Results 1 to 8 of 8
Like Tree5Likes
  • 2 Post By r3tic
  • 3 Post By RezDog

Thread: First razor....new scales

  1. #1
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    philly
    Posts
    17
    Thanked: 1

    Default First razor....new scales

    As a brief bit of background, I am a new member here and eagerly awaiting my first straight razor shave. Knowing nothing about straight razors, I ordered this blade on ebay to give me something to practice making scales, honing etc. If anyone has some info on this blade, vintage etc, I would appreciate that info. It is a Friodur Inox 72. I have looked unsuccessfully for information on this blade. As I said I knew, still know nothing about straight razors. This one looks a bit chewed up on the tang and the overall shape of the blade has been reworked for its original form. The edge has a little bit of uneven hone wear but the edge is straight defect free. See the photo below.

    I was able to rehone the blade with two layers of electrical tape on the spine. The hones I used are some old barber stones that were left in my house by the previous owner. Looking at the blade with a loupe, it looks to be a 6000 or so grit. I still need to strop with some paste to polish up the edge so it is ready to use.

    For the scales I used some flowering plum wood that I harvested about 3 years ago and it has been drying since. The pins are copper and the square washers were cut and shaped from copper pipe. The spacer/wedge is made from a scrap of purple heart. The finish is oilskin sealant that I make from beeswax, linseed oil, pine tar and turpentine. Worked in and buffed by hand.

    As I mentioned I am looking for the history of the blade. I am waiting for my soap and brush to give this a try. I would also appreciate feedback on the scales.

    Thanks,

    Dave
    Attached Images Attached Images     
    Last edited by r3tic; 02-25-2015 at 03:37 PM.
    Geezer and Substance like this.

  2. #2
    Senior Member blabbermouth RezDog's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, Canada
    Posts
    14,384
    Thanked: 4820

    Default

    Well the scales are pretty nice and I have to say that the pins and washers are rather creative.
    Name:  29bc5xs.jpg.gif
Views: 164
Size:  2.5 KB
    You could find an easier blade to learn to hone with because that one is going to have some geometry issues. You should probably get a pro honed blade to learn to shave with. There are a lot of inexpensive and shave ready razors that go through the classifieds here regularly. That is a very good brand but it has seen some misuse over time. If you concentrate your first efforts on shaving and stropping and worry about the honing later it will shorten the learning curve by eliminating variables.
    DoughBoy68, Geezer and prodigy like this.
    It's not what you know, it's who you take fishing!

  3. #3
    Senior Member DoughBoy68's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Crossville, TN
    Posts
    1,711
    Thanked: 304

    Default

    +1 on RezDog comments.

    Learn to shave and strop first, it will shorten the learning curve. Example: I had to start my journey on the very cheap as I am disabled and had no income at the time. My first razor was a quality razor but had broken scales so I had to learn scale making first. Then I tried to learn to hone but was using hones not ideal for str8 razors. As a result some of my first shaves were like shaving with 120 grit sandpaper. Anyway, to make a long story short I did everything bass-ackwards which stretched my learning curve from an inch to a mile. I don't advise anyone to take the journey I did but the rewards, enjoyment and satisfaction have paid off.

    I like those scales and the oil skin sealant give them the warm natural look. In 6 years of working with str8 razors I have devised a couple new designs on scales but never thought about using square washers.......very unique, I like it.

    Of the German razors I've shaved with JA Henckels have to be the best. In good condition and properly honed will hold an edge for a long time and give great shaves. Get yours honed by a pro and you will enjoy many fine shaves.
    "If You Knew Half of What I Forgot You Would Be An Idiot" - by DoughBoy68

  4. #4
    Senior Member dooey's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Canberra, Australia
    Posts
    257
    Thanked: 43

    Default

    Are those washers off a mechano set? Cool RAZR though

  5. #5
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    philly
    Posts
    17
    Thanked: 1

    Default

    I cut the washers out of a 3/4"copper pipe. I really like the way it turned out. Used it for the first time today and dropped it so now I need to rehone the blade.

  6. #6
    Senior Member Razorrookie01's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Location
    central NC
    Posts
    431
    Thanked: 56

    Default

    Sweet looking work

  7. #7
    Senior Member dooey's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Canberra, Australia
    Posts
    257
    Thanked: 43

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by r3tic View Post
    I cut the washers out of a 3/4"copper pipe. I really like the way it turned out. Used it for the first time today and dropped it so now I need to rehone the blade.
    nice, a little bit steam punk

  8. #8
    Senior Member tiddle's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Oxford, Al
    Posts
    1,605
    Thanked: 407

    Default

    Very nice work. The fact that the wood was harvested by you and you mad the finish...nice job indeed.
    Mastering implies there is nothing more for you to learn of something... I prefer proficient enough to not totally screw it up.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •