Has Anyone Seen One of These?

[Mr. Scruffy]

Found this at the big Round Top Antique Fair yesterday.

It's a frameback straight with what appears to be a brass tang and Damascus steel blade. The scales appear to be horn and bear the engraving "The doubly carbonized I-XL razor is warranted to be the cleanest shaving razor to possess the most durable edge & that every razor is equally good". The wedge is either lead or pewter, the pins are brass.

Made some other big scores, too. I'll post those later.

 

[Mr. Scruffy]

Can anyone help me ID this razor?

I can't seem to find any info on this odd duck.

 

[Greybeard]

Can anyone help me ID this razor?

I can't seem to find any info on this odd duck.

I saw a similar frameback that was restored on SRP. Not Damascus steel though. It's a Wostenholm. The same diamond around IXL maker's mark.

 

[mdunn]

ive seen a couple with a similar etch on the blade (by various makers) - very nice score, mate!

 

[spanx]

WOW! what a razor.No help from this peanut gallery, just a complement.

 

[Greybeard]

http://www.straightrazorplace.com/f...geo-wostenholm-frameback-vintage-restore.html

Also the second picture in this link shows a Damascus Wosty frameback.

http://www.straightrazorplace.com/forums/razor-reviews/38720-george-wostenholm-sons-frameback.html

 

[BRuhling]

Mr. Scruffy: The SRP thread that was referenced above is here: http://straightrazorplace.com/forum...geo-wostenholm-frameback-vintage-restore.html

It was my Wostenholm that got restored. It's a wonderful shaver. ShavedZombie has the Damascus Steel version (with a different shape if I remember correctly)...

 

[johnmrson]

The IXL would suggest Wostenholm. It certainly looks unusual. Very nice find.

 

[Mr. Scruffy]

Thanks, gents.

My other scores are posted here.

I hope to make you all envious, especially you John!

 

[Joe Edson]

Oh man, a Wosty Damascus Frameback!

Very nice score (is it for sale....?)

 

[Luc]

Nice score!!

 

[Mr. Scruffy]

Would anyone recommend the use of MAAS metal polish to clean the brass and Damascus blade on this Wosty?

If no, what would you use?

 

[azmark]

Harry not only do I think that is a Wosty frame back but it may even be Woots steel. That is one old razor.

 

[honed]

Harry not only do I think that is a Wosty frame back but it may even be Woots steel. That is one old razor.

Exactly
That one should shave like there is no tomorrow.
It is probably pre-bessermer, so it is genuine woots

But I'm afraid that Woots is also highly toxic.
It was made using plutonium & arsenic, so many workers died in the process, that is why they are so rare.

Fortunately this is your lucky day as I live near one of the only existing plants that can dispose of those things.
Just wrap it up in a lead-clad, airtight envelope & send it over, so I can help you save your whole neighborhood from extinction...

 

[azmark]

Fortunately this is your lucky day as I live near one of the only existing plants that can dispose of those things.
Just wrap it up in a lead-clad, airtight envelope & send it over, so I can help you save your whole neighborhood from extinction...

Hey wait I have one too

 

[Mr. Scruffy]

Harry not only do I think that is a Wosty frame back but it may even be Woots steel. That is one old razor.

How can you tell the difference between true Damascus (wootz) and pattern welded steel?

 

[azmark]

How can you tell the difference between true Damascus (wootz) and pattern welded steel?

Quite honestly I don't really know. Visually it looks like old Wootz steel and just by looking at the possible age of that razor it is likely. I've only seen knives and swords in wootz but that look just like it.

This is a great article on the history of Wootz that may answer some questions.

 

[professorchaos]

Wootz or not, it is a beauty. The only other blade I've seen with that pattern was a Wostenholm frameback. Not that it really matters, but I wonder if the toe has had some "cosmetic" work done.

 

[Mr. Scruffy]

Wootz or not, it is a beauty. The only other blade I've seen with that pattern was a Wostenholm frameback. Not that it really matters, but I wonder if the toe has had some "cosmetic" work done.

Hard to tell. Here's a few more close ups of the toe.

 

[huracan]

I think that looks really nice and the patina makes it really stand out. I've seen a few posted over at SRP where the polishing makes the swirl pattern blend with the rest of the blade.....I see greybeard posted a couple already here is another one {here} . I say polish the frame and tang and keep the patina on the blade.

Even if there used to be a barber's notch before (going by the pictures on the linkies) I think yours looks pretty badass as it is.