Thread: 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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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