Vintage straight ?s and possible hone job. (JR&S)

[Mo-beffah]

I have just received this Joseph Rodgers & Sons straight razor. Has England stamped as well as "their majesties" so I believe it is from 1890-1901. Everything looks to be in very good condition. I got it off ebay for $26. This is my first straight as I am waiting for my shave ready whipped dog to arrive in the mail. I researched and love the history of JR&S but also want to shave with a quality vintage as that's what I bought it for. Can anybody tell me more about this razor. Specifically if the scales are original, and if the blade looks like its ever been honed(don't see any wear and the polish finish of the blade goes all the way to the blade edge). If its all original and in fantastic shape I would think twice about sending it to get honed and using it as I am a newb and don't want to mess it up stropping or dropping. Any help appreciated.

 

[daflorc]

Joseph Rodgers was one of five "cutlers to his/her/their majesties, meaning they held a royal warrant for making good cutlery. England indicates it was made after 1892. I don't know when they closed their doors but the razor looks to me to be from about 1900 or so. It looks to have some minor tarnish and pitting but purely cosmetic issues. It should hone up and shave just fine.

 

[jkh]

Nice razor. It would be a crime to not have that puppy hone up and then put to use. Razors are for shaving with!

 

[Mo-beffah]

I also thought it looked too nice to be from 1901. But according to the chart that talks about his/her/their majesties JR&S switched from "their" to "his" in 1901. I forgot to ask in the op but is their some reputable members here that I could PM to maybe send this out to get honed?

 

[Wid]

Looks like someone buffed it, looks a bit to shiny to me. It still should make for a great shaver.

 

[Mo-beffah]

Roger that. Really want to shave with it. Just wanted to make sure it wasn't anything really special where it would be a crime to sand down and scuff up on a hone. So far it looks like it will be my second shave ready eventually.

 

[buca3152]

Roger that. Really want to shave with it. Just wanted to make sure it wasn't anything really special where it would be a crime to sand down and scuff up on a hone. So far it looks like it will be my second shave ready eventually.

Nice looking blade, barbers notches always add a nice vintage look. Good luck with it.

 

[daflorc]

IMO, it has not been buffed - it had an original mirror finish that has deteriorated over time with neglect and weather conditions (humidity, cold, etc. - it could have sat in a drawer in a garage for 100 years). All the following pictured razors are in original condition - never seen a buffer. They all had original mirror finishes that, over time, accumulated some minor pitting and tarnish in areas. The Mappin and Thomas Turner were NOS when I got them, and both are older than 1892.

 

[Greybeard]

I think it's been sanded. You can see some horizontal scratches from the sandpaper and lighter spots that aren't as smooth where the surface corrosion has been removed.
I see a little hone wear and a trace of a bevel. The scales may or may not be original. The pins look newish.
It doesn't matter, though. You got a very good deal and it's in good shape but it's not a rare razor. It will be an excellent shaver and that's what you should do with it.

 

[jkh]

I don't know how reputable I am , but I'd hone that for you gratis (you just pay shipping to and fro). Shoot me a PM if you're interested.

 

[Mo-beffah]

I think it's been sanded. You can see some horizontal scratches from the sandpaper and lighter spots that aren't as smooth where the surface corrosion has been removed.
I see a little hone wear and a trace of a bevel. The scales may or may not be original. The pins look newish.
It doesn't matter, though. You got a very good deal and it's in good shape but it's not a rare razor. It will be an excellent shaver and that's what you should do with it.

That's just what I needed to know. Thanks everybody for taking a look and the help.

 

[Mo-beffah]

I don't know how reputable I am , but I'd hone that for you gratis (you just pay shipping to and fro).

I'd be very interested in that. Thank you for the offer. Will PM you soon.

 

[mycarver]

I think it's been sanded. You can see some horizontal scratches from the sandpaper and lighter spots that aren't as smooth where the surface corrosion has been removed.
I see a little hone wear and a trace of a bevel. The scales may or may not be original. The pins look newish.
It doesn't matter, though. You got a very good deal and it's in good shape but it's not a rare razor. It will be an excellent shaver and that's what you should do with it.

+1. It's not NOS. It may have sat in a drawer,, but it wouldn't look like that as it has been sanded and had quite a bit of buffing which is easy to spot. But as Greybeard says won't stop you from shaving with it.

 

[wagstaff]

Hey MoBeffah.... it's 'Ali' from the MMA forum.... told you these fine gentlemen would hook you up!

 

[mycarver]

IMO, it has not been buffed - it had an original mirror finish that has deteriorated over time with neglect and weather conditions (humidity, cold, etc. - it could have sat in a drawer in a garage for 100 years). All the following pictured razors are in original condition - never seen a buffer. They all had original mirror finishes that, over time, accumulated some minor pitting and tarnish in areas. The Mappin and Thomas Turner were NOS when I got them, and both are older than 1892.
View attachment 316541View attachment 316542

That Marshes & Shepherd has been sanded and polished since you sent the original photos to me asking about restoration work. I don't consider that NOS in the true definition if it's been worked on to make it shiny. The horizontal sanding marks are a dead give away that aren't in the original photos as well as the shine you put on it.

 

[Mo-beffah]

Hey MoBeffah.... it's 'Ali' from the MMA forum.... told you these fine gentlemen would hook you up!

What's up! Tried searching Ali but to no avail. Maybe I need a different name for that other forum as well haha. This one doesn't seem to jeopardize your entire well being with a slipped up public post lol. Think I got just what I needed to know on this thread. Sent a pm to JKH and hopefully he can work with me. Little fuzziness still about if its been sanded and polished or just well kept. Either way I realize now its not a diamond in the rough, it's a razor and should be treated as such. Fine gents indeed. Also SCORED a 1904 on here for $10 a couple days ago along with a silvertip and pure brushes. Gonna give my buddy with his new tech the pure badger. So yeah, thanks for the AD's as they call it. It's begun.

 

[Greybeard]

Just to help you for the future. Good detailed photos by the way.
Horizontal scratches from sandpaper. If they were grind marks or scratch marks from honing they would be vertical.



Circled spots are where there was corrosion/rust that was removed. They're too deep not to have been surface rust at one time. The hazy line at the edge of the blade indicates that it had a bevel at one time.


Also rust that has been removed. If it was spotting from lying around, it would be smoother and darker, trending to black spotting.

 

[mycarver]

+1 as well as the rounded lines on the hollow grind. Those lines are usually crisp.

 

[Mo-beffah]

Awesome help Greybeard. Much appreciated. Helps me get an understanding of what you guys were seeing.

 

[Wid]

What you (Peter) and Mark mention was the reason I had said it had been buffed.