Thread: What are you working on?

Originally Posted by tintin

No! Glad you can get use out of them. They've been sitting in my to-do drawer for years. Time to pass them on!

...

Originally Posted by DZEC

I knew it! What’s the project Paul?

Originally Posted by PaulFLUS

At the moment making a lot of noise and trying to keep from getting the neighbors PO'd.

Currently just working on basic techniques, right now drawing out. This is what I managed before the "WTH is that fool banging on," hour came last night.
Attachment 348473

This steel is unknown but based on the spark pattern it is some kind of high carbon steel. Also it has a pronounced ring to it.

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
.


As I took my time on this my concept grew and I decided I wanted it to have a humpback and a monkey tail.


I also knew early that I wanted it to be 8/8+ and have a smiling bevel and a spine to match.


The whole process would need a whole thread of it's own but to cut to the chase it went forge,
rough grind,


Stamp,


(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,


(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,


(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.


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.

Well done, Paul.
From trash to treasure.

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