Old Razor

[Debrushman]

Hi,
I picked up this straight razor the other day. I am thinking of restoring it. What would the experts here say? Do I have the chance of making a decent shaved out of it?

 

[onimaru55]

The answer to that is, it really depends on the steel & your skill. The toe is heavily worn & removing that pitted edge will wear the whole razor even more.
I'd just call it practice & if you get a shaver at the end. It's a bonus.

 

[Legion]

+1

When I play with razors like that I always set out expecting to fail, but doing it anyway for experience.

Having said that, I have gotten some good shavers out of razors other wrote off, so it is always worth a try.

 

[Joe Edson]

If it is a wedge there is a lot of steel so the pitting near/at the edge may not be a huge issue.

Also, that may not be toe heavy hone wear as for a couple years at the end of the 1830's there were razors produced in a style of wider heel than toe.

This is my I Pearce that measures 13/16 at the heel and tapers to 9/16 at the toe. There definitely wasn't any hone wear to cause this and Lummus' article on old sheffield razors mentions these (and shows a picture of one as an example).

Would need clearer pictures of the toe area to see if it is heavy hone wear or not.

 

[onimaru55]

Thanx for the heads up on the unusual design Joe.
Is yours part of a set ?

 

[Joe Edson]

Thanx for the heads up on the unusual design Joe.
Is yours part of a set ?

No - it actually is a razor once owned by Lummus himself. I picked it up from Robert Doyle's auction awhile back and only knew about the design from reading the Lummus article before bidding. They were only produced for 2-3 years like this I believe at the very end of the 1830s.

Edit: Actually maybe it is part of a set. Just noticed the number "2" on the front scale. Definitely wasn't another one on Doyles auction, but you can be sure if I see a number "1" like this on eBay I'll be bidding crazy high. I have a thing for paired sets.

 

[onimaru55]

Edit: Actually maybe it is part of a set. Just noticed the number "2" on the front scale. Definitely wasn't another one on Doyles auction, but you can be sure if I see a number "1" like this on eBay I'll be bidding crazy high. I have a thing for paired sets.

3 -7 could see you looking for an extra job

 

[Legion]

In the words of Colonel Klink, "Very Interesting..."

 

[johnmrson]

It looks like the shape of the blade to me. I haven't seen many of them and I think they're pretty rare. I'd be looking to do a sympathetic refurbishment on it and then using it.

 

[MissJames]

Seems like it would be really fun to try to fix up. Its a nice one.

 

[Bayamontate]

also, that may not be toe heavy hone wear as for a couple years at the end of the 1830's there were razors produced in a style of wider heel than toe.

There definitely wasn't any hone wear to cause this and lummus' article on old sheffield razors mentions these (and shows a picture of one as an example).

+1

 

[Bayamontate]

P.S. See Page 266 (Lummus.)

 

[Debrushman]

Hi,
Thanks for the help. I am going to give it a shot. Iam going to try and keep it all original, including the horn scales. I am going to take my time with it. I will be posting pictures when completed.
I think it will be hand sanded, I guess the angle grinder will have to wait for something else
Iam looking forward to shaving with this one.
Thanks again for the help.

 

[onimaru55]

Good luck & good on you for keeping the scales. Too many don't realise the beauty of restored horn.

 

[JohnnyDemonic]

Seeing one covered in grim then seeing one that is cleaned up would make me believe that's how they were designed. Interesting looking thats for sure, I wouldn't turn my nose up to it.

 

[joshua82]

Very interesting razor. I have always wondered how a wedge could be honed so unevenly. Now when I see one like that I'll look closer for hone wear.