Thread: Super Sharp Ceramic Razors?

Only one way to know for sure.....

Try it!

I say go for it...make one and let us know!

I'm interested


C utz

I saw it on TV (so it MUST be True).

The knives they are making are used mainly by sushi chefs. They showed the whole process, from extracting the mineral out of the ground, to making up the blanks and firing them, and then sending them out to have them sharpened.

I thought the sharpening would be some kind of CNC grinding machine.

No.

They send them to a little guy who hand sharpens them. A "master honer."
Well, I did see that he has some kind of electric grinder in his little 6 X 8 shop, and it looks like one smiling apprentice. Very primitive. All done right there in Japan. They probably have more than one master on the hook to do this.

No automatic machinery, just grinding equipment and hones.

Does this mean we could hone our own razors? I have no idea.

There are lots of ceramic knives on the market. Maybe someone here could snag one and see if he can get it to shave.

Here is one of my ceramic knives. Sharp as H*&^, but I would not shave with it. Tried it on the back of my hand and almost had to have stitches. It is amazing how quick they cut. I was being careful but the angle is different and it sliced right through the skin with no problem.





My other knife, a 5 inch pearing,got a small chip in the blade and I tried a diamond hone. It would of taken weeks to get it honed out. I took it to a friend that has a wet diamond lapping wheel. After setting it up in a jig to keep the angle right it took about a half hour of work to get it honed out. Just like new, cuts great.
I don't think that I would want to put that kind of time and effort into a razor.
Just my two cents worth.

I don't think ceramic would take the kind of edge you'd need to have a comfortably shaving razor. You might get it sharp enough to cut hair, but no farther, and forget about polishing the edge. I can get a Zeepk sharp enough to cut hair. I'd be interested in the results from a prototype, but theoretically, I'd say it's very unlikely to work.

Yeah I've got some materials on the way, since there are a few different types of these new ceramics. maybe one will work better than the common material used in the commercial blades (since it's not uncommon for mass production to make cut backs on material quality).

I really have no idea how this will go, because theoretically with enough time and fine honing compounds, one ought to be able to put any kind of edge on any material, it's just a matter of whether that edge holds up or chips off etc.

I'm just one of those people who has to try and fail before an idea quits bugging me. So we'll see how it goes.

anyhow, it's great to have input from you guys! since this is my first venture into ceramics, anyone with different brands of ceramic cutlery who can give an opinion on their experience would be much appreciated.

I think it is hard to say whether it would work or not without trying first. Best thing is to get a few prototypes and send them to senior SRP members to try. I would be willing to try one and report back on SRP.

Although ceramic is harder than steel it will get blunt eventually with use. So I guess we would want to be able to hone and strop them ourselves unless they come at a disposable price. In that case you better sell blades that fit into a Shavette or Feather like thing.

Just my 0.02 USD.

Originally Posted by toolarts

I saw it on TV (so it MUST be True).

Haha, I saw a special on the history channel about sharpens and blades and they talked about ceramic blades. Ceramic blades supposedly can be sharpened much sharper then steel, and are used in industrial applications where sharpness is demanded and low risk of impact, eg slitting applications. And of course because it is ceramic the edge will hold longer because the material is harder.

I read somewhere that you can have an edge that is "too sharp" for a razor. Instead of cutting hairs and riding on the surface of the skin it will slice into the skin. I think that oldblades can testify to that

Originally Posted by jmac

Haha, I saw a special on the history channel about sharpens and blades and they talked about ceramic blades. Ceramic blades supposedly can be sharpened much sharper then steel, and are used in industrial applications where sharpness is demanded and low risk of impact, eg slitting applications. And of course because it is ceramic the edge will hold longer because the material is harder.

I read somewhere that you can have an edge that is "too sharp" for a razor. Instead of cutting hairs and riding on the surface of the skin it will slice into the skin. I think that oldblades can testify to that

The fact that you can make ceramic blades too sharp does not mean you have to make them too sharp when selling them as razors.

I do have a few razors that are almost too sharp to shave with. You just have to take that into account when honing.

For a little excitement you could try a fresh blade knapped from obsidean.
Very delicate edge and so sharp its scary. Have tried shaving with them. Tricky to get a way to hold it at a consistent angle but sure mows down stubble. You can throw the blade away (stone age disposable LOL) or convert to another tool once done. I have never done a complete shave with one though. I usually chicken out after a few strokes as it has sharpness that just oozes hurt you vibes.

is there any update on this??