My name is William Ellis ~ Bill or Billy ~ and I am a custom knife maker. I have been making them since 1991 and have used the name Billy's Blades from the very beginning. I also make and collect straight razors and I have written a book on a CD format describing how to restore them. You will find the link to it right next to the Home menu button above. It is available for both Windows and Mac use with worldwide free shipping.

   If you can chew gum and walk at the same time, you might want to give razor restoration a try as it is a very satisfying hobby. You can even use the same methods found in the CD to be used for those pocket knives you have lying around that need a little sprucing up.

   This new site may appear a bit different, and probably a bit unexpected for those of you who have known me for a while. I realize I'm on the ornery side of cantankerous, but I have been known to try new things once in a while.  Down at the bottom of the Contact page, I give you the chance to tell me what you think of the new look.

  Shoot me an email if you have suggestions. Undesirable comments or bogus/ignorant claims about "balancing a razor to the tang" will be promptly escorted to the round file where they belong... but you knew that.

  Each of those main menu buttons above has information on them as well as on the sub-menu drop-down menus and slide-out tabs that appear, so click them as well.