Elite Razor - Custom and Unique Razors and Brushes

Eskimo · Sep 26, 2016

It has been a bit eventful the past several weeks.

I am very pleased to have established a relationship with BarberBrands, Inc (http://www.barberbrands.com.au), who will be offering my pieces in the Australian/New Zealand market. My first shipment will be available just as soon as the good folks in the Australian Customs Office finish admiring my work.

Unrelated, but very serendipitous, my work was recently featured in an article in the current issue of The Cutthroat Journal (see link below, pages 74-75), a Barber's and Men's grooming publication. A good friend of my neighbor, who owns several Barber Shops in Australia, was visiting from Sydney several months ago and came by to look at my work. Upon his return, he asked for some pictures and authored a very nice article about my shop. A very pleasant surprise.

http://thecutthroatjournal.com/issue/

In the meantime, the response to the Manchurian White and High Mountain White premium knots has been extraordinary. I still have a good stock, but they are going quickly.

I have had the opportunity to finish a couple of new pieces that are listed and available on my site at http://www.eliterazor.com.

Copper Laced Onyx - Copper Laced Onyx is a member of the chalcedony family which also includes carnelian, agate, bloodstone, etc. Occurring naturally in a variety of colors, black onyx is polished to enhance appearance and is a member of the quartz family. The name comes from the Greek word onyx which means nail of a finger or claw. Legend says that one day while Venus was sleeping Eros/Cupid cut her fingernails and left the clippings scattered on the ground. Because no part of a heavenly body can die, the gods turned them into stone which later became known as Onyx.

Blue Lapis - This opaque, deep blue gemstone has a grand past. It was among the first gemstones to be worked on and worn as jewelry. At excavations in the ancient centers of culture around the Mediterranean, archaeologists have again and again found among the grave furnishings decorative chains and figures made of Lapis clear indications that the deep blue stone was already popular thousands of years ago among the people of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Persia, Greece and Rome. It is said that the legendary city of Ur on the Euphrates plied a keen Lapis trade as long ago as the fourth millennium B.C., the material coming to the land of the two great rivers from the famous deposits in Afghanistan. In other cultures, Lapis was regarded as a holy stone. Particularly in the Middle East, it was thought to have magical powers.

The brush shown below was made by custom request and has gone to live in its' new home. Many thanks to Doug Korn for making some of his translucent material available to me for this piece.

I've also added a number of new razor handles.

Irish Bog Oak

Two-tone Desert Ironwood burl

As always, thanks for looking,

Bob

Eskimo · Sep 30, 2016

A few new brushes have been completed and are listed and available on my site at http://www.eliterazor.com.

Emerald Green and Black swirl - This brush handle is from a custom pour that Peter from Wolf Whickers did for me (Thanks, Peter). I have several more pieces in the green and black, as well as some maroon and black and dark blue and black.

Camphor burl - Camphor Burl is a beautiful, soft, aromatic wood. It originates from China, Japan, Korea and other areas of East Asia. The camphor tree, an evergreen, grows slowly. It takes 50 years or more before one becomes large enough to distill camphor from its bark. In that time, the tree can reach 100' tall; with the spread of its branches frequently double its height. Centuries ago, the unsanctioned cutting of a camphor tree in China or Formosa (Taiwan) was punishable by death. That's because camphorwood was reserved for sacred ceremonial items, such as the Chinese mu-yu drum used in temples. But chang-mu, as the wood is called in China, eventually flourished in foreign trade. Ship captains and other seafarers sought it for their sea chests to ward off moths.

As always, thanks for looking,

Bob

Eskimo · Oct 3, 2016

Below are several brushes I have completed over the weekend.

As mentioned in the previous post, shown below are the Blue/Black and Red/Black swirl pieces. These are listed and available athttp://www.eliterazor.com. I also have several more pieces of these colors, as well as the Green/Black available.

As always, thanks for looking,

Bob

Eskimo · Oct 17, 2016

Below are a couple of new pieces have made their way out of the shop and are listed and available at http://www.eliterazor.com

Also, the Manchurian White 24mm Fan knots are back in stock.

