I have many customs, by some of the best, Bluesman blades are much better than most and is good as any other, to me its all about the grinding now. many make very nice blades that are cool or traditional, but its the grinding that makes it a work of art that works. Koorat, vs Victor, I choose Victors, it still comes down to grind, his is the best. Tc

Pete-I love that 1st Koraat with the blue scales and the worked spine!

Thanks for the replies gentleman.. Without ever seeing one of Victors razors it gives me an understanding of the extra cost compared to my Koraat.. And unless i already have a Bluesman before Dave's meet in September I would love to see one of your razors Pete...Thanks all, Scott W

Koraat does very nice work. Dont want to down grade his abilities, but Victor does all his work so slowly and with love of the razor. With the time he has to put into his grinds and forging, i dont know how he can sell them. If you count the amount of time he spends being so picky, his razors would cost even more. But he sells for a resonable price for a custom IMO. Might not have all the special spine work and such but...

Wether it be Victor, Ulrik, Bruno, Max, Ralf Aust or any other one man razor making operation, I love the fact that the razor has been tended to by a single person from start to finish. This ensures attention to detail and a level of craftsmanship that, in my opinion, is second to none. It hands down beats anything that is mass produced and comes rolling off an assembly line.

Hats off to the gentlemen that preserve the old school ways of doing things!

Pete <:-}

TCMichigander, It looks as though we will both be at the Wisconsin meet, so you will be able to see several razors in hand and test shave a few of them.

I saw that @ the Wisconsin Meet thread but at work and hadnt yet responded this same thing.. Sorry to hear the gigs/shows got cancelled but i'm sure looking forward to seeing your work in person.. And to get the chance to be amongst some great artisan's.... Cant wait!!