Thread: So Here's The Thing...

I might be wrong, but I would be surprised if most of the custom razor makers didn't have full time jobs in addition to the razor making.

+1 on all that's been said, it's the wing-walkers credo, don't let go of what you have until you grap solidly on to some thing else!!! Job pay's the bills, keep it!! You may or may not stay with razor honning and restoration, it's best to have the bills payed while your deciding. IMHO. Have a good one.

tinkersd

Originally Posted by Blix

I might be wrong, but I would be surprised if most of the custom razor makers didn't have full time jobs in addition to the razor making.

I guess I'll find out after I spend some more time learning. Then I'll email the Pros, and maybe they'll have some advice I hope...

Originally Posted by tinkersd

+1 on all that's been said, it's the wing-walkers credo, don't let go of what you have until you grap solidly on to some thing else!!! Job pay's the bills, keep it!! You may or may not stay with razor honning and restoration, it's best to have the bills payed while your deciding. IMHO. Have a good one.

tinkersd

Thanks, I think everyone is right. I'm sure we've all been where I am with a job. I used to do really great work for my boss. Actually our whole crew did. We all cared. But moral is really low now, and no one is happy. Its not a healthy environment. But as you said it pays the bills.

I can't quote examples, but as well as some commercial razor restorers probably still having jobs, I am sure most established a demand for their services by a considerable volume of work which they did as part-timers. It is a bit like medicine. A doctor can complete his formal studies, but his qualification has to be validated when he has seen a lot of sick people. Sick razors can have diverse problems too.

I've done one or two restorations which looked at least close to being as good as anybody's. Where I fell down, I realised, was that it took a lot more time, both working and resting, than a professional restorer could possibly be taking, and making a living. Anybody who paid the prices I'd have to charge, either for a service or to buy something I'd bought in a derelict state, ought to have his head examined, and might possibly get it.

There are few commoner sources of career or interpersonal disaster than doing what seems manly. Working on something you know you can get right is a good start. In particular, anything that can speed up razor sanding and polishing has the potential for producing disaster in a moment, either by munching a piece of edge or by overheating. That includes the Dremel. If it is a valuable piece of your property you plan to sell, that's bad. But if it is a customer's, it may be professional suicide in one easy step.

Originally Posted by HigherFasterNow

I had to reshape the point after I damaged it... hehe oops.

I think while you're still saying things like this you shouldnt go into restoring and making blades full time. If someone had sent you their grandads razor to clean up they'd want it back mint.

I've been at this hobby a few years now and I've just got into restoring blade myself and its definitely trickier than it sounds! I also recently did a bladesmithing course and thats definitely way harder than it looks a well..!

I agree with the other guys, start out as a hobby and then see how things go. If you still like it and you start restoring for others see whether its feasible to make a living out of it. But definitely dont give up a bill paying job without another one to replace it!

OK
Everybody gave great advice on keeping your job and such. But what about the doing?

Below are 4 great books that are more than enough to get you started. These books with a few hands on or at least watching seminars will give you what you need.

Step by step

$50 knife shop

How to make knives


The Complete Bladesmith

And last but by far not the least join Don Foggs bladesmithing forum.

Many of the very best are there and they love to share. Plus there is years of information in old posts and pinned topics.

Best on the net in my opinion.

Originally Posted by Caledonian

I can't quote examples, but as well as some commercial razor restorers probably still having jobs, I am sure most established a demand for their services by a considerable volume of work which they did as part-timers. It is a bit like medicine. A doctor can complete his formal studies, but his qualification has to be validated when he has seen a lot of sick people. Sick razors can have diverse problems too.

I've done one or two restorations which looked at least close to being as good as anybody's. Where I fell down, I realised, was that it took a lot more time, both working and resting, than a professional restorer could possibly be taking, and making a living. Anybody who paid the prices I'd have to charge, either for a service or to buy something I'd bought in a derelict state, ought to have his head examined, and might possibly get it.

