Family heirloom score

[Shave_Rat]

Here is the first of 2 family owned straight razors I recovered from my family homestead, and most likely the oldest family heirloom razor I have out of the 7 I have (yes, 7... 5 DE's, and 2 straights).

Wade and Butcher wedge:



The blade has some surface rust, but nothing that seems would make it beyond restoration back to a shave ready blade. Tiny minor chip in the heel area, and the scales are totally shot, which we all know is no real issue at all.

Anyone have any ideas on how to date this guy? I'm just wondering if it was my great grandfathers, or, as I suspect it maybe, my great great grandfathers.

 

[wherndon]

can't help with the dates, but family stuff is just great.
Nice score!

 

[jrward2]

I believe i'm correct in saying that if it doesn't say 'England' on the stamp on the tang then it is pre 1890. Other than that you have to look at different shapes of the blade and tail.

But that's awesome. I have a few heirloom DE's that I cherish from my great grandfather who I never met. My dad tells me that he remembers him having a few straights, hones, and strops because my dad used to display them in his room when he was a teenager. My grandmother can't really remember and she is a border line hoarder, but I feel confident that there are a few straights hiding in the attic.

Yours should clean up nicely. Gotta love a W&B wedge.

 

[Doc226]

Nice meat cleaver, that will be real nice once cleaned up.

 

[Shave_Rat]

Nice meat cleaver, that will be real nice once cleaned up.

I hadn't held a full wedge before that one, and yeah, that is one hefty chunk of steel, no doubt about it.

 

[Boro62]

congrats!! can't wait to see it cleaned up!