A nice setup for this morning’s shave test. A freshly restored “The Artist” straight razor, and some MDC shave soap, with an ol’ boar shaving brush. Can’t wait to find it a good home.
A nice group of custom straight razors ready for heat treated tomorrow.
Two custom kamisori razors, one double hollow, one traditional, and three western folding straight razors of both wedge and sheffield style hollow grinds.
These are roughly ground blades, and this is but the first step after forging the pieces. Many more steps to come after the steel is precisely hardened. Finish grinding, polishing, handles…
Still, this is one of the most exciting moments, as the character of the blades really starts to show.
From the grandson:
I have decided to send you my heirloom, My grandfather migrated to the U.S. from Cuba at the age of 36 in 1955 he continued his trade of Barber till 1974. He passed away in 1997 thereafter the razor was put a way till now. Note the sign that reads “$1.00 haircut”. A fine price for an expert trim. I figured you might appreciate a piece of the history behind this Duble Duck Goldedge straight razor.
The vintage photos of his grandfather were kindly shared with me, and illustrate the history behind the blade.
Ducks are always a challenging restoration. The cracked ice scales often deteriorate over time, and the blades, so thin, often have little room for removing age. I put a nice satin polish on the blade, reset the scales, and took the brass to a shine. With some careful restoration, I’m confident it has many generations of life left in it.
Proud to send it home.
Before
After
New blades in the workshop, some great value vintage kits, and several premium blades set in hardwood handles.
Pictured right: Bolivian Rosewood & Ox / Bloodwood and Brass
View Razors For Sale
Decorated a tree for the shop.
Some exciting new steel in the shop – Aogami #2 blue steel.
I’ll be making a special edition run of traditional kamisoris, and hope to post photos of the forgings very soon.
This specially formulated steel comes from pure sand irons in Japan, at Hitachi’s Yasugi plant in the Shimane Prefecture.
This Blue steel is also called Aogami #2, or super blue paper #2 since the steel is wrapped in blue paper when it’s sent to blacksmiths.
This steel is rarely used in the U.S.A due to availability (a limited supply entered the borders a few months ago). Very happy to get some.
Features a high carbon content at 1.10 ~1.20 C, with 0.20 ~0.50 Chromium and 1.00 ~1.50 Tungsten. Known to outperform other Japanese steels like Shirogami ( White Steel) through edge durability and sharpness.
Looking forward to making a small batch of these blades, and test the lore of this steel myself.
A few nice vintage straights are back in the shop. A Wade and Butcher, Dubl Duck, and Wilbert.
Finished this set of custom straight razor scales recently. An old Sheffield hollow ground blade, set in cocobolo handles, with black ox horn wedge.
Yesterday I showed my forgings at the Freedom Market hosted in Old Town Fort Collins’ Bean Cycle.
A very big thank you to Wolverine Farms Publishing for hosting this event, and all the folks who I met.
