I still remember the very first time I lay my eyes on one of @Draco Noir SOTD, the elusive Kamisori. What a traditional looking tool. My Silver-sense was tingling. I proceeded ahead to PM Draco about them. He spent a few paragraphs to explain to me what they are and how they shave. He even offered to borrow me one to shave with. I kindly rejected his offer, as I couldn't even get a decent shave out of a DE, furthermore a Kamisori.
Many moons later, as I get to know @Draco Noir a little more, the curiosity got the better of me. Being a big fan of metal artpieces, I have decided to procure a Kamisori for myself. And @Draco Noir introduced me to HG Razors, operated by @gregg. This is a little tale of the journey between myself and the razor maker. This will be a pre-review for now, until the razor arrives at my doorstep for me to try it out, then a review will follow suit.
01- Design Phase
First it started off on a Post-It note (sorry, sometimes meetings are too long and I get bored easily), and I forwarded the idea over to Gergely. This was what I literally sent to him.
After some minor tweaks and some advice, the final design is then concluded.
02 - Test craft
Next phase was a test razor crafted from Suminagashi plates, with our proposed Katakana engraving on the handle. The razor will proudly bear the "Horváth" surname in Katakana.
03 - Cutting & Shape Grind
It's amazing how the project will start off as a flat plate like this, cut and grinded into the desired shape.
04- Rough Grind
Next, it slowly transforms to a familiar looking piece of art. The rough grind process.
05 - Narrowing the handle
Purpose of this step, is to bring out the Suminagashi pattern on the handle, to give it that wavey ink pattern.
06 - Quick Etch
Now, the familiar patterns of the Suminagashi is slowly forming after a quick etch.
07 - Stamp & Engraving
As with every masterpiece, it needs to have a maker's mark. Or two in this case.
08 - Heat Treatment
This is where heat is applied to the razor to provide it with the hardness it requires.
09 - Quenching
After it has been heat treated, quenching in oil (I assume), would be next.
10 - Tempering
Tempered to achieve greater hardness.
11 - Hollow Grind
Just look at the beautiful slim profile.
12 - Fine Grinding
It does look very shiny without the Suminagashi pattern.
13 - Final Etching
This is where the magic happens, the Suminagashi pattern is then revealed. I have read on many online posts that this is the only and also the final stage, where you get to see if you've done everything else correctly to achieve that wavey pattern. Do correct me if I am wrong.
14 - Final Product
When I first looked at the final product, it totally exceeds what I have in my mind when I started off sketching on a Post it note.
Specs:
13/16" Multi-Layered Takefu Suminagashi steel hardened to HRC 61 Full Hollow Grind
Conclusion thoughts, working with Gergely has been an amazing journey for myself. He's gone through the effort of snapping every process along the way for me, just so I can see what work is involved in crafting this masterpiece. I've gain a whole new level of appreciation towards straight razors. It's an amazing that he keeps me in the loop with everything that is happening. Should you have a need (or want) to go custom, please check his site out.
Many moons later, as I get to know @Draco Noir a little more, the curiosity got the better of me. Being a big fan of metal artpieces, I have decided to procure a Kamisori for myself. And @Draco Noir introduced me to HG Razors, operated by @gregg. This is a little tale of the journey between myself and the razor maker. This will be a pre-review for now, until the razor arrives at my doorstep for me to try it out, then a review will follow suit.
01- Design Phase
First it started off on a Post-It note (sorry, sometimes meetings are too long and I get bored easily), and I forwarded the idea over to Gergely. This was what I literally sent to him.
After some minor tweaks and some advice, the final design is then concluded.
02 - Test craft
Next phase was a test razor crafted from Suminagashi plates, with our proposed Katakana engraving on the handle. The razor will proudly bear the "Horváth" surname in Katakana.
03 - Cutting & Shape Grind
It's amazing how the project will start off as a flat plate like this, cut and grinded into the desired shape.
04- Rough Grind
Next, it slowly transforms to a familiar looking piece of art. The rough grind process.
05 - Narrowing the handle
Purpose of this step, is to bring out the Suminagashi pattern on the handle, to give it that wavey ink pattern.
06 - Quick Etch
Now, the familiar patterns of the Suminagashi is slowly forming after a quick etch.
07 - Stamp & Engraving
As with every masterpiece, it needs to have a maker's mark. Or two in this case.
08 - Heat Treatment
This is where heat is applied to the razor to provide it with the hardness it requires.
09 - Quenching
After it has been heat treated, quenching in oil (I assume), would be next.
10 - Tempering
Tempered to achieve greater hardness.
11 - Hollow Grind
Just look at the beautiful slim profile.
12 - Fine Grinding
It does look very shiny without the Suminagashi pattern.
13 - Final Etching
This is where the magic happens, the Suminagashi pattern is then revealed. I have read on many online posts that this is the only and also the final stage, where you get to see if you've done everything else correctly to achieve that wavey pattern. Do correct me if I am wrong.
14 - Final Product
When I first looked at the final product, it totally exceeds what I have in my mind when I started off sketching on a Post it note.
Specs:
13/16" Multi-Layered Takefu Suminagashi steel hardened to HRC 61 Full Hollow Grind
Conclusion thoughts, working with Gergely has been an amazing journey for myself. He's gone through the effort of snapping every process along the way for me, just so I can see what work is involved in crafting this masterpiece. I've gain a whole new level of appreciation towards straight razors. It's an amazing that he keeps me in the loop with everything that is happening. Should you have a need (or want) to go custom, please check his site out.
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