Straight Razors and Razor Rolls

So yes we are on vacation, in Hawaii, and yes I am playing on the computer. However it is 10 pm here, wife and kids passed out, and 3am in Texas. I am a bit tired but bored and figured I would post some things. So on the way to the airport Monday, sent off a 16 slot grey roll to a friend. Hope you like it.

So let’s see how today went. Walked down to the ocean today to play in the water. The twins freaked out. I think that it was a combination of the sand and the water crashing in. They wanted nothing to do with the beach. Played at the pool for an hour or so. After that hopped in the van and went cruising. Headed up to Kapa’a and Wailua. Very pretty area. Visited Wailua Falls. If you have ever seen the opening to the 70′s tv show Fantasy Island, then you have seen these falls. The great thing is that you can get the view below from the roadside. Went to Lydgate Park and let the kiddos play for quite a long time. Good to wear them down some. Got some food at Bubba’s Burgers. Great food, nice shorts!!!

Highlight of my day was going to The Koa Store. Not only do they have items made of Koa, but they have koa lumber for sale there. I bought a few pieces there. Now just have to figure out a way to get them home. Not illegal or anything, I just packed well coming, so don’t know if everything will make it back.

So long for today. I should have some more razor rolls done when I get home next week. George’s razor needs fixin’, and the RB&R is pending and should be shipping on Wed.

razorsmith

So sent out one of George’s razors out today. I shall affectionately call them Bigboy(7/8) and Pitts(13/16). Bigboy went out insured and tracked.

I took Pitts back and and worked on the finish again. Originally seeing as how bad the pitting was, I decided not to put a high polish on either razor. Well, I changed my mind. Happy that I did. Originally the pitting was still showing black within the pitts. Most of that is gone and even the pitts are shining. I went ahead and through Pitts in the epoxied rosewood scales. I was ready to throw both of them in the mail today, however the spacer is just not fitting quite right on Pitts. So I need to rework vs. sending out as is. However I wanted to post photos to show the progression of the blade.

As with Bigboy, I went ahead and honed. This took a very keen edge, however it took a while to get good metal. Had to move quite a bit, however now this thing is a beauty with a mean bite. Super smooth and crisp. Wipes through the hairs so easy. This will be a great razor when I get the spacer right. Sorry for the delay George.

razorsmith

So sent out one of George’s razors out today. I shall affectionately call them Bigboy(7/8) and Pitts(13/16). Bigboy went out insured and tracked.

I took Pitts back and and worked on the finish again. Originally seeing as how bad the pitting was, I decided not to put a high polish on either razor. Well, I changed my mind. After seeing the benefits of Pitts, I took Bigboy back also. Wow I am so happy that I did. the pics below can show the affects. The remaining pitting does not show as badly as I thought that it would.

As for the scales, I had another W&B that had really nice horn scales for a 150+ year old razor. I sacrificed my blade for this one, and I think it was really worth it. I also had a set of original domed washers that I reused for the pivot. Worked out really well.

Honed up this bad boy. 325 to establish bevel, then all the way up to 8k on the stones. Finished off on 1 then .5 micron and cro-ox before 80 laps on leather. And let me say that I just love these big heavy wedges. Just scared the hairs off. Super smooth and sexy to boot.

George, I hope you enjoy this one!! This is one of those razors I would buy in a heartbeat.

razorsmith

I acquired this razor from ebay over a year ago. I wanted a really old razor and this one just called to me. It is a John Barber. About a 11/16, looks like a mason/type tang stamp. Lightly rusted.

I am finally getting around to working on it. This is the one that is the ’67 camaro under the tarp in the garage.’ I will get it to pristine immaculate condition. One day. In the future.

No idea on scales or finish, but it will probably be a satin finish with some bone or horn scales. This one is mine all mine and will add to those I consider to be ‘part of the collection.’

Pics:::

So the brushes that I had listed for sale have now all been sold!! Happy times. I have one more that I need to finish up and it will go for sale also.

The RB&R Spike point is still available, as well as the Joseph Allen Barber Notch. Both great shaving razors that were a part of the rotation at one point.

