Thread: Expert eyes needed on vintage SR...

Is there a big crack in the middle of the blade? if not then that razor should be a good one to restore by propper cleaning from the active rust and set a new shaving edge to it.

Originally Posted by MrMagnus

Is there a big crack in the middle of the blade? if not then that razor should be a good one to restore by propper cleaning from the active rust and set a new shaving edge to it.

Good eye. I missed it. if it is a crack I would pass it by.

Originally Posted by MrMagnus

Is there a big crack in the middle of the blade? if not then that razor should be a good one to restore by propper cleaning from the active rust and set a new shaving edge to it.

After zooming in on the pic from my phone I do not believe it is a crack, but just some marring on the blade. I will, however, take a closer look at it before I decide on the purchase. Maybe I'll use the antique magnifying glass that's next to it ;-). Thank you for pointing that out.

The inscription on the box is LORIMER & SON SOUTH ST. ANDREW ST. ENDINBURGH

Looks like a Sheffield made for an Edinburgh retailer. Look at the other side of the suspected crack. If not there, it may be a scratch. (hopefully!)

Originally Posted by MrMagnus

Is there a big crack in the middle of the blade? if not then that razor should be a good one to restore by propper cleaning from the active rust and set a new shaving edge to it.

agree , looks like a crack to me too.

I think the OP may be should request better pics from the seller.

Thank you all for the input! The member who's selling the razor here looks like he has the better buy, especially with so many concerns about a possible crack in the blade. I'll still take another look to be sure, but unless I can get a better deal on it I'll probably pass. There's not much of a SR market in my area, so who knows, it might still be there in a year if I change my mind. Thanks again. I now have a little more insight for the next old blade I come across.

buying razors is a minefield of problems you have to watch out for.

If you can hold and appraise the blade then your halfway there. Buying online from ebay and the like is another story, you have to be looking and criticizing the smallest of details. Razors are prone to damage that renders them useless and it's not always obvious damage!

The seller on here is offering 100% money back for that razor, He's also selling on here. And reputation is everything on this forum.


You will need some other equipment before you can shave.

A strop, a brush, and soap.

For your strop go have a look at whipped dog's poor mans strop kits. It's a well regarded product that will work.

Whipped Dog Straight Razor Shaving Equipment

You can get a cheap boar bristle brush. They have a break in period of a few shaves. They work, with no frills.

http://www.amazon.com/Semogue-1305-S...+shaving+brush

And you should get some good shaving soap. There are a lot of well regarded brands. If you do not have a store that stocks real shaving soaps then go online and grab a tub of one of the more regarded brands. Bodyshop maca root is a good starting soap. It lathers well, and is not overpowering in perfume. It's also good on all skin types and has a very nice glide to it.

For Men Maca Root Shave Cream | The Body Shop ®

I appreciate the advice. This would actually be a second razor for me, but thank you for taking the time to offer that info. I agree with your point on SRP probably being a safer venue to buy a used blade due to any member wanting to maintain a good standing here. I'll probably hold of on searching for my own razors until I'm ready to take on those projects myself, such as a time when I decide I can take on learning to hone on my own. Hell, I'm still trying to strop and not kill me edge so I'm going to be leaving that to the pros for a while.

Looks like a decent razor.

You will never know who the maker was, as 'C&C' on the blade is the mark of Colquhoun & Cadman, merchants, factors and re-salers.

"C & C" and "Go-Ahead" were trademarks of Colquhoun & Cadman, based at the Douglas Works in Arundel Street, Sheffield, as listed in a 1901 Trades Directory. The firm dates back to 1892. The two founders were Edward Dewing