There are few commoner sources of career or interpersonal disaster than doing what seems manly. Working on something you know you can get right is a good start. In particular, anything that can speed up razor sanding and polishing has the potential for producing disaster in a moment, either by munching a piece of edge or by overheating. That includes the Dremel. If it is a valuable piece of your property you plan to sell, that's bad. But if it is a customer's, it may be professional suicide in one easy step.

Good points I know I'm not ready to do it full time. This is just the beginning

Originally Posted by Stubear

I think while you're still saying things like this you shouldnt go into restoring and making blades full time. If someone had sent you their grandads razor to clean up they'd want it back mint.

I've been at this hobby a few years now and I've just got into restoring blade myself and its definitely trickier than it sounds! I also recently did a bladesmithing course and thats definitely way harder than it looks a well..!

I agree with the other guys, start out as a hobby and then see how things go. If you still like it and you start restoring for others see whether its feasible to make a living out of it. But definitely dont give up a bill paying job without another one to replace it!

Roger that. For now its just a hobby. You are right of course, as is the wisdom of everyone thats posted here. I really appreciate you and everyone has taken to share your thoughts. Now I've got to trudge off to work LOL.

Originally Posted by Danocon

OK
Everybody gave great advice on keeping your job and such. But what about the doing?

Below are 4 great books that are more than enough to get you started. These books with a few hands on or at least watching seminars will give you what you need.

Step by step

$50 knife shop

How to make knives


The Complete Bladesmith

And last but by far not the least join Don Foggs bladesmithing forum.

Many of the very best are there and they love to share. Plus there is years of information in old posts and pinned topics.

Best on the net in my opinion.

Thanks so much for posting. I'm going to order those books tonight as well as start looking at the forum this really helps alot

Even recognized master smiths making razors have trouble from time to time to pay the bills. There are not many people earning the big bucks in that niche world. If you quit your job now without even knowing which end of the hammer to hold, you'll be living under a bridge in a cardboard box before you got to the point where you can afford such luxuries as a house, a family or a loaf of bread.

I knew a master razor restorer (Vlad) who shared with us the cost / benefit calculations of some projects he did. Razor restoration is not worth it. The only way to make a living is to make high end customs. and many of the customs makers I know still have a day job (or are in retirement) because razors don't pay the bills.

By all means start making razors, experiment, get feedback and be prepared to spend a long time learning the craft and paying your dues. Do it in whatever free time you have left while also doing your day job to stay alive and earning money for the hardware you need. And if you ever get to the point where you are a recognized name and you have done the calculations and you can foresee making a living... then quit your job.

Otherwise you might as well say that you don't have a drivers license, but you are considering quitting your day job to become a F1 driver.

Originally Posted by Bruno

Even recognized master smiths making razors have trouble from time to time to pay the bills. There are not many people earning the big bucks in that niche world. If you quit your job now without even knowing which end of the hammer to hold, you'll be living under a bridge in a cardboard box before you got to the point where you can afford such luxuries as a house, a family or a loaf of bread.

I knew a master razor restorer (Vlad) who shared with us the cost / benefit calculations of some projects he did. Razor restoration is not worth it. The only way to make a living is to make high end customs. and many of the customs makers I know still have a day job (or are in retirement) because razors don't pay the bills.

By all means start making razors, experiment, get feedback and be prepared to spend a long time learning the craft and paying your dues. Do it in whatever free time you have left while also doing your day job to stay alive and earning money for the hardware you need. And if you ever get to the point where you are a recognized name and you have done the calculations and you can foresee making a living... then quit your job.

Otherwise you might as well say that you don't have a drivers license, but you are considering quitting your day job to become a F1 driver.

Thanks for taking the time to write and consider my situation. My intention at this point is to study and learn and keep doing this as a hobby. From all the kind and wise repliess to my original post, I'd like to say thank you to everyone. You've given me the wisdom and patience to endure and the motivation to learn a new trade before moving on. Last night I ordered the books as suggested by one of our fine members here. I look forward their arrival if anyone else has any suggestions I'll gladly look into them