Thread: I'm about to make jimps

I'm about to try to make some jimps on a junker of mine.
I really like jimps, I'm one of those guys who gets lather all over the bathroom when shaving so jimps really help.
Unfortually alot of great razors comes without jimps. So I'll try making some.
My plan was to measure up an appropriate amount of lines in the tang, mark them with a sharp ruler & then file away, using a variety of smaller metal files.
Starting with a V-shape & maybe round it out a wee bit when they are deep enough.
Then sand out any burr.
Thoughts on this approach?

No reason why you can't do it this way.Some guys have done it and it works.Others have used these:

Grobet 6" Checkering File 30 Lines per Inch - MidwayUSA

You probably would get a more uniform look due to the spacing being more exact.However there is a cost involved,of course.

One thing to remember when for example trying to use a checkering file. Depending the hardness of the steel at the tang it's really a hit and miss thing. I have had razors I was able to beautifully add jimps and others I could barely make a dent. So some razors will easily take a file while others are best left alone before it actually looks like a mess. When it does work a checkering file is the most aesthetic looking and easiest to apply.

I love jimps, top and bottom is better than just bottom, but at least bottom. It bugs me that the skinny tangs on my dubl ducks have no jimps, among many others. I have thought about adding jimps but haven't attempted it. For one thing if I ever wanted to sell a vintage piece it might devalue it with non original jimps. When I look at some of the vintage Sheffields and the uniformity of those jimps done by hand I am impressed with the expertise of those old workman. In his book "Collecting Straight Razors" Robert Doyle says that the art of cutting jimps began in 1820, or thereabouts, and that it was called "flutting". He says that the ribs (jimps) were 40 lines to the inch. I haven't checked any of mine to see how accurate that statement is. It was done by hand at first and eventually by machine. Anyhow, long live jimps.

i use a checkering fill and would never want to go back to the old way of filing or dremmeling them in again

Originally Posted by aroliver59

No reason why you can't do it this way.Some guys have done it and it works.Others have used these:

Grobet 6" Checkering File 30 Lines per Inch - MidwayUSA

You probably would get a more uniform look due to the spacing being more exact.However there is a cost involved,of course.

At the risk of sounding STUpid, the file you suggest, I will assume, makes checkering in the tang instead of straight lines (jimps)? Would that be a correct assumption?

I too like the added security of jimps. The ones I have without them are fine but, I prefer jimps to no jimps ANYDAY.

~Phil

Originally Posted by PLanzaSr1957

At the risk of sounding STUpid, the file you suggest, I will assume, makes checkering in the tang instead of straight lines (jimps)? Would that be a correct assumption?

I too like the added security of jimps. The ones I have without them are fine but, I prefer jimps to no jimps ANYDAY.

~Phil

It will make 30 straight lines per inch, so yes it does make Jimps. You can get them in different lines/inch. The 30 and 40 look the best.

Originally Posted by PLanzaSr1957

At the risk of sounding STUpid, the file you suggest, I will assume, makes checkering in the tang instead of straight lines (jimps)? Would that be a correct assumption?

I too like the added security of jimps. The ones I have without them are fine but, I prefer jimps to no jimps ANYDAY.

~Phil

A checkering file is usually used in the gun world. Checkering a wood stock, hand grip or in some high end guns metal as well. You can use the checkering file to make the straight lines that you'd want in making jimps.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

A checkering file is usually used in the gun world. Checkering a wood stock, hand grip or in some high end guns metal as well. You can use the checkering file to make the straight lines that you'd want in making jimps.

So basically it will make checkering in soft materials like wood, but in metal it makes straight lines? Am I understanding right? Never used one before but am thinking about working on razors some day. Furthering my "newb" knowledge, you see.

Thanks, Jimmy!

Originally Posted by PLanzaSr1957

So basically it will make checkering in soft materials like wood, but in metal it makes straight lines? Am I understanding right? Never used one before but am thinking about working on razors some day. Furthering my "newb" knowledge, you see.

I'm assuming it always makes straight lines, you just go two directions across each other to make the checkering pattern. But I haven't actually used one.