I hope to add some new razors for sale over the next few days, but we will see. I have some rolls that I need to make, and some honing to do.

Stay tuned for more great brushes and razors.

Darren aka: razorsmith

so a post on a couple of razors i am working on for a friend. These both had extensive pitting, however one had much deeper pitting. at some point you have to question when to stop removing metal. i think the larger W&B looks good with a nice satin finish. this one is finished up to 600 grit set in original period correct horn that i borrowed from another blade. i have a set of epoxied cocobolo that are ready to go on, however trying to work the horn in on the deal.

W&B Satin in Horn

W&B Satin

the 2nd one has huge pits in the spine, however the edge is in really good shape. the face also has ‘celebrated razor’ etched in, however the pitting has taken over most of that. so again, question is how far to take the sanding without sacrificing the razor’s integrity. if i were to get rid of all of the pitting, i would get rid of half of the metal in this blade.

W&B Celebrated

W&B Celebrated Pitting

so here is the current project, and i hope that i can get these finished up soon. the 2nd blade is going into some epoxy rosewood scales.

razorsmith

Finishing up on a few projects this weekend. Just got out of the shop to go eat some cereal, and decided to type a bit.

I had a bottle stopper blank of black and white ebony that was just beautiful. Notice I said was. These blanks work really good for small brushes. So that is what I was working on now. Got it turned, hole matched for the brush knot, and now finishing the small piece that was attached to the glue block. Should be able to epoxy the knot in tomorrow. I will then have probably 3 brushes that I can put up for sale for very reasonable prices.

And I hope to be able to list 4-5 razors that will be for sale as well. I have them finished, and can put them up on SRP or B&B now, however I really would like to start selling exclusively on my RazorSmith site.

And a project that I am working on for a fellow B&Ber. 2 older W&B razors that had lots of pitting and issues. One of them I took a majority of the pitting out, however getting rid of it all was taking off mucho metal. So I took it to a 600 grit satin finish. Looks so great and hides more of the remaining pitting better than a mirror finish would show it. The other blade is a great blade, however getting rid of these pits would severely change the razor. Some of the pittings on the face near the spine are around 1/32nd deep. So I am working with what I can and getting it to a shaving condition. Judging by the way the blade took to the sanding, should be hard steel and the edge is in great shape so this should hone up well. Cocobolo scales on the 1st one, and rosewood on the 2nd. Both epoxied and looking good.

So needing to touch base with my webdude and get my shopping/ecommerce side taken care of. Hopefully tomorrow. That is my last piece to get my site fully functional.

Till next time.

razorsmith

so the site is now up and going. yay me!! i am still working on some of the small things, but overall not bad. right now i just have way to much going on to focus on any one thing.

• restoring 2 razors for client.
• restoring about 4 for me
• extra scales
• honing razors to get ready to put on sale
• need to make more razor rolls. i will be shipping the last of the 6 i had ready tomorrow.

and this is all without having a personal life.

• mother’s day came and went without a hitch. mama is getting 2 good presents. 5 days in canada without any kids, and a week in hawaii in june.
• 3 kids getting over all the allergies of the last few weeks.
• indoor vball coaching just ended, now time for outdoor. 3-4 days a week in the sand and sun. yep, life sucks!!!!
• juggling practice. trying to juggle 4 clubs and 5 balls. (independently not all 9 at one time.)

and somehow through all of this i need to maintain a job, appease SWMBO, entertain the kiddos, keep up the house, blah blah blah. what can i say.

LIFE IS FUN!!!

razorsmith

Working on new roll design and uses. Check back for new material.

16 Slot Roll Grey

Welcome to the 1st post of the new site of RazorSmith.com. This site should be fully functional with content over the next few days/weeks. Please stay tuned as new items come up they will be posted.

Expect items such as restored vintage straight razors, shaving brushes, travel roll ups for straights, tshirts, custom pens, and other concoctions that come into my hobby room.

Good luck with your own endeavors, but stay tuned to mine!!!