Turned a crack into a stubby razor

Last weekend I picked up a Frederick Reynolds at a flea market for $15, the scales where shot but I loved the shape of the blade. I unpinned it yesterday and started polishing it. About half way through I noticed a some of the cotton sticking out of the blade, and there it was a nice little hairline crack about 1/2" away from the end of the blade. I was mad so I just put it aside and started working on some other blades. Today I decided that I had nothing to lose and just cut off the end to get rid of the crack.

I used my dremel too with a reinforced cutoff wheel on it. I had to go really slow using this because with the hollow ground blade it will over heat before you know it. After about 15 minutes of starting and stopping I got through it. Sanded it down to get rid of the cutting wheel marks, polished the hell out of it, and tada a bright and shiny 2" razor. No scales yet I have to order some 1/16" brass rod or some nuts and bolts from MF.

Here's a picture of it before with the crack marked in red marker


Here it is next to the same blade after the decapitation


Here's a picture of the end that I cut off


Lastly here's another of the razor by itself

Looks good! I set mine down on a cube of ice as I cut the end off. Worked pretty well and took only a few minutes. With that thick spine maybe make it into a pseudo kamisori?

I am going to make a set of miniature scales for it. I have yet to use a straight razor but what would the draw backs be of using a small razor. Surely you don't use the full length of the blade on a full size razor.

hig789 said:

I am going to make a set of miniature scales for it. I have yet to use a straight razor but what would the draw backs be of using a small razor. Surely you don't use the full length of the blade on a full size razor.

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Nice work!

No, you don't need the whole length to shave. It might be easier when you are learning, though. Also, you will find it easier to learn on a long razor, and then go to a short one. If you do it the other way around I can see you cutting your ear, etc. because you are not used to that extra inch of blade.

*Applause*

it is looking very nice.
Enjoy the shaving with it. F. Reynolds straights are my favorites. Be caution with the shorter length

i like it.... you made lemonaid from a bit of a lemon....

make sure and show us the finished product after ya make some scales...

I thought about entering it in the contest when I get some scales on it, but I don't know that it qualifies. It was one that I was just going to wait till later or just not do at all. What do you guys think?

job well done

hig789 said:

I thought about entering it in the contest when I get some scales on it, but I don't know that it qualifies. It was one that I was just going to wait till later or just not do at all. What do you guys think?

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Enter it! A cracked blade would definitely put it into the too hard basket for a lot of people! Good save.

Alright I will.