I'm gonna build a solid silver DE razor from scratch w/ enamel and a stone setting.

[_MementoMori_]

I'm in a metalsmithing class this spring, and I showed my teacher my New Standard yesterday. She loved it and suggested that I build my own. So... I'm going to do it. Due to the complexity, she's allowing me to count it as two projects instead of one. This will allow me most of the semester to complete it. I will definitely post pics of its progress here as well as preliminary design ideas.

It's probably going to be a three piece razor like the New Standard. She said it wouldn't be that hard to make. She wants to see some other models tomorrow, though, so I think I'm going to show her a Fat Handle Tech and something else. The TTOs are out of the question, obviously.

 

[mdunn]

sounds good - make sure you keep us all posted with how you go along the way!

 

[ackvil]

Wow, I am constantly amazed by the talent on this forum.

 

[Maineac]

Looking forward to seeing those pics!!

What ever happened to your Tweezerman handle painting project?

 

[_MementoMori_]

Wow, I am constantly amazed by the talent on this forum.

Well... let's not call it talent yet. Haha.

I have already taken and completed an intro metalsmithing class, but it didn't cover anything as intricate as casting or stone setting. Making the razor will employ both of these techniques. I've also never worked in silver. My last class was based mainly on copper work, though I did complete one project in titanium.

 

[_MementoMori_]

Looking forward to seeing those pics!!

What ever happened to your Tweezerman handle painting project?

I did one! I forgot to post pics because it's my wife's Tweezerman. I'll put them up tonight. It's not as cool as the ideas we discussed in that thread though. It's just paint and high gloss spray poly.

 

[smokelaw1]

Subscribed! I look forward to those pics. That class sounds like tons of fun!

 

[hometownhero]

Subscribed! I look forward to those pics. That class sounds like tons of fun!

x2

 

[Maineac]

I did one! I forgot to post pics because it's my wife's Tweezerman. I'll put them up tonight. It's not as cool as the ideas we discussed in that thread though. It's just paint and high gloss spray poly.

Being a Tweezerman enthusiast I really enjoyed that thread.

 

[cooncatbob]

Are you going to make the head from scratch?
Getting proper blade angle and exposure is much harder then it seems.
Handles are easy, 2nd thing you learn in Machine 1 is how to turn and knurl simple handles.
Bob.

 

[_MementoMori_]

Are you going to make the head from scratch?
Getting proper blade angle and exposure is much harder then it seems.
Handles are easy, 2nd thing you learn in Machine 1 is how to turn and knurl simple handles.
Bob.

Yeah, I'll be carving the head from wax and casting it using a centrifugal spinner thingy. I'll do my best for accuracy, but I'm ready to accept the possibility that it may in the end be no more than a decorative piece. The instructor seems confident that we can create a functional piece. Thanks for the input Bob.

 

[kwsher]

Can't wait and look forward to following your "build" thread. Many pics please!

Good luck.

 

[GentsInstinct]

Solid silver as in the full body of the handle too? This should be fun! Subscribed too as I want to see this! At approx. $18.50 an ounce, is the school paying for the silver or you?

 

[Defend Tacoma]

This is very cool. Kudos to you for setting your sights high. I get first dibs if u want to sell it!

 

[_MementoMori_]

Solid silver as in the full body of the handle too? This should be fun! Subscribed too as I want to see this! At approx. $18.50 an ounce, is the school paying for the silver or you?

That will depend, but it is a possibility. The instructor is going to look at the examples I bring her tomorrow and advise me as to how I should proceed. And yeah, unfortunately, it's all coming out of my pocket. Not quite the way I want to spend my AD money.

 

[Blue-EyedSon]

It sounds like a really fun project. Have fun and be sure to keep us updated on your progress. Do you have any ABC razors that you could show her? I don't know anything about metal work and I would guess that the engraving and detail on those are probably a bit more than a second year project, but I would definitely sign up to buy a new razor if it was made with that kind of detail and craftwork. Good luck!

 

[_MementoMori_]

It sounds like a really fun project. Have fun and be sure to keep us updated on your progress. Do you have any ABC razors that you could show her? I don't know anything about metal work and I would guess that the engraving and detail on those are probably a bit more than a second year project, but I would definitely sign up to buy a new razor if it was made with that kind of detail and craftwork. Good luck!

Actually, recreating an ABC handle doesn't seem like it would be that hard. I'd be doing all of the engraving on hard wax. As long as I'm successful with my engraving, the casting does the rest. I don't have an ABC razor, but I can show her a picture of one. Great idea!

 

[GentsInstinct]

And put a magnet in the end like the Eclipse Red Ring.

 

[Go West Young Man]

Seems like a good opportunity to make that TTO adjustable dual comb (closed/open) slant razor we talked about a few months ago.

 

[talibeard]

Yeah, I'll be carving the head from wax and casting it using a centrifugal spinner thingy. I'll do my best for accuracy, but I'm ready to accept the possibility that it may in the end be no more than a decorative piece. The instructor seems confident that we can create a functional piece. Thanks for the input Bob.

I used that technique (ages ago) too and it is fun but not very accurate; when you want a good razor some machining afterwards wouldn't be a bad idea. When working in silver you will need a solid design anyway because it is far too soft for slim or open comb designs.