San Mai may be difficult for a straight razor. Getting the O1 on the cutting edge while keeping a nice jacket will take some careful forging on a thin blade.

Personally, I think there are better ways to go for a razor application. You didn't mention what the other portion(s) of the intended San-Mai would be...that would impact my choice/recommendation.

Not impossible...

O1 San mai Straight razor

Oh it's certainly possible....but just because you CAN do something, doesn't necessarily mean you should. O1 is one of those steels that rusts if you look at is sideways....so unless the intent is for it to be a collector piece, and never actually used, or be protected via some type of coating, there are better choices. IF a piece like that were intended for use, I would recommend something like a finish with clear Gun-Kote.

I really hate YouTube.... while there are a small percentage of "good" things there, for the most part, it's just like Forged in Fire.....short of facts, and big on drama. I spend far too much of my time having to UNLEARN students who've gone to "YouTube University".

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.. I really hate YouTube.... while there are a small percentage of "good" things there, for the most part, it's just like Forged in Fire.....short of facts, and big on drama. I spend far too much of my time having to UNLEARN students who've gone to "YouTube University".

<img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//biggrin.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':D' /> I pretty much feel the same, but have found a way to tame YouTube to be useful for me by keeping incredibly tight control of my algorithm. For example, I would only click on the link above if using Firefox in private mode, backed up with VPN. As soon as you start clicking on knifemaking stuff you are inundated with the bad things that you mention Ed. Daily, I click "not interested" on numerous items to keep my algorithm well trimmed.