Straight razor issues

E

elementfe

Joined
May 3, 2008
Messages
1,436
My Google mojo must be bad: I'm sure this has been kicked around quite a bit, but I'm not finding the threads.

Can anyone point me to info on what makes a good straight razor good, and any issues on building them? I got a request for some and it's just a blade, but I'm hearing a lot of "oh...straight razors are really different from any other edged tool...."
Thanks for any links of info.

Happy Fourth!

Andy
 
Steel choice is the biggest factor if you are a competant maker. The smallest carbides possible, 1084, 1095 O1 is common, cpm154 is ok and CTS XHP is best or stainless.

Learn your grinds, be vigilant of keeping the edge centered, post HT grinding is slow going due to very thin edges. Be sure not to get a wavy spine, and keep the tail taper centered as well. Near wedge is the simplest grind to start with, then move up the hollow to 1/4 hollow and so-on.


-Xander
 
spine thickness is the control for edge angle and you need to fall between 15 and 20 degrees for them to shave proper (thats total angle )
be ready to grind the edge to under .004 thick if you want it to be easyer to hone up
the wedge is not the easyest to do but a 6/8 with a 10 inch wheel is how its done

doing a part hollow 1/4 or half hollow is a bit easer due to a bit of "wiggle" room as you thin ut near the edge
 
Thanks for the tips, people!
I'll start with copying a 6/8 out of 1/4" W2 and see how it goes...
 
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