Home made straight razor

[Walter Wall]

I have just started shaving with a straight razor, and have also made my own razor.
The blade was forged from 1095 high carbon steel. I have made a few knives before from old files, but new steel is quite cheap. I bought mine from American Knifemakers. The scales are made from purple heart.
View attachment 377741 Here is the blade, towards the end of the forging process. I tried to get as close to the final shape as possible, including some hollowing of the blade. Its a lot easier to shape hot metal, than to grind it cold. If I make more razors I might make a die.
View attachment 377742Here it is after the rough grind. I used a cheap bench grinder. I would say the cross section is about half way between a wedge and hollow ground.
View attachment 377743 After hardening and tempering. It might be a little over tempered - looking at the blue colour.
It shaves quite well.
http://bladeshave.blogspot.co.nz/

 

[hawgsquatch]

.......and yours is the world and everything in it

what is more

you'll be a man my son.

Excellent craftsmanship. I am humbled.

 

[mjclark]

Wow! How inspiring
It must be increcdibly satizfying to shave with a straight you have made yourself, and it's something very few people in this century could lay claim to.
Top job!

 

[Gamma]

Wow.
Very cool.

 

[cleanshaved]

Welcome to B&B fellow Wellingtonian. That is a great start you have made.

 

[Sando]

You're off to a good start. That's so cool that you can make your own razor. How long did it take?
I frequently watch Charlie Lewis' youtubes and wish I could do the same.

 

[Doc226]

He shaved with a razor made from iron dug out from his backyard, hand forged in an over, grinded in a garage and it was GOOD

Awesome work