A New Patch Knife out of old straight razor

My father in law was a barber in the 60s. My wife had some of his old straight razors. Hey, I will just make a patch knife!
Not sure if this falls exactly into the traditional line, but it has to be close.
Larry

I have seen a few straight razor patch knives through the years. Straight razors scare me because they are so sharp. But they are also delicate and susceptible to chipping. I ruined my Grandfather's razor messing around with it. Wish I could go back in time and correct that mistake.

That's pretty cool! I love when people use stuff that laying around and make something they can use from it. Especially when it has some memories tied to it! Congrats!

Larry (Omaha) said:

My father in law was a barber in the 60s. My wife had some of his old straight razors. Hey, I will just make a patch knife!
Not sure if this falls exactly into the traditional line, but it has to be close.
Larry

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I used to see many once-fine razors at variety auctions, cheap. Never thought of making a patcher out of one! Thanks for a great idea. The steel in these things is crazy fine.

In the 1970's , it was "the thing" , to have a razor patch knife. They were everywhere in flea mkts. for a buck a pop. Pre cut patches were not too common , and folks used rolled up material , and a good sharp razor cut well. ....oldwood

Very nice work. My old barber did shaves with one and "razor cut" haircuts. Said in barber college they'd blow up a balloon, cover it with shaving cream and see how clean they got the balloon before it popped. He had a lot of stories. Some were probably true.

I like the way you handled that Larry. I use one with my .40.

Yours is much nicer, looks like I have another project on my plate.
Robby

I was a kid in the 60s and attending muzzleloader shoots with a family friend and all I saw for patch knives were just like that, old straight razors with a fixed handle. I have one ready to put a handle on along with a deer tine to use. Round tuits are the only thing lacking.

You guys are missing the most comfortable, honest, and relaxing shave you can enjoy... from actually shaving with the straight razors.

Robby said:

I like the way you handled that Larry. I use one with my .40.

Yours is much nicer, looks like I have another project on my plate.
Robby

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Thanks for the comp! I made another, but gave it to my SIL. I just used a chunk of deer antler for the handle. That would shorten your extra project time if you are busy.
Larry

Nice idea, excellent conversion - congrats ! !

freedom475 said:

You guys are missing the most comfortable, honest, and relaxing shave you can enjoy... from actually shaving with the straight razors.

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Straight razors were never designed for you to shave yourself. They are designed for a barber to shave you. Not until 1903 did Gillette start making personal safety razors. I sell them.

rafterob said:

I have seen a few straight razor patch knives through the years. Straight razors scare me because they are so sharp. But they are also delicate and susceptible to chipping. I ruined my Grandfather's razor messing around with it. Wish I could go back in time and correct that mistake.

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I agree, if it falls / drops, then the instinct is to catch it! LET IT GO.! IT / THEY GIVE ME THA SAME FEELING AS SCRAPING MY FINGER NAILS ACROSS A SCHOOL SLATE BLACK BOARD!!

Johnny Tremain said:

Straight razors were never designed for you to shave yourself. They are designed for a barber to shave you. Not until 1903 did Gillette start making personal safety razors. I sell them.

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I beg to differ as I saw my grandpa shave with one a number of times even though he also had a Gillette safety razor. He also had a leather strop that was used to strop the blade and also as an”educational” instrument for uncooperative youngsters.

Larry (Omaha) said:

My father in law was a barber in the 60s. My wife had some of his old straight razors. Hey, I will just make a patch knife!
Not sure if this falls exactly into the traditional line, but it has to be close.
Larry

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Be careful with that thing.

I made a patch knife out of a straight razor quite some time ago, but didn’t care for the handle or sheath I came up with and moved it along. Always felt it was going to work it’s way out of the sheath and cause mischief. It could sure cut patch material. I have got maybe a half dozen of the things somewhere in a knife drawer. Might be time to try again. Not sure if I want to start with a regular length one or a stubby one.

Dixie sold straight razors for many years for use as a patch knife. I haven't got a new Dixie catalog to see if they still do.

SDSmlf said:

I made a patch knife out of a straight razor quite some time ago, but didn’t care for the handle or sheath I came up with and moved it along. Always felt it was going to work it’s way out of the sheath and cause mischief. It could sure cut patch material. I have got maybe a half dozen of the things somewhere in a knife drawer. Might be time to try again. Not sure if I want to start with a regular length one or a stubby one.

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Go for it! Stubby gets my vote!
Larry

I remember when I was growing up watching my grandfather shave with a straight razor. He had a leather strop hanging on the back of the bathroom door and was a master at whisking that razor back and forth across the strop to sharpen it. And I mean he was "lightening fast." He also had a "safety razor" but hardly ever used it. When he did, he'd change out the old blades and slip them into a slot in the medicine cabinet. They'd fall down between the studs. When we remodeled his bathroom, I remember those old blades falling out by the dozens. And you should have seen him sharpen a carving knife on Thanksgiving and Christmas. His hands were almost a blur as he used a steel to sharpen the knife.

Kansas Jake said:

I beg to differ as I saw my grandpa shave with one a number of times even though he also had a Gillette safety razor.

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Did not say they were not used by shavers, it was not the norm. There are still barbers and regular folks that use them.
Its not the way they were intended to be used.