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Printable View
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Alright, I was going to wait and spring this in the custom built and restoration thread once I have better pictures than what I posted in the SOTD but this is more about the process than the end result so here goes. The above project was bladesmithing. I have wanted to do this for a long time but felt like I needed more time to explore the nuances since my first attempt at making a razor from an old file failed miserably. I posted about it somewhere. I have learned a lot since then and have gotten a lot more experience at restoration. Hopefully this time I have redeemed myself. As previously mentioned I have no ideas what this steel is. Instead of sacrificing steel I paid money for it seemed wise to use something found for a test piece. To remove the mystery the attempt was a razor. As you can see I started out just drawing out the steel. After early success with that I started to pound out a tang and tail
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As I took my time on this my concept grew and I decided I wanted it to have a humpback and a monkey tail.
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I also knew early that I wanted it to be 8/8+ and have a smiling bevel and a spine to match.
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The whole process would need a whole thread of it's own but to cut to the chase it went forge,
rough grind,
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Stamp,
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(That's my DBA name and logo by the way which I created and had a stamp made for. A little hint here: this also explains my icon)
Pick final shape,
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(I started with French point but there was a really deep hammer depression I didn't think would grind out so I decided on Spanish point)
Heat treatment,
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(That was a forge heating to bright yellow then motor oil quench)
Final grind and assembly...
Running out of space for pictures so here is the final shape.
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I decided that this style name would be "Arabian" since it has a sort of scimitar shape and instead of a "monkey tail" I called it a "baboon tail" since that is the kind of monkey found in Arabia.
So the shave was fantastic. I love the shape for sweeping, scything strokes. It has a wicked edge and in fact I over shaved a little on my neck and exfoliated a bit. Whatever that steel is it is hard, hard , hard. It took me almost literally all day to hone it from no bevel at all but is now a master shaver.
I welcome thoughts and comments. I know I have a lot to learn but, for a test razor and my first attempt at forging anything I was pleased with the results.
That is inspiring. I've wanted to try making a razor but have put it off for fear of failure and lack of a proper grinder. Maybe someday.
Be brave Tintin. "Audentes Fortuna Iuvat," or "fortune favors the bold." I just decided I wanted to throw caution to the wind.
Heck of a first go Paul. Hope you enjoy the shave.
Very well done! :)
I like the shape a lot. The fact that you have made it to the shaving stage is excellent.
Yes, honing a handmade razor is a long process. Best to start out with diamond hones to reduce the time requirement.
I am impressed Paul. Pretty amazing for a second go at forging a razor.
Bloody hell Paul, thats really impressive. Great work. :tu
Well done, Paul.
From trash to treasure.:bow
What an incredible first razor! Very, very impressive. I love smilers and the way they shave, and the overall shape of the razor. Congratulations.
Richard