Thread: Glass razors?

Originally Posted by BigBubba

Here's a pic of a glass wedge I finished for a friend yesterday



Pretty sweet, huh?


Sorry, the pic made me laugh

That is a well done shot.

I was just curious how the hardness/microchipping would play out. Thanks for the insights provided this far, and more are always welcome.

Heh, sorry for the .

Back on topic, wasn't there a thread here (quite a while ago) about a possible group buy on glass or obsidian razors? IIRC the thread starter was from Australia.

The idea is intriguing...

Originally Posted by BigBubba

Here's a pic of a glass wedge I finished for a friend yesterday



Pretty sweet, huh?




















Sorry, the pic made me laugh

That is one clever photo! BTW, obsidian (I have read) is knapped similar to flint, not ground like steel, to give an edge. The edge so obtained is supposedly frighteningly sharp and can be re-knapped when it dulls. I have seen a photo (can't remember where) of an obsidian-bladed scalpel and strewth did it look mean!

I do seem to recall an article adout eye surgeons using micolithic obsidian blades because the edge is so fine that healing times are significantly reduced. I think the man making them was Brett Callaghan ?.
It was a while ago so someone else may have more accurate information.
On the ceramic blade front It may well be doable as ceramic blades are cast . So its within the bounds of the material to make a straight but probably a Japanese style straight with an equal grind would be best & easier to make . That way it could be stored in a well cushioned case to guard against breakage.
Just my 10 c worth .Paul

I looked into the ceramic thing a while ago, none of the manufacturers want to have anything to do with it because the market is so small.

I couldn't even get triangular shaped ceramic blocks sent to me (so that I could try and put an edge on them with diamond hones and pastes) unless I was going to buy a couple hundred dollars worth.

Originally Posted by Russel Baldridge

I looked into the ceramic thing a while ago, none of the manufacturers want to have anything to do with it because the market is so small.

I couldn't even get triangular shaped ceramic blocks sent to me (so that I could try and put an edge on them with diamond hones and pastes) unless I was going to buy a couple hundred dollars worth.

Did you try these guys?

I was thinking you could perhaps create some sort of "frameback" razor holder for one of these.

Thoughts?

Originally Posted by Seraphim

Did you try these guys?

I was thinking you could perhaps create some sort of "frameback" razor holder for one of these.

Thoughts?

Interesting.

I know nothing about ceramics other than the fact the Shaptons do a great job on steel. Depending on the ceramic composition, would it end up being something that would need to be honed on diamond plates only? If so, at this time, wouldn't that relegate us to 8000 grit D8EE edges? Ceramic knives have been around a long time, so they must be sharpened somehow.

Chris L

Originally Posted by Chris L

Interesting.

I know nothing about ceramics other than the fact the Shaptons do a great job on steel. Depending on the ceramic composition, would it end up being something that would need to be honed on diamond plates only? If so, at this time, wouldn't that relegate us to 8000 grit D8EE edges? Ceramic knives have been around a long time, so they must be sharpened somehow.

Chris L

Diamond lapping film is available in a full spectrum of grits.

Page 11 of this catalog

Originally Posted by Seraphim

Diamond lapping film is available in a full spectrum of grits.

Page 11 of this catalog

Nice! Thanks for the link too.

Chris L

Originally Posted by blueprinciple

BTW, obsidian (I have read) is knapped similar to flint, not ground like steel, to give an edge.

I believe that is correct. I also think that because of this, the edge isn't and cannot nearly be "straight" and even like a razor. I think it can be as sharp yes, but used mostly for incision type uses. If obsidian used to be used for shaving waaaay back and isn't anymore maybe it says something about the comfort or lack thereof!

Originally Posted by Chris L

Ceramic knives have been around a long time, so they must be sharpened somehow.

I think most ceramic knives are kitchen knife style- as far as I've seen, but I'm not deep into knives. Anyway, on kitchen knives I don't think many besides Japanese steel are honed past 1k-4k.