Thread: Groomsmen Idea??? Looking for already-ground blanks???

So this may be the most stupid, time-consuming, labor-intensive idea ever for gifts for groomsmen, but.... I was thinking of giving each of my groomsmen a straight shaving kit with a razor that I have put together myself... With the idea that my tinkering tools and skills will be more plentiful by when the time comes (I've already played around a bit restoring blades and making scales) I was thinking it would be a cool idea to make a few razors and personalize them by branding their initials or something in the wooden scales before sealing them.

There is a leathersmith (is that even the right term?) close by who can make quality strops at a reasonable price.

Make/buy each a badger hair brush - again possibility of engraving/burning something personal into each.

My main hang up would be finding already-ground quality steel blades - just the blades. Is this the most idiotic idea in the history of Western Civilization? Can these be found anywhere? I've tried some searching, but haven't had much luck, as most places return actual blanks that still need to be ground. I've thought about grabbing some blades from antique stores, but would want something clean to start with - to cut down on a big chunk of the labor involved.

I know it's a bit of a crackpot idea, and nothing is set in stone, but it's definitely unique, no? Any input on where to find blades that have already been ground and are in new/near-new condition would be awesome. Any thoughts or advice on the rest would be welcome as well. Thanks a bunch.

Well for the brushes you could get knots at "the golden nib" and make your own handles(if your up for it)
If you are going to mark the blades you probably need unhardened blanks.
Those need to be finished grinding hrdening after hardening and tempering
one of the custom makers might help you, but its not exactly cheap

Oh and this tread might look better in the workshop

I really like the sounds of your idea. I think there's a lot more thought being put into this present/gift than the regular "Hey bud, thank....here's a watch". I friend of mine got each of us a real pewter beer stein, and had it engraved in Old English. Although I don't use it, there's a real personal connection there.

For the brushes, have you thought about contacting Ian Tang at Frank Shaving? Check his store out on Ebay. He has some of the most affordable brushes out there, and personally, I love mine. It's a daily driver.

Sounds like you have the strops taken care of.

Soaps: Queen Charlotte. Get their "Sampler Pack". You get to select five different scents, each is 1oz, which will give probably 15 shaves. That way, each of your boys gets a different smell.

For the blades: have you thought about trying to locate the same companies blades? For example, Wade and Butcher is common. Try to find relatively clean blades at flee markets or Ebay. If you have time, then you can do the bidding. I think you'd probably be able to find pretty good blades that only need some 2000 grit or Maas.

That's where I'd start anyway. How many groomsmen?

Last, are you comfortable with honing? Did you want these to be shave ready for your gents?

Maxi

Maybe for the razors you could buy like branded new or used and have custom scales made with some sort of like pattern or engraving. I think this is a really great idea.

You won't find any blanks ground or not. You'll have to use vintage razors and restore them.

personally, though it's a nice idea I would not be giving a straight to someone not knowing how they feel about them. In all probability it will go in a drawer and never come out. Better to get them a nice wet shaving kit. maybe a brush and mug or something along those lines.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

personally, though it's a nice idea I would not be giving a straight to someone not knowing how they feel about them. In all probability it will go in a drawer and never come out. Better to get them a nice wet shaving kit. maybe a brush and mug or something along those lines.

I too think your idea is admirable, but I'd take bigspendur's excellent advice.

You don't know how hard I've tried to get friends of mine to try shaving with a straight. So far I've succeeded in getting one friend to try it ONCE.

However, I've managed to convert several friends and my father-in-law into wetshavers. It beats the heck out of the junk in a can in the performance arena. You'd be saving them the most expensive part - the brush. They'll save money in the long run as an expensive puck of soap is way cheaper than the junk in a can. Even guys who hate shaving with a passion are willing to lather up with some soap and a brush.

Max did some custom scales for a large group of groomsmen. Wish I had been in that wedding.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/custo...1-wedding.html

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

You won't find any blanks ground or not. You'll have to use vintage razors and restore them.

personally, though it's a nice idea I would not be giving a straight to someone not knowing how they feel about them. In all probability it will go in a drawer and never come out. Better to get them a nice wet shaving kit. maybe a brush and mug or something along those lines.

I would agree as well. I have only got one of my friends to try straight shaving, and he only tried it once. Another friend wanted me to shave him but would not do it himself. However I have turned several of them on to better soaps and creams and brushes.
It would be quite a shame if you put the time and effort into restoring a razor for it never to be used.

I think you may not be quite clear on what a 'blank' is. Here are some blanks leftover from F. Herder.

F. Herder™ Razor Blade Blank Grabbag

Making them into functional razors is most certainly more work than cleaning up a good vintage one. Do a search on the forum, some members did just that.

If you're talking about finished blades without scales, they exist, but those who have access to them are making profit by pairing them with scales and selling a finished product.

And of course there's the question of the posts above, whether the groomsmen are going to use them, or just have them as decorations.

Thanks all for advice, constructive criticism, and other brain droppings. A little ambitious to expect half-a-dozen other guys to jump in full throttle - I know. I think I will scale down my output and expectations, and may do the wet shave idea and only do a couple razors for those who would actually use them.

Everyone here has been extremely helpful (including cases in which caution is issued to potentially over-zealous situations like this one) and I can't express how much I learn on a regular basis here.

Yet again - thanks guys. You freakin rock.