How to Make a Wooden Handle for a Straight Razor

So I found a beautiful German razor at a flea market, but the handle was a junk piece of plastic. So naturally I chucked it and made one myself. It is really simple and can be done in an hour or two. So if you happen to have a razor blade lying around or are unhappy with the one you have or are bored and have nothing better to do, keep reading.

NOTICE

As you will be working with power tools and a very sharp blade, please be careful as you work. I take no responsibility for any accidents or mishaps. Also, it is very easy to break or chip a razor blade, it you have it with you will working make sure you and it are out of harms way.

Step 1: Tools and Materials

Tools:

Band/scroll saw
Beltsander
Hammer
Drill

Material:

Wood for Handle
Linseed Oil
Thin Metal Rod (Bike Spoke, Nail, Rivet)

Step 2: Design/ Shape

First things first, pick out your wood. I decided to use ebony because it's beautiful and I love it. Also, the design I will do will be a single piece with a cut out, not two sides as is the usual.

Next, trace out or draw out the desired shape of your handle, then cut it out and sand it so that there are almost no saw marks left.

Step 3: Making the Grove

In order to make the grove for the blade to go in draw a line down the center of the handle a little bit longer than the blade so that it will be able to rotate comfortably.

Next using the sander or piece of sandpaper in the vice, sand down the inside of the grove. Then see if the blade will fit snugly in the grove. If it does not keep sanding away at the areas that ore too narrow. Keep in mind that the blades are not uniform and the grove does not have to be either . As it is usually more stocky towards the pivot the grove should be wider towards the top then narrow as it goes down. Also make sure that the blade will not appear out the other side as that would defeat the purpose and you could get badly hurt.

Also, I left it just slightly narrower than the blade at the pivot so that it will lightly squeeze the blade and therefore it will not swing completely freely but be a little stiff and be easier to hold in place when shaving.

Step 4: Shaping

This is always my favorite step. Taking something that is rough and bland and giving it character.

In this step you use a sander (or file or draw-knife, to each his own) to shape the handle. Make sure not to crack the piece in this step as you may squeeze to hard when holding it and crack the handle.

Step 5: Making the Pivot

Once you have everything how you want it mark a point where the pivot is the be. Then stick a small piece of wood in the handle so it wont bend as you drill. Then drill a hole the same size as your rod.

Then mushroom one end of the rod with a hammer if you don't have a rivet, like me. Then measure how long it needs to be and stick it through both the handle and blade and mushroom the other end until secure.

Step 6: Finishing

I chose to finish it after I put the pivot in since I was just using linseed oil, but It would be fine to finish it before you have it assembled. To finish it after you have sanded it sufficiently, simply apply linseed oil with a dry rag or your hand. And Voila.

If you have any questions, comments, or just want to say how shabby I did, please let me know, I'll be happy to oblige (minus the last one).

If you liked this Instructable or just thought it adequate please vote for it, it would mean the world to me.

As always, thank you for reading, and God Bless!