First SR build

Some time ago I put together this Gold Dollar blade and inexpensive plastic scales to try my hand at "building" a SR from scratch. It was an inexpensive experiment: the blank blade was around $10 and the plastic scales were around $10 as well. I wanted an inexpensive straight to take with me when I travel. Something that if it was lost or stolen I wouldn't care. It went together easily enough. And I like the heft...it has a surprisingly nice feel to it...not bad for for $20 and some elbow grease. I will be more confident buying SR from antique stores with broken scales...now that I know I can replace scales.

I just got around to honing it today. One layer of tape on the spine. Used my Naniwa stones. Had a little trouble with the heel...must be the geometry of the blade. Will take it for a spin tomorrow morning.
Attachment 261405

That came out really nice, Congrats on a fine job.
Post it in SOTD tomorrow.

Trouble with the heal? Did you rework the stabilizer yet? That could be the issue. Just guessing.

Did you remove the GD stamp on the front side of the tang?

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Originally Posted by Gasman

Trouble with the heal? Did you rework the stabilizer yet? That could be the issue. Just guessing.

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Hmmm...not sure how to do that...sounds complicated. I don't have any power tools. Can it be done by hand?

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Originally Posted by GarnerPW

Did you remove the GD stamp on the front side of the tang?

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No. It came that way. The blank was from Fendrihan...and there are no markings on the blade or tang. Maybe I shouldn't say its a GD....I am not entirely sure. They do look similar.

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Originally Posted by Whizbang

Hmmm...not sure how to do that...sounds complicated. I don't have any power tools. Can it be done by hand?

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If its a real GD, its known that the stabilizer needs to be worked so that you can get a hone close enough to the heal to hone properly. As far as how to do it, i did mine but i customized the razor so i took all evldence of the stabilizer away. Its gone!

I think you can google how its done or someone will pop in and say how to do it. I hope.

I have shaved several time with this DIY razor and I must say...it gives me as fine a shave as some of my more expensive SRs. It makes me wonder what really is the difference between a high end SR and a low end SR? I know there is a certain price one pays for a brand name...and some names are worth more than others. And these are inexpensive scales compared to some higher end scales...but the edge is really the focus. I really can't tell the difference. Anyone care to chime in on this subject?

You can lower the stabilizers or round the corner of the heel and move the edge forward of the stabilizer, so it will not hit the stone and keep the heel off the hone.

Some guys say to ease the front corner of the toe, but it really is not a problem.

If you google (Gold Dollar Razor Heel Repair), there are literally tons of videos on Tube on how to do it. It can be done with a Dremel ,with a stone wheel or sanding drum or by hand with a diamond plate or file. It can even be done with a low grit stone.

Either way it only takes a few minutes.