I wanted to try something different, so I ordered the "Sprite" with Walnut scales. That smaller blade looked interesting
Thanks again for all the help guys I am going to save up and get a koraat custom. Keithmax thanks for your pics all three razors are beautiful but in my opinion the koraat looks the best and I'm guessing that's the cheapest of the three??. I have heard a few of you guys mention damakuss (I think that's spelt right) steel can i ask what it is and what makes it so expensive?? Thanks again Nathan Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk
Damascus is basically pattern-welded steel, pretty complex procedure. The original (ancient) recipe, used in middle-eastern swordmaking, is lost nowadays. Here's an interesting article: http://www.thetruthaboutknives.com/2013/04/ask-a-knifemaker-the-truth-about-damascus/
My very basic understanding is that it uses multiple types of steel (usually 2) and they are mixed together via folding and or twisting them. This adds allot more labor and time to the process. At the end they use acid to bring out the different layers.
Here's one of my custom Cedric Christ blades made using 500 layer hand forged San Mai Damascus, It certainly can look pretty but doesn't give you any better performance than any other well made razor.
Hi Nathan, This was a custom one off creation so I don't think the cost matters, I know Cedric takes on orders for many and he's quite easy to contact and you can have a big imput to the design and steel including scales.
Any strop recommendations to go with my new razor when I get it??? Are they all pretty similar Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk
Go for a 3" it will cover the whole blade lenght.i use a mountan mike wich i think is a very good strop.but there is many others.
I second the recommendation for a 3" wide strop, I would also add webbing or linen cotton strop. My favorites are Drygulch and Tony Miller but Tony Miller does not ship outside of the US and @Drygulch is international friendly. Keep in mind you will likely cut your first strop as you learn. Also it is easier to strop with a paddle strop. Raserpur in Germany carries a nice paddle strop with replaceable panels so it is easy to add pasted strops. I have a Dovo/Herold Russian leather strop that I was a dissapointment.
Second the comment on cutting up your first strop. I was lucky and just had several smaller nicks mysteriously appear on my strop. I was recommended by several homemeisters to get a Illinois(Chicago) 127 or 827. I chose the 827, and don't regret it.
I would like to reemphasize what these guys have said. Cutting or nicking your first strop is all but inevitable. The good news is that the nicks are fixable, but it is probably wise to not go overboard on the price of your first strop. You can get a more expensive strop after you have mastered the technique. All the rest of the strop advise above is also sound. Paddles with replaceable leather are easier than hanging strops and 3" strops are better than narrower strops for beginners. A linen strop attachement is a must. Lastly, getting some chromium oxide in either stick or spray form will help you get more shaves out of the blade before before it needs to be refreshed on stones.
I have that paddle strop from Rasurpur - and I really like it. here it is with my Koraat razor it is actually a little bit wider than the blade, so stropping is pretty easy. The panels are held in place by magnets and are easily replaceable. The one on the other side of my strop is black suede: A replacement panel costs between 15 and 25 Euro, depending on leather quality. So if you ruin one, it won't be too expensive to get a new one.
