First Homebrew Kamisori... Yikes...

So, I'm 16 and cursed with an abnormally light colored facial hair, and there's an abundance of it. I spend too much on conventional razors, and I've always had a thing for straight razors, so I sometimes browse this forum and forums like it for ways to construct my own straight razor.

well, I found one that I liked. I made a Kamisori from a carbon steel file, but It is pretty ugly right now...

I was was hoping someone here could help me give the blade a more finished look and hone it. I am extremely new to straight razor shaving as well, so anything will help. Any knowledge you can drop on me is welcome thoroughly :)

i don't have a whole lot of money, but I can save some up. I'd really like this homemade razor to be the first one I shave with, and hopefully it will last through the ages so that someday I might be able to pass it down to my son if I ever have one. I will post pictures of the blade in question below. Thanks guys.

Hi Alera, welcome to the forums.

Your enthusiasm is undeniable, so I’ll do my best not to tread on it.

You may be reaching a little too far in trying to make your own razor before you have ever used one.

Although the concept of a razor is very simple the execution needs to be perfect for it to function properly (or at all).

There is a lot of ground to cover between something that looks like a kamisori and an actual razor. I speak from experience, as I just managed to put a set a bevel on a file-come-kamisori that I’ve been working on.


Your are in essence asking for someone to build you a custom kamisori from a old file that you have worked to a rough shape, leaving them to set the geometry, heat treat the steel, do the finishing work, set the bevel and then polish the edge. To claim that you built razor would be like the supply truck drivers claiming they built the building they delivered construction supplies too.


Shaving with a straight “can be” very economical, but it does require some capital outlay (razor, a strop to maintain it, proper soap/cream and a decent brush) as well as the time to learn to master it. Most people ease it to the sport (both fiscally and mentally) by starting with a safety razor, then “upgrading” to a straight if and when the mood takes them. The very brave few move on to making their own razors after they have an understanding of the form, function and maintenance of the ones they’ve handled and used.

I think the Dr explained it real well. You can make a car but, to jump in it and beat Bobby Gordon......it isn't going to happen. I wouldn't give up on using a straight but maybe look around for someone near you to show you the ropes. There is a lot to using a straight let alone making one. Like you I want to make my own and have been working on it for some time. I have built a forge and I have an anvil. I still need to build a belt grinder to shape the blade so it will get sharp AND stay that way. You have seen the price of custom razors ? If you did half the work, how much do you think it would cost to finish it ?

Alera,
Gotta agree with Dr Dalton you would be better of learning the use of a straight to understand the final Finnish requirements needed to maintain it.
Without knowing where in the world you are, I would suggest you obtain the basic kit of a shave ready blade and strop you sound like a hands on lad so could pick up a blade then make a strop yourself, plenty of info and what not here to help with that.

some blades in classifieds and other sellers from this site sell for well under $100 delivered nearly anywhere in the world and with some easy work you could make a suitable strop also included in the $100 outlay
It will cost you a lot more in the long run to get your blade completed ( as it is a custom really )
And you will know if you want to continue down the same path and when you do, you will understand what you really need to make a blade complete maybe
This is only my honest opinion to help you make the best informed choice without any discouragement or budget busting outlay.
See how you go cheers D

You might want to look at the Whipped Dog site for inexpensive, but works really well.

We were all eager teens at one point. I think we should encourage his creativity, craftsmanship, motivation, and initiative.

The OP formulated a well-thought post that was well-written. That shows me aptitude.

My advice: worry about esthetics for the next one. Use this one as a prototype and learn to put a suitable, safe edge on it. Shave with it to get a feel for what you like or what you would change (blade length and width, tang/handle length, etc.) and then work carefully on the next one.

Alera, can we have a photo please? this project sounds great I'd love to see it ugly duckling or not

Thanks for all the feedback guys. understand how large of a project that I've tackled. I understand that while this may not be aesthetically pleasing, I feel that it would be good learning experience, as well as oddly unique. I really appreciate how willing to help this forum is, also. Below are a few pictures of the razor that I couldn't post from my phone last night.

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I'm not looking for someone to make it beautiful, I'm just trying to get a straight edge on it so that it's functional. It's alright if it can't be helped, though.

Bump, just to see if there's anyone out there willing to help with this ugly duckling. Sorry Guys :p

Let's call it primitive not ugly and you have to post your location for anybody to offer help :<0)