Thread: Glass razors?

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.

I have a ceramic kitchen knife and its great however because of its design you can't hone it yourself even with diamond hones. It has to go back to the factory and thats the real issue with it. I've told my wife and kids anyone caught using that knife but me will be shot on sight. The blade is very light like nothing, and the slightest torque or spill will destroy it. I don't think ceramic would be practical for a razor. You couldn't strop it or hone it. yes it would last a long time and then there is that brittle edge and microchipping.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I have a ceramic kitchen knife and its great however because of its design you can't hone it yourself even with diamond hones. It has to go back to the factory and thats the real issue with it. I've told my wife and kids anyone caught using that knife but me will be shot on sight. The blade is very light like nothing, and the slightest torque or spill will destroy it. I don't think ceramic would be practical for a razor. You couldn't strop it or hone it. yes it would last a long time and then there is that brittle edge and microchipping.

Do you mean because of the curvature of the blade of your kitchen knife it can't be honed even with diamond hones or are you saying ceramic blades in general can't be honed with diamond hones? If so, why not?

Chris L

I've had a piece of obsidian, and it is indeed impossible to knap it straight.
Of course if you are very skilled you could perhaps knap it to something that looks reasonably straight, but it would still be serrated, and dangerous as hell.

Perhaps it is possible to knap a piece of obsidian, and get a fingernail sized smooth curved edge.
You could mount it on a twig and shave with it, DE style. Now that would be something to see

Originally Posted by Bruno

I've had a piece of obsidian, and it is indeed impossible to knap it straight.

This is not true, look at the microlith technology of the central america's. They took a single core and shaped it so that thin straight blades could be flaked of repeatedly.

Also many people like smiling blades.

The ceramic kitchen knives are meant to be sent out to be shaprened by the manufacturer, IIRC.

Thanks Craig.

No, I didn't try those guys, but I kinda lost hope because the time involved to develop a "new technology" is just unreasonable for me right now.

Those razor blades are probably as close to being usable as we're likely to get, but theres no guarantee that a smooth edge is possible either. It may be possible to use lapping pastes to get the edge down to sub micron sharpness but the grain of the ceramic would have to be extremely fine as well, which is something I have no knowledge of currently.