Razors

[cl1237]

Picked up some of WoodTurningz Mach3 razor kits during their new year sale. Made these with a variety of materials, AA, alumilite, denim micarta and stabilized corn cob.
I see just about all the turning suppliers have their own version of a mach3 kit, which ones does everyone prefer?

 

[BULLWINKLE]

Those are all beautiful ! Excellent craftsmanship. I like the denim micarta best. Where did you get that blank ?
I may be the LAST person to shave with a straight razor. Used them for a long time. Haven't bought blades in over 30 years.

 

[Woodchipper]

Very nice. On the cutting edge.

 

[cl1237]

Those are all beautiful ! Excellent craftsmanship. I like the denim micarta best. Where did you get that blank ?
I may be the LAST person to shave with a straight razor. Used them for a long time. Haven't bought blades in over 30 years.

Thank you! I made it myself. Pretty simple but messy process. Cut the blue jeans into equal strips, coated with bondo fiberglass resin and pressed between two pieces of plywood covered in parchment paper until it was hardened

 

[BULLWINKLE]

Thanks for the information. ! Beautiful blank

 

[Sataro]

It is hard to pick one from that bunch. They all look fantastic! I'm partial to the blue Jean one & the corn cob. How many layers of blue jeans to get a nice size blank?

 

[BULLWINKLE]

It is hard to pick one from that bunch. They all look fantastic! I'm partial to the blue Jean one & the corn cob. How many layers of blue jeans to get a nice size blank?

I would guess enough to make 3/4 inch should be sufficient. I asked the originator of the post, he posted how he did it. Didn't say how many layers but I suppose you can add enough to make it the size you require.

 

[cl1237]

It is hard to pick one from that bunch. They all look fantastic! I'm partial to the blue Jean one & the corn cob. How many layers of blue jeans to get a nice size blank?

So that's what I struggled with on my first attempt, I started with 1" of material hoping it would compress down a bit. Turns out with the bad clamping set up I had, you could squeeze one inch of material into something more suitable for knife scales lol.
My solution for clamping is a press made out of two pieces of plywood with 3/4" spacers. Stack the material in the press then clamp or use nuts and bolts on each corner to compress the top of the press until it touches the spacers

 

[BULLWINKLE]

Thanks ! I collect pocket knives and my favorites have denim micarta handles !!!!
I've never seen denim micarta blanks for sale.

 

[howsitwork]

corn cob then the blue one for me !

 

[cl1237]

Thanks ! I collect pocket knives and my favorites have denim micarta handles !!!!
I've never seen denim micarta blanks for sale.

I originally got the idea years ago when I was making handles for Mora Knives. I saw a drop point skinner with denim micarta but never got around to trying it.
I think exotic blanks has some micarta blanks called crazy micarta. I'm going to attempt another batch soon if the weather stays warm (won't make the mistake of using the smelly bindi in the house again ) I'd be happy to send you one