Hey, just wondering if anyone has forged a straight razor.

If you have I'd love to see it. ^_^

I think Mike Blue from Minnesota is doning a demo at Quad state conference, troy, OH this month

If I were able i would attend that demonstration for sure. I have a lot of years smithing and am pretty confident in forging new items with a minumum of fuss or reruns. I am pretty fair at grinding blades, Both forged and stock removal.Check my website, richhaleknives to see my work. I say all of that to help 'splain why I would say that in looking at old style straight razors, I do not believe I have the ability to forge one and have it meet my expectations for fit finish and usability.I own a few of them and have a plan to make a couple using stock removal for the work. If you are good at the forge it may be a good project for you.

Rich Hale, thanks for the link, your knives look really cool. I like the horn handles.
Once again I'd love seeing any straight razors that smiths have forged, please post any pictures you have. Thanks. ^_^

Murray Carter at Carter Cutlery is making a Japanese style straight razor now. I'm not sure if he's offered any for sale yet but at the end of this video he shows it and shaves with it.

http://youtu.be/c4oHzFNclzQ




-Adam

Jeez, you wouldn't want to get those spoons mixed in with the normal cutlery! :o

I recently purchased 2 straight razors at an antique store with the intent of at least trying to shave with them. I used my 6000 grit water stone and did the Murray Carter strope. Sharp...absolutely! Shaving with it...pita. I'm going back to my Bic.
Anyone else had that experience?
John

I recently purchased 2 straight razors at an antique store with the intent of at least trying to shave with them. I used my 6000 grit water stone and did the Murray Carter strope. Sharp...absolutely! Shaving with it...pita. I'm going back to my Bic.
Anyone else had that experience?
John

I have not tried shaving with a straight razor yet. I understand there is a learning curve to it. I use a Gillete Red Tip double edged razor. You can check out some discussion on shaving at http://www.badgerandblade.com.

I would also like to see pictures of straights anyone has forged.

I recently purchased 2 straight razors at an antique store with the intent of at least trying to shave with them. I used my 6000 grit water stone and did the Murray Carter strope. Sharp...absolutely! Shaving with it...pita. I'm going back to my Bic.
Anyone else had that experience?
John

6k is a rough shave for most faces.

I shave with straight razors regularly, 2 or 3 times a week (frequently I only shave 2-3 times a week). If you would like a Belgian coticule edge to try I'll hone them up for you. PM me and I'll shoot you my address if you want. First class shipping in a padded mailer for a couple razors with tracking is cheap.

I second BadgerandBlade.com for shaving tips.

Phil

I too would like to forge a straight razor. I have a lot of fond memories of watching my grandfather shaving with one. being new to smithing i have found this video on you tube to give me some idea where to start.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IA7qIxyoqQ&feature=fvwrel

Now that is a neat video !


carry on

great video, one that makes me want to light the forge and do one now!

I just wanted to add that in terms of sharpening a straight razor, Murray Carters methods leave a lot to be desired. A straight razor is not a kitchen knife, and what works for his kitchen knives definitely doesn't work with a razor. We've discussed this video at large, and even had a 'dialogue' with Mr Carter but that didn't end well.

 

And as someone else already indicated, 6000 is considered pretty coarse for a razor. 6000 to 8000 grit is usually the last step before going to a finishing stone, like a shapton 16000 grit, or some type of natural stone like a coticule, escher, or nakayama.

I use a norton 8k as my finish before moving to a canvas strop with pastes.  It takes a good bit of practice to be able to put an edge on these razors consistently.