Made My First Razor

I recently purchased a 2Hp variable-speed KMG and I've been experimenting with all sorts of grinding techniques. The first blade to come off of the machine is a little fixed-blade razor, similar to a Japanese kamisori. The grind is asymmetrical with a 10" hollow on the back and 3" hollow on the front.

It's far from perfect, but it shaves smoothly and looks pretty good. The M4 hones like diamond-studded concrete. There was a time that I thought my stones weren't cutting at all.

Steel: CPM M4 heat treated to 64Rc by Paul Bos
Handle: Desert ironwood burl
Blade length: 2 1/4"
Blade width: 13/16"

http://www.phillipdobson.com/images/img_6904.jpg

http://www.phillipdobson.com/images/img_69191.jpg

http://www.phillipdobson.com/images/img_69211.jpg

Phillip

looks very nice... way to go!

Excellent, very nice razor.
Good photo's also

Very nice keep it up :)

ian

Man, Every time I'm proud of something I made, you guys come in here with your gorgeous stuff and make me feel like a kid building stick men!

Sweet razor!

Looks awesome!

Awesome work! How come it's one sided grind only? Will it be harder to sharpen.

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Originally Posted by ShavedZombie

Man, Every time I'm proud of something I made, you guys come in here with your gorgeous stuff and make me feel like a kid building stick men!

Sweet razor!

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I know what ya mean!

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Originally Posted by sproosemoose

Awesome work! How come it's one sided grind only? Will it be harder to sharpen.

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In the Japanese tradition. Not harder to sharpen, but definitely a different skill set.

That razor looks great, very crisp lines. I like the design and grind.

The handle knocks me out.

:rock:

Charlie

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Originally Posted by nun2sharp

In the Japanese tradition. Not harder to sharpen, but definitely a different skill set.

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I chose this grind because I have always liked the looks of traditional Japanese blades, but I never owned one myself. It's handles differently than a Western razor and took some getting used to. Overall, I don't think it's any harder to use, just different.

Phillip

Wow, thats amazing work.

Everything about that razor is first class. The finish, the style, the grind and i think that is the perfect choice for the handle. Now can i have my razor please?

You guys never cease to amaze me.

The handle on this one was the product of a mistake. I had originally intended to use some really nice stabilized amboyna burl from the same block as this handle.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4121/...627e416a_b.jpg

Unfortunately, I had never done a tapered tang before, and it didn't work very well the first time. The holes were just a little tight and the tiny pins bent on the way in, cracking the scale. I got frustrated and tore the whole thing apart. I dug around until I found that nice block of ironwood. I got it all set up to cut when I dropped a nut into my tablesaw. Half an hour of digging through sawdust later, I was able to cut the block. This time shaping, gluing and pinning went very well and I ended up with the current handle.

Phillip

I like it, really like it...but there are two problems. Two empty slots in the holder, what's up with that?:shrug:

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Originally Posted by shooter74743

I like it, really like it...but there are two problems. Two empty slots in the holder, what's up with that?:shrug:

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That holder isn't for me. Anyway, mine is going to need more than three slots. :)

That is a very nice first blade!:tu
A couple of questions if I may.....
1. What is the width of the blade?
2. Why did you chose M4 steel? What do you see as its advantages?
3. Why a HRC of 64?

Wow! Two very pretty blades, though of course I'm more partial to the razor. ;)

As for the second knife being the product of a mistake, it seems to me like it was one of those good mistakes. keep it up!

Looking great. I like the satin finish.

Lovely work! :tu

It looks really good!

Beautiful work! :bow

PDobson, you have a keen eye and a steady hand. Your work speaks for itself.
I like the flow of your designs.:mexwave:


Silver2

That is absolutley beautiful. Damn there are some fine craftsman here at SRP. But on the other hand, what would you expect from a bunch of guys that shave with a straight razor?

How does that beauty shave?

Incredible work Phillip. I've always been impressed with your work and you continue to do even more amazing things. Great design and finishing.

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Originally Posted by randydance062449

That is a very nice first blade!:tu
A couple of questions if I may.....
1. What is the width of the blade?
2. Why did you chose M4 steel? What do you see as its advantages?
3. Why a HRC of 64?

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Width is 13/16" and stock thickness was a rather thin 1/8". This latest batch of steel was cut predominantly into kitchen knives; that's why I picked CPM M4. It takes a fine and highly-polished edge and is incredibly abrasion resistant. CPM M4 should perform well at 64Rc (and seems to be in my limited testing), edge-holding is through the roof and it doesn't seem too brittle. I cut the profile out of scrap leftover from cutting out the kitchen knives on the waterjet. The steel would have gone to waste otherwise.

I've only shaved with this blade four times now, but I'm getting it figured out. It's shorter and wider than my old Genco and maneuvers differently. Now that I'm getting the angles all figured out, my most recent shave was excellent. (And certainly more fun.)

Phillip