Thread: beginning knife maker wants to make razors

I was wondering if there was any info available on the art of razor making and or supplies for the beginning knife maker. There is so many suppliers for traditional knives,but I wanna make razors. I made a wedge type for my martial arts master, but I don't really know what I'm doing. I don't have any pics, but I can tell you what I did. I used the base of a deer antler for the handle and an old mill file for the blade. I don't know if or how well it shaves because he's to scared to try it out.

Check with Bill Ellis (Billy Blades), Tim Zowada, Papabull (member here) and a few others that I cannot remember.

Looks like a razor but does it shave like a razor.

W1 and W2 File steel is really brittle and modern files are made of air hardenend tool steels that may not take to amateur retempering

however,

Razors are fine with a certain level of brittle that is higher than knives so this might be great or it might suck. I don't know.

I'm curious myself although I would be tempted just to order appropriate steel in either stainless or carbon. (lots of debate here)

Easiest 3 too PM and ask directly are Joe Chandler, JoshEarl, or PapaBull (Robert Williams) and ask. I'm sure they would have some recommendation for a beggining blade grinder.

-Bob

Thanks for their names I'll see if they put out info for aspiring makers. Once i figure out the method of manufacture i can then work on rounding up some of the equipment.Which will be tough due to monetary constraints but at least ill get a plan. Thanks

save your self time and $$ pay more up front for known steel from a good source
thats my first tip
you cant heat treat to the fullest if you dont know what the steel is and why waste time working on something that your not sure will hold a great edge
so far as parts well most of the knife supply houses have much of what you need
i did fins a good source of 1/8 folder pivot screw sets at
http://www.usaknifemaker.com