Thread: How do you make a razor from scratch?

Apologies first of all if this thread is in the wrong section. I wasnt sure where it should go. Feel free to move it if needs be.

My question is exactly in the thread title. If I wanted to go out and make myself a razor from scratch how would I do it? And am I better getting an old blade made of quality steel, reconditioning it and making a handle for it?

Please guys, enlighten me....

Originally Posted by sidneykidney

Apologies first of all if this thread is in the wrong section. I wasnt sure where it should go. Feel free to move it if needs be.

My question is exactly in the thread title. If I wanted to go out and make myself a razor from scratch how would I do it? And am I better getting an old blade made of quality steel, reconditioning it and making a handle for it?

Please guys, enlighten me....

Well, I think the first step is to find a bunch of rocks rich in iron ore..........

Very good chuckles....

I think answering this question goes way beyond what could be answered here. Your question requires intimate knowledge of metal fabrication and a host of other related topics. The best recommendation is go to the library and take out a book on knifemaking. You will then get an idea whats involved. Then after dozens of attempts you might be ready to begin.

Really, if you wanted to make one from scratch, I would say find out if you have a blacksmith near you. If so, then see if he will do lessons on working with steel. Most of them are very open to sharing what they have spent a lifetime learning. Even a local Farrier should be able to point you in the right direction.

Originally Posted by Kenrup

Well, I think the first step is to find a bunch of rocks rich in iron ore..........

nope,
first you need to take a big pile of you scratch money and send it to a razor maker then try and wait paticiently...

OK. Just thought it might be a really nice idea to have one made by myself.

Does anyone on SRP do it themselves? (and please, no lewd or dirty comments. Its 3am and i'm not in the mood. )

Sandy

For Dovo's viewpoint on razor manufacture, use the link found here.

Reconditioning an old blade would be a bit less expensive (IMO).

The machining alone can take a while to learn.

there are a number of custom razor makers here at SRP. But keep in mind that a custom razor is not an inexpensive propersision. check of the razor group buy thread.

I've been contemplating this question myself, and the answer is that it will take some time to learn, lots of money and equipment, and a little luck...
you might be able to grind the shape out of good bar stock, and send it to someone like mikeblue for heat treating... but you'd still have to do the final grinding and polishing, make scales, and all that...
Oh and one mistake means you get to start over from scratch...

the real masters hammer the metal into shape first, some even make their own damascus. they grind polish temper regrind repolish make scales etc... all before the final sharpening by hand.
There's a reason it takes them weeks to deliver a custom. you can do it, but it will be a long time before you're shaving with one you made.