Thread: So Here's The Thing...

Originally Posted by pcg

As a guy who's been self-employed for 25 years, I want to emphasize that all of these comments are excellent. Make sure your razor business is pulling in real dough while you're working full time elsewhere. Don't quit a good job w/o having all the licks down first. 10,000 hrs may be an exaggeration, but there's also a lot of truth to it. I'd recommend spending a year or more doing this as a serious hobby, and then if you still feel as passionate about leaving your "real" job--and only then--send some private mail to three or four of the master restorers who hang out here and ask them if it's possible to really make a decent living restoring and honing blades.

Thanks so much for the post, believe me I'm really paying attention and I really appreciate all the comments and advice. I think the end goal is I want my own business. I'd love it to be part of something that I have a real passion for. I won't quit my job, but boy do I wish I could LOL. I'll take my time and learn all I can. I'm hoping to find a bladesmith in my area. And if I'm lucky I'll get him or her to teach me somethings Thanks for your advice, and your time limit on beginning this journey

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.