Replies

1. 
   WillGeorge | Jun 06, 2009 09:34pm | #1

   I have no idea but I would think 'true mahogany', white Oak, East-Indian rosewood and Purpleheart would work. I think ALDER is used in the old building foundations in Venice.. Not sure but think I read that someplace.

   Not that I know how long it will last but I have used Ash and old growth Fir in a boat that lasted to this day.. OK, so the last time I saw it.. It still was in the water and that was MANY years in the water.

   And then I was trying to recall if I ever saw a razor with a wooden handle. I do not think so.

   And maybe Yew? A pretty wood to turn but I recall that all parts of the plant are poisonous and then again I have seen birds eat part of the little red berries on them. I have watched and it seems the birds only eat part of the berry and leave a huge mess from the leftovers.

   Many woods are not 'waterproof' but survive quite well if they are not in constant moisture. Some get along with water very well.

   I could be very wrong, usually I am, but I would think almost any wood could be used as long as the user knows how to care for it. As in do not let it sit in the water for a few months Etc.. Sort of joking, but I would think most of the problem with a wooden handle for a razor would be with the wood cracking/splitting??

    

   
   

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   Edited 6/6/2009 2:35 pm by WillGeorge

1. 
   Jimma | Jun 06, 2009 09:40pm | #2

   Teak.

1. 
   WillGeorge | Jun 06, 2009 11:21pm | #3

   Teak! Yes my local hardwood supplier has Teak..

   http://www.owlhardwood.com/

   I went in there with a Broad Ax to 'slivver off some Teak' I could hide as I walked out without paying.. The lovely woman at the corner to my right.. winked at me.. I stopped for a moment...  and I was caught by the runners that caught up with me with my goodies I slivered off of that old Teak..

   My edit ... I just love Owl

   The folks in Des Plaines Illinois are the BEST...

   I ask can I get this 'stick' of boards or the venered ply I bought cut in half or whatever way. The folks even ask twice for what I want I want.. Cutting is free!

   OK so I never asked for 100 sticks cut at 50 inches long at 22 MM.. thick.

   Just saying Owl are better than just nice folks

   Edited 6/6/2009 4:41 pm by WillGeorge

1. 
   Jimma | Jun 06, 2009 11:31pm | #4

   Throwing around a broad ax seems like an Illinois tradition. Didn't A. Lincoln have it, also?

2. 
   saschafer | Jun 07, 2009 04:27am | #5

   Woods like teak and cocobolo contain natural resins that, when polished, can serve as a "built-in" finish. However, those same compounds can cause severe allergic reactions in some people, and my concern is that the addition of water might exacerbate that problem. And even those woods will eventually show the effects of constant wet/dry cycles, and become somewhat rough to the touch.

   Blue Spruce Toolworks sells some tools with handles (and, in the case of their mallets, the business end) made of wood that has been infused with acrylic. The stuff looks just like ordinary wood, and is supposedly pretty indestructible. Here's the web site of one company that supplies the material: http://www.woodsure.com/.

   -Steve

    

1. 
   SawdustSteve | Jun 07, 2009 06:10pm | #9

   This looks like a good way to use some of those pen blanks I purchased but never used for one reason or another. I'll second the motion for Ebony. I guess almost any wood with really tight grain would work.
   SawdustSteve Long Island, NY

1. 
   duotone | Jun 07, 2009 08:53pm | #11

   http://www.axminster.co.uk/category-Pen-Turning-Blanks-208238.htm Not too expensive if you fancied something different from wood.I am in the UK by the way.

3. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Jun 07, 2009 05:35am | #6

   duo,

   Many old time straight razors had Ebony handles as well as bone and synthetic materials.  I've seen all manner of wood used to make handles for double edged razors like the ones in your picture.  Most of the wooden ones had a heavy film, I'm guessing lacquer or poly, on them.

   To clean them I used to run them under very hot tap water and when the blade got dull a complete cleaning with rubbing alcohol, after removing the blade of course.  Just wipe them down after cleaning or use a hair dryer.

   Every once in a while I'll shave with one of my old straight razors.  It's the hot towels not so much as the great shave.

   Regards,

   Bob @ Kidderville Acres

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

4. 
   barrydaniel | Jun 07, 2009 06:17am | #7

   I've been wanting to build one myself. Have you found a source for the hardware. Teak would be a good choice for the wood. Thanks.

   Barry

1. 
   duotone | Jun 07, 2009 03:29pm | #8

   No i havent found anywhere for fixtures and fittings, I am still looking though!http://eliterazor.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=7&Itemid=66 has some good ideas.

   Edited 6/7/2009 8:33 am ET by duotone

1. 
   WillGeorge | Jun 07, 2009 07:17pm | #10

   Just a thought.

   None of my old metal working tools left here. I can turn Brass on my little wood lathe! If I am careful!