OK, first off, I'm just letting you know this thread is about a razor and not semantics. Semantics are fine, and the Lord knows I can be adamant about them myself... 
I'll be happy to discuss definitions on another thread about my usage in this thread of the term "damascus" with anyone. I just don't want there to be a lost plot to this specific story here because someone wants to take a detour in some other valley by insisting that the razor is pattern welded steel and doesn't qualify as damascus.
I am in the process of making a damascus razor from some steel I was finally able to have Robert Eggerling make for me. I actually started working on the concept a couple years ago. When I asked Robert over the phone if he calls his work "pattern welded steel" or "damascus", he said it didn't matter much to him, but that he refers to his work as "damascus". End of story on that one as far as I am concerned.
Now, on to the story behind this razor I am about to make. (That doesn't have a buyer yet
) I have made a couple damascus razors in the past that I am not particularly fond of. Bill Coffey also made one with its own unique set of problems that do not occur in the manufacture of a knife. A knife, as we all know, has a thicker blade... razors do not.
Because of the thin walls necessary on a razor to make it serviceable, there is an occurrence that is commonplace with all straight razor blades made out of damascus. Almost all of them have a tendency to micro-chip where the two (or three) different steels converge with an acute angle at the cutting edge. This is not a good thing. While these razors can give a satisfying shave, they can also catch a hair just right and it will feel like someone is pulling on your face with a set of pliers. This is why you don't see me making damascus razors.
Until now...
With that said, Tim Zowada has solved the issue on his razors because he tries to make the cutting edge wherein only one of the steels is running parallel to it. There are other damascus type steels some makers have used that incorporate a different type of steel sandwiched between two other steels. Normally, these sandwiched steels are not all that as far as I am concerned.
I like the tighter patterns of damascus on the smaller blades of a straight razor. I think Robert came up with what I was looking for. We'll see how it works. Robert welded a strip of 1084 carbon steel for the cutting edge to the other two steels he used for the pattern. After I get it done and etched, there should be some sharp contrasts that pop out visually.
I'm stoked!
A couple gemstones strategically placed and a bit of practice with some gold-wire inlay and I'll be able to compete with Seraphim's Double Arrows...
I'll be happy to discuss definitions on another thread about my usage in this thread of the term "damascus" with anyone. I just don't want there to be a lost plot to this specific story here because someone wants to take a detour in some other valley by insisting that the razor is pattern welded steel and doesn't qualify as damascus.
I am in the process of making a damascus razor from some steel I was finally able to have Robert Eggerling make for me. I actually started working on the concept a couple years ago. When I asked Robert over the phone if he calls his work "pattern welded steel" or "damascus", he said it didn't matter much to him, but that he refers to his work as "damascus". End of story on that one as far as I am concerned.
Now, on to the story behind this razor I am about to make. (That doesn't have a buyer yet
) I have made a couple damascus razors in the past that I am not particularly fond of. Bill Coffey also made one with its own unique set of problems that do not occur in the manufacture of a knife. A knife, as we all know, has a thicker blade... razors do not.Because of the thin walls necessary on a razor to make it serviceable, there is an occurrence that is commonplace with all straight razor blades made out of damascus. Almost all of them have a tendency to micro-chip where the two (or three) different steels converge with an acute angle at the cutting edge. This is not a good thing. While these razors can give a satisfying shave, they can also catch a hair just right and it will feel like someone is pulling on your face with a set of pliers. This is why you don't see me making damascus razors.
Until now...
With that said, Tim Zowada has solved the issue on his razors because he tries to make the cutting edge wherein only one of the steels is running parallel to it. There are other damascus type steels some makers have used that incorporate a different type of steel sandwiched between two other steels. Normally, these sandwiched steels are not all that as far as I am concerned.
I like the tighter patterns of damascus on the smaller blades of a straight razor. I think Robert came up with what I was looking for. We'll see how it works. Robert welded a strip of 1084 carbon steel for the cutting edge to the other two steels he used for the pattern. After I get it done and etched, there should be some sharp contrasts that pop out visually.
I'm stoked!
A couple gemstones strategically placed and a bit of practice with some gold-wire inlay and I'll be able to compete with Seraphim's Double Arrows...
.
cant wait
till I come close to the getting one
