Originally Posted by
zimbyzim
Howdy
I'd like to Make my own straight, or at least attempt too.
Down here in Australia Straight razors are super expensive, I've pretty much cleaned out all the antique stores for half decent blades.
I've got a few hurdles to overcome, i'll list them below and hopefully the experts can point me in the right direction.
Cons.
1. I've very little metalworking experience, but am quite handy.
Everyone starts somewhere. Look for tips/tricks in forums. Particularly what people are doing in the meet-ups. I do believe someone made an hour long video of people working razors
2. Live in a townhouse, so noise is a potential issue, grinding no problems, but forge = no
I would think grinding would also be loud? I don't think it is completely necessary to forge. Grind to pre-shape, heat treat, final grind
3. No Idea where to get metal or the best metal to use ( O1 tool steel?)
01 is what I see most often, supposed to be a consistent metal for heat treat. May depend on reputability and consistency of vendor
4. Have 0 creativity, thinking engineering type person, so will likely need to copy another design.
I see no problem with that, I do believe the Filli's #14 were a thing ground 8/8...
5. Live in Australia
I don't, so can't really help with sourcing, etc. I do believe someone from Aus was toying around with 01 steel to make their own razors....Eddy79 maybe?
Pros.
1. Work for a large manufacturing company and have access to CNC machines and many tools.
This is good, especially if you can get your order in with a bulk order the company posts. This will bring the cost down. CNC could get some initial machining done, but fixturing will be an issue. Or you'll need excess material to hold the part, then cut it off after.
2. Live in Australia
As you an see the odds are against me actually completing a straight, but i'd like to give it a go.
I've got the finishing and honing down pat( or at least to a point where I'm happy)
I've throught about making a strop, but for some reason this doesn't hold as much interested as the razor.
I can likely order the steel through work, get it cut and potentially machined, from there I believe I need to send it away for heat treating then grind/shape/polish.
True, the person doing heat treatment will probably need at minimum an HRC value to shoot for. More detailed steps/process should be available in the forum.
I'm looking to do an 8/8 with as hollow as I can get it.
Would be easier to start thicker then work towards a narrower blade.
Thanks Heaps!!