Most Unique material(s).

So here's a question, what is the most unique material on a straight you've seen...not just the scales, I know you all have some pretty unique scales, but also the blade itself! The usual is ofc: Stainless Steel, Crucible Steel, Wootz/Damascus, Carbon Steel...what else?

The only really weird one I have was made from 11 other razors, so the material (steel) isn't weird so much as the process was:

https://sharprazorpalace.com/forge/1...razor-1-a.html

I think (?) there are or have been titanium blades. Beyond that I'll be curious to hear what others have seen. Beyond what we would now call straight razors, I guess obsidian has been used fro razors in the past too.

I would think that it is the blades using metal that Tim Zowada smelts out of sand that he collects from the shore on Lake Superior I'm guessing.

Mike

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Originally Posted by mglindo

I would think that it is the blades using metal that Tim Zowada smelts out of sand that he collects from the shore on Lake Superior I'm guessing.

Mike

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His work is amazing. I think his "Timahagane" would be classified as a crucible steel, so similar to Wootz. Maybe Bruno or one of the other proper bladesmiths will be able to clarify that.

Tamahagane has to be right up there. I could wax lyrical about it all day long. The passion that goes into making it is incredible.

Here's a vid of Master Shigeyoshi Iwasaki taking about his razors.
My Iwasaki Tamahagane is the pinnacle of my collection.

https://youtu.be/QPMtjba9_XQ

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Originally Posted by Cangooner

The only really weird one I have was made from 11 other razors, so the material (steel) isn't weird so much as the process was:

https://sharprazorpalace.com/forge/1...razor-1-a.html

I think (?) there are or have been titanium blades. Beyond that I'll be curious to hear what others have seen. Beyond what we would now call straight razors, I guess obsidian has been used fro razors in the past too.

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OMG that's so cool! Someone told me Obsidian is a BAD idea because it would end up being "too sharp" or smthg.

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Originally Posted by Tjh

OMG that's so cool! Someone told me Obsidian is a BAD idea because it would end up being "too sharp" or smthg.

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I'm pretty sure you could file an obsidian razor in the WAY TOO HARSH TO USE file. I believe obsidian scalpels are favoured by some surgeons as superior to steel, so if you want to try it out sometime, best to proceed with caution. :)

I don't know if any have made it into straight razors, but my knife-maker friend managed to acquire some steel from the World Trade Centers that collapsed on 9-11, as did some other makers. I'll have to ask him what he made with it-presumably a commemorative piece of some sort. Our own Bruno and Max both incorporate various gems and minerals into their blades at times from what I have seen too.

I myself have made wedges out of malachite that I re-purposed from Ebay flat necklace beads-not sure how unusual it is, but I don't recall seeing anyone else doing it (that stuff is dangerous to work with is probably the reason!). I always like to see exotic wedges on certain razors. And you used to see the occasional Steam-Punk inspired razor with various cogs and gears epoxied into the scales.

I once made washers for my scales out of Lincoln head pennies. it was cheaper than buying washers.

I bet you they are one of a kind because no one else would do that :rofl2:

Steel from a meteorite and back in the day, way back, bronze.