Irish Bog Oak

Bethlehem Olive Wood

Ancient Kauri - Ancient Kauri is the worlds oldest workable wood. New Zealand native Kauri trees that fell thousands of years ago are known simply as Ancient Kauri. The trees have been buried and preserved underground in swamps for more than 45,000 years. Numerous independent radio carbon dating by world experts confirm that at more than 45,000 years old, the buried Ancient Kauri recovered in the far north of New Zealand is among the oldest of all Ancient Kauri found and certainly the oldest workable wood in the world by a long, long way. Ancient Kauri pre-dates the migration of Neanderthal man into North America, the hunt for mammoths and cave paintings in Europe. The Kauri forest was already buried some 25,000 years before the on-set of the last Ice Age giving scientists an important insight into Earths climatic past. Some other ages:

16,000 years ago the depressions that will become the Great Lakes were fully formed

This region became ice-free approximately 5,000 years ago, at the end of the last ice age.

The oldest Homo Sapiens were on earth around 40,000 years ago.

Wooly Mammoths and Saber Tooth Tigers became extinct about 10,000 years ago.

The La Brea Tar Pits in California were actively gaining specimens 40,000 to 10,000 years ago.

Oregon Myrtle - Oregon Myrtle grows in Southwestern Oregon and Northwestern California. The Myrtle tree grows very slowly, putting on only 1-12″ of growth during each of its first few years. They may take 80-120 years to reach full size. Oregon Myrtle wood possesses a wide variety of beautiful colors and grain patterns and is noted by many as being one of the worlds most beautiful woods. In the Bible, the Myrtle tree is of special religious significance, representing fertility and life. In 1869 the golden spike was driven into the myrtle wood tie marking the completion of the transcontinental railroad. The value of myrtle wood reached monetary proportions during the depression years when the city of North Bend, Oregon, issued myrtle wood script after the only bank in town failed. The coins ranged from $0.50 to $10. For years, the Chase Manhattan Bank of New York displayed a complete set of these wooden coins.

As always, thanks for looking,

Bob

Downing · Oct 20, 2016

Eskimo said:
I have had the opportunity to finish a couple of new pieces that are listed and available on my site at http://www.eliterazor.com.

Copper Laced Onyx - Copper Laced Onyx is a member of the chalcedony family which also includes carnelian, agate, bloodstone, etc. Occurring naturally in a variety of colors, black onyx is polished to enhance appearance and is a member of the quartz family. The name comes from the Greek word onyx which means nail of a finger or claw. Legend says that one day while Venus was sleeping Eros/Cupid cut her fingernails and left the clippings scattered on the ground. Because no part of a heavenly body can die, the gods turned them into stone which later became known as Onyx.

As always, thanks for looking,

Bob

Sorry, Bob, but I just couldn't allow you to ship this one out of the country to Oz. So I just did my patriotic duty and pulled the trigger on it for myself.

Eskimo · Oct 30, 2016

I salute you.

Thanks

Eskimo · Oct 30, 2016

Several new brushes have been listed and are available at http://www.eliterazor.com. Shown below are a few of the new additions.

Desert Ironwood burl - This is a beautiful piece with great figure

Old Growth Poplar

Thuya Burl - Lots of "eyes" in this handle

Irish Bog Oak

As always, thanks for looking,

Bob

cruise_bone · Nov 3, 2016

Hey, Bob.
I have a Merkur 34c with one of your handles and I love it! You can see the razor in the attached photo. I would like to get a matching brush if possible.
If I pm's you my name, etc., could you look back through your records to look up the handle that I have and to determine if you have a matching brush, or could do a matching brush?
Love your stuff and will probably be buying my twin unit a brush/razor for a gift soon.
Thanks!

Eskimo · Nov 5, 2016

I do have 2 brushes listed on my site that are made of that same material. I also have 1 remaining piece that I have not yet turned. If either of the brushes shown below are of interest to you, they are ready to go. PM me if you have any questions or if you would like me ti turn a new handle for you. Bob

cruise_bone said:
Hey, Bob.
I have a Merkur 34c with one of your handles and I love it! You can see the razor in the attached photo. I would like to get a matching brush if possible.
If I pm's you my name, etc., could you look back through your records to look up the handle that I have and to determine if you have a matching brush, or could do a matching brush?
Love your stuff and will probably be buying my twin unit a brush/razor for a gift soon.
Thanks!

