D Miller & Sons Eldon Works Sheffield Straight

[All The Same]

So after weeks of mooching round shops and antique places i found my first piece of shaving gear in the wild. I grabbed myself a D Miller and Sons Eldon Works Straight, it had a stamp of what im guessing is a Broom with the word broom across it. The razor cost me a few pound so if its not to be saved its not too bad. A few questions, does anyone know anything about D Miller and Sons, how old this might be, from the pictures could it be saved and used? I literally know nothing about straight razors apart from what i have read on here but if it could be saved i would love to have a go and learn some new skills along the way.



PS - I'm sorry about the pictures, i snapped them quickly while my child was demolishing her tea, if you need any more or anything specific let me know.

Thanks, Adam

 

[rmalak]

To be honest I'm not sure how old it could be. It is definitely in good enough shape to be honed and used for many years to come. I think you did very well for your first "in the wild" score!!

 

[global_dev]

looks good, get that bad boy honed up pronto! looks to be a near wedge so plenty of metal. it's probably from the mid 1800s based on my cursory view of the tang styles.

there are plenty of threads scattered with info, but here are teh first two i found courtesy of http://www.theinvisibleedge.co.uk

http://www.theinvisibleedge.co.uk/history1.html
http://www.theinvisibleedge.co.uk/history2.html
http://www.theinvisibleedge.co.uk/history3.html

you could probably google the manufacturer brand name, but it really won't matter much. it looks good to go! Eldon seems to be an old english street with other steel work stuff (IIRC) from a search on Uniclectica

 

[All The Same]

Eldon seems to be an old english street with other steel work stuff (IIRC) from a search on Uniclectica

Yeah if i remember correctly, there's an Eldon Street in Sheffield, it's not too far out of the centre, which would make sense seeing as it says Eldon Works and Sheffield on it.

Since i put the child in bed i have had a little google and found this:

David Miller didn't always make razors... in 1829-33 he was an ironmonger and table knife maker with premises in Orchard Street; then he moved to Fargate and operated a warehouse. In 1852 he set up as D. Miller & Son (Joseph) at the Eldon Works in Eldon Street.

The makers mark was a broom, but this was acquired by T. H. Blake after D. Miller & Son ceased operating, then by Castle & Turton.

David died in 1870 and Joseph in 1880. The firm seems to have continued - in 1883 it was situated at the Premier Works in Wentworth Street. Although it is said to have finished operations in 1893 another company of the same name is recorded as being in operation in Carver Street from 1911 until sometime in the 1920's.



I have zero idea on how to hone it, like i said my knowledge is limited to know its a Straight Razor really.

 

[global_dev]

The invisible edge has a honing service. The wiki here also has list of people who can help for a small fee. There are definitely some guys on your side of the pond who can make it happen.

http://www.razorsharpening.co.uk/m.index0.html

 

[Linus Lindblom]

I got my hands on this beauty.
20 euro.
I was going to use it to practise hone but it looks to good.