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Thread: Bluesman Blades

  1. #21
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    I was at the Wisconsin meet in September and got to meet Victor (Bluesman) who drove all the way from Denver. We had some great discussions on forging and tempering steel, etc. He was setting the bevel on a new razor he had just completed. I was able to test the edge as he progressed. Victor has great attention to detail in all aspects of his workmanship, from forging, to grinding, to scale making, to honing.

    When we parted ways on Sunday following the meet, I told Victor that I need to start "saving my pennies" to purchase one of his razors. I contacted him a few days ago to make arrangements to purchase one of his razors with the intention of it becoming my Christmas present. When it arrives, I will post pics.

    These are some things I like about Victor's razor construction. All of my current razors have plain steel. The one I ordered has is modified San Mai forging. San Mai is a three layered construction. Victor uses plain carbon steel for the center layer so the edge of the blade will take a great edge. The outer layers are damascas pattern steel, providing both a beautiful appearance and toughness.

    The blade has a slight smile, but it is not as pronounced as some custom blades. Thus, I do not predict any issue with honing.

    The blade is shoulderless. That makes the blade easy to hone, yet the tang remains beefy enough to maintain a good grip when shaving, honing, and stropping. That is important to me with my large hands and arthritic fingers. I have trouble with typical thumb notches such as those on the Dovo Bismark and Boker Elite. I should not have an issue with Victor's blades.

    Victor produces a thin, full-hollow, bellied grind. It appears to be similar to the new bellied grind by Ulrik of Koraat, and the one produced by Brian Brown of BRW. I have a tough beard and thin grinds work best for me. I love the singing of thin blades as they slice through my tough beard. It takes a lot more skill to produce a thin grind than it does the quarter hollow grind used by many razor makers. A thin grind takes a lot more time and skill; just the slightest error in a thin grind will destroy the entire blade. That is why some razor makers avoid thin grinds. Bluesman has the skill to pull it off.

  2. #22
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    Hi Ray.. Very good assesment of Victor's razors.. I received a Bluesman about a week ago and have not yet had time to post my opinion on SRP.. In short it will be a glowing review..I have a Koraat 14 2 also and and the quality, attention to detail and workmanship are similar the 2 razors are 2 completelty different animals and i love using both of them.. I really enjoy the longer tang on the Bluesman for better control and wish nore makers would do this. Are you getting a 7/8 Ray? Because I got a 6/8 and have no regrets with that size it is a very lightweight and somewhat compacted razor.
    Being you said you are a little arthritic and have b8g hands i would definetly recommend the larger razor.. Maybe even a 8/8 if Victor offers that size? Ill honest after getting this razor from Victor and seeing first hand what a craftsman and artisan he is i wish i would have purchased his San Mai forged blade.. They look absolutely gorgeous!!! Congratulations on your decision to buy a Bluesman Ray and you definitely wont be disappointed.. Scott W.. Also i want to point out that my love of my new Bluesman in no way is a Bluesman or Koraat review... They are voth fantastic razors and pieces of art.. I think if afforded everyone should own at least one of each

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