View attachment 700137

ackvil · Nov 5, 2016

Beautiful work, Bob.

cruise_bone · Nov 6, 2016

Great. Thanks Bob.
I like the 2nd picture version in your post above but I am clueless as the difference between the 2band and 3band. What are those?

Are the 2 and 3 bands Badger?

How large are the knots in the pictures in your post?

When you say that you can turn one, can I pick any of the knots listed on your website under the premium knots section?
What are the differences between high mountain white and manchurian white?

I do like the 24mm and 26mm Manchurian Whites on your website. Are those 2 bands?

I would prefer the 2nd picture in the above post with the 26mm Manchurian White. How do I go about ordering that on your website?

Thanks again, and Sorry for the stupid noobie questions.

Eskimo · Nov 9, 2016

cruise_bone said:
Great. Thanks Bob.
I like the 2nd picture version in your post above but I am clueless as the difference between the 2band and 3band. What are those?

Are the 2 and 3 bands Badger?

How large are the knots in the pictures in your post?

When you say that you can turn one, can I pick any of the knots listed on your website under the premium knots section?
What are the differences between high mountain white and manchurian white?

I do like the 24mm and 26mm Manchurian Whites on your website. Are those 2 bands?

I would prefer the 2nd picture in the above post with the 26mm Manchurian White. How do I go about ordering that on your website?

Thanks again, and Sorry for the stupid noobie questions.

PM sent

Eskimo · Nov 17, 2016

A few new brushes that just came out of the shop. These are listed and available at http://www.eliterazor.com

Jamaica Dogwood

Disco

Honduran Rosewood Burl

I don't do many Beehive handles and the one shown below was built for a custom order. It is made of Gold Laced Onyx.

As always, thanks for looking.

Bob

Eskimo · Nov 18, 2016

I recently came across a very unique acrylic block with multiple sheets of translucent color encased in clear acrylic. The result is a pretty cool prism effect as you turn the brush in your hand. I was only able to acquire enough for 2 brush handles and below is the result of the first turning. It is shown with a 24mm knot at a 49mm loft.

As always, thanks for looking,

Bob

Eskimo · Nov 27, 2016

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

I was able to get some good time in the shop and finished up a number of new brushes and razor handles. Shown below are just a few of the piece that have been listed and are available on my site at http://www.eliterazor.com

Barber Pole razor handle

Copper laced quartz razor handle

Alternate Horn

Sassafras

Honduran Rosewood burl

As always, thanks for looking,

Bob

Eskimo · Dec 6, 2016

I have been working on a number of custom orders for brushes and razor handles, but I did have some time to build a couple of exceptionally nice pens.

These pens are made of the highest quality materials available and may be configured as either Rollerball or Fountain pens prior to shipping. They will be delivered in a beautiful glass-topped display/presentation case and would be a very special gift this Christmas.

The pens shown below are available at http://www.eliterazor.com

Carbon and Steel - This is really Damascus Steel, but Paypal feels compelled to place a hold on anything with "Damascus" in the name. Traditional Damascus Steel is a type of steel alloy that is both hard and flexible, a combination that made it ideal for the building of swords. It is said that when Damascus-made swords were first encountered by Ottomans during the Crusades, it garnered an almost mythical reputationa Damascus steel blade was said to be able to cut a piece of silk in half as it fell to the ground, as well as being able to chop through normal blades, or even rock, without losing its sharp edge.

Carbon and Silver Mokume-Gane - Mokume-Gane (pronounced Moe-koo-may Gah-nay) is the ancient Japanese metal working technique where layers of contrasting color metals such as copper, brass, nickel silver, gold, and silver are fusion welded with very high heat and pressure into one solid block of metal. Traditional Mokume-Gane is extremely rare and sells for hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars for a very small quantity. The name Mokume Gane refers to the visual appearance of a pattern in metal approximating that of wood. Mokume literally means wood eye, which would be used to describe a highly figured wood grain. Gane translates as metal. So, in English, wood grain metal is a near-literal translation.