How a razor is born:
Well it starts off looking something like this:
Well it starts off looking something like this:
All the raw materials, Sheffield steel, brass rod, washers and various scale materials.
Then a design is drawn up:
Then a design is drawn up:
The design is then transferred onto the steel, cut out & shaped on the belt grinder:
Next the pivot hole is drilled, the tang tapered & the initial hollows are ground:
The razor is heat treated & tempered at precise temperatures in a digitally controlled kiln to achieve 61-62 rockwell hardness just perfect for razors.
Then the razor is finished ground on progressively finer grit belts on a belt grinder, and polished on buffing wheels using various buffing compounds.
Finally I etch my makers mark into the tang using a electrochemical etcher & add its unique # number.
Finally I etch my makers mark into the tang using a electrochemical etcher & add its unique # number.
Next up its scale time, I always do this after I have made the blade as this ensures a perfect fit & I can check that the scales work on a visual level.
Then everything comes together & the razor is pinned with brass washers & rod.
Then the razor is honed on a progression of hones, stroped on linen & leather until it is truly shave ready. And then finally its onto a shave test on my own fair face, only when I am happy does it get sterilised, buffed again & finally coated in Renaissance wax to protect against any corrosion.
The whole process takes anywhere from around 12 hours for a very basic razor to many days work for something more elaborate.
The whole process takes anywhere from around 12 hours for a very basic razor to many days work for something more elaborate.