Thread: 3rd razor

Just finished and shaved with this. Far from perfect, but getting there a little at a time. Biggest issue is the center of the edge is just a hair thinner than the ends, only noticeable with close observation, but bugs my OCD. I know what caused it and will correct it on the next one. Since it wasn't just rite even after hand sanding I thought I'd try an experiment with something other than mycarta for the scales.

Blade is forged from 52100, 7/8" with 3" cutting edge, the thinnest I've ground yet, 7 1/2" overall closed. Scales are from an old block of African black wood I've had for a while. I had to fill a couple tinny knot holes, so it was less than stellar wood, but good enough for my new shaver and to find out if I like natural materials on a SR. Wedge is ivory mycarta, pins and washers are brass.

Only one shave with it so far, but I am really liking it. Personally though, I'm finding I prefer a bit more curve to the handle, but that may just be what I'm used to. Think I'll go for a shorter tail on the next as well. SR's are surprisingly complicated.

Looks awesome great job! I like the blade shape, is it a near wedge?

Close, it was ground on an 8" wheel, the smallest contact wheel I've got. I want to get some smaller and go for a deeper hollow.

A couple of quick thoughts.
Overall I think you are doing fine. Without being coached by another maker I think you are doing awesome. The blade style is not my cup of tea, and as a maker you are likely going to make several shapes before you find your style. The scales look nice and thin and the wedge appears to be well tapered. I have made one razor and done a handful of regrinds so I am no pro. Getting the grind just right requires carefully checking the edge thickness while grinding and setting the bevel before you are finished grinding, to see that it is even.
8” is a pretty big contact wheel for razors.

A vernier micrometer with flat anvils will be useful. A big thing that helped me keep the belly in line with the toe and heel was to forget that the middle of the blade even exists as well as continually checking with the calipers once I was a few thousandths away from my target edge thickness. I got too thin in the middle on my first one and it started oil canning, the second go around was much easier to avoid that mistake.

Looking good, hope to see what you come up with next.

Thanks. It'll be some time before I get the chance to do another. This was made with the intention of being my personal shaver, both to test the steel and heat treat, and the design.

The first and second I had no issue with thinning in the middle, even though I rarely hollow grind anything, and even then mostly use a 14" wheel. But then this is the thinnest I've yet gone, you can easily flex the edge sideways on a thumb nail. I know what to look out for and how to correct it now though, so maybe I won't keep making the same mistakes.

I'm really liking the blade shape and size, and I like a longer tail, but the handle I think needs more curve to suit me. We'll see.

Anyway, thanks for all the help and support and wealth of knowledge.