Genuine IXL Rattler

[Rollie Juddernaut Fingers]

Hello I was wondering if you guys knew about George Wostenholm and Sons?

Did they ever make a razor called a Genuine IXL Rattler, which had that name on the blade?

I came across this description on an antique website, and want to know if its legit.

George Wostenholm & Sons Celebrated IXL Razor Washington Works, Sheffield on the obverse of the shank. black horn scales, double pinned, slight hump to tang. Slight discoloration just left of the word Rattler, but other than that, the blade is beautiful. Sharp edge, 5/8" blade. Probably produced in the 1870's.

Usually I check by searching elsewhere for mention of the obscurer brands (Duble Duck Lifetime for example), to confirm they exist. Not that I own a Dubl Duck Lifetime, please don't email me about it. As much as I would like hundreds of dollars, I can't accept it for something I don't have.

But anyone with a good knowledge of the Wostenholm company would be greatly appreciated.

 

[richmondesi]

photo from Jon's Swords

 

[RetroGrouch]

Wostenholm is a very well known and highly-regarded brand. Probably best known for their "pipe razors", but I imagine the Rattler is pretty good too!

Mike

 

[professorchaos]

Wostys are great! A classic Sheffield maker.

 

[Sparq]

They are excellent shavers. If I am not mistaken, a large portion of their production was exported to the US so they are fairly common here.

 

[treydampier]

Here are three I re-scaled. I thought all of them were great razors. The maple one is a Pipe Razor and the other two were IXL and the other was some American razor. I also re-scaled one in Eucalyptus, but its an IXL Washington Works razor. They are usually great shavers and in my opinion had pretty good steel.

 

[RetroGrouch]

They certainly had a wide range of styles. Here's my faux frameback Wosty.

Mike

 

[Rollie Juddernaut Fingers]

Thanks guys.

So that one from Jon Swords is legit. They actually used that design on the blade? Do any of you know the grind of it?