Custom DE razor handles

[rbthum]

Here are two razor handles custom made to my specs by Tom Rakowski. The workmanship is first rate, as are the materials. These were crafted this year and last.

The first - carrying a Joris head - is Mammoth ivory, Baltic amber, instrument grade African ebony, separated by sterling silver bands. The top and heel are from the original Joris rodium handle. Length 4 3/8", weight 50 grams.

The second - carrying the current Jagger head - is Mammoth ivory and black buffalo horn. The top is from the original Jagger handle. Length 4 3/8", weight 65 grams.

RTH

 

[BigNickel]

Beautiful handiwork, thank you for sharing those images!!

 

[coolbus18]

I dig art that works . Tasty, indeed!

 

[Chadao]

Mammoth Ivory?

 

[Scott0079]

Nice!

 

[rbthum]

Mammoth Ivory?

Yes, from 10,000 year old mammoths. This is not elephant ivory, which has been banned in international trade for 25 years. Mammoths are regularly unearthed in the Siberian permafrost and their ivory - since the species is long extinct - is legal for trade. Some estimate there may be as many as a million mammoths still buried in Russia. Today mammoth ivory is used for knife scales, piano keys, chess sets and other decorative items like these handles.

 

[ryan2022]

Wow, amazing polish. Nice work

 

[DevilDog0402]

Beautiful handiwork, thank you for sharing those images!!

Indeed!

 

[rbthum]

Here are two shots of Tom Rakowski's work on the Joris handle. They are "before" and "after" alongside the mother amber. Tom said cutting and drilling Baltic amber in its original raw state is akin to cutting and drilling glass. An enormous amount of hand shaping/sanding/polishing was required to finish the handle. Mechanically working the brittle material might have caused it to chip or splinter.

Looks good!

 

[alex2363]

Yes, from 10,000 year old mammoths. This is not elephant ivory, which has been banned in international trade for 25 years. Mammoths are regularly unearthed in the Siberian permafrost and their ivory - since the species is long extinct - is legal for trade. Some estimate there may be as many as a million mammoths still buried in Russia. Today mammoth ivory is used for knife scales, piano keys, chess sets and other decorative items like these handles.

So your handle is 10,000 old? WOW!!!

 

[alex2363]

Here are two shots of Tom Rakowski's work on the Joris handle. They are "before" and "after" alongside the mother amber. Tom said cutting and drilling Baltic amber in its original raw state is akin to cutting and drilling glass. An enormous amount of hand shaping/sanding/polishing was required to finish the handle. Mechanically working the brittle material might have caused it to chip or splinter.

Looks good!

That must cost you a fortune

 

[AABCDS]

I've never seen anything like your handles! Excellent!

 

[wagstaff]

Amazing... really nice work!
But as far as how old they are, your hands themselves are stardust. (Just sayin'...)

 

[rbthum]

If any of you are interested in custom handles with natural materials, think about Tom Rakowski in Austin (TJR Design, [email protected]). He does fine work. So far Tom's made me three razor handles (I plan another soon in Cameroon ebony), as well as several exotic pipe tampers.

 

[rbthum]

Here is latest custom handle from Tom Rakowski. It is 4 3/8" long, 65 grams, and hand-worked from Gabon instrument-grade ebony, Baltic amber, Russian mammoth ivory and file-worked sterling silver. It carries the Mühle R-41 head.

Also attached are Tom's work-in-progress shots.

H

 

[kingfisher]

Wow. That's beautiful.

 

[GDCarrington]

Excellent work!

 

[duderubble]

very cool

 

[The Dean]

WOW! That's art.

 

[hdjj00]

Those handles are stunning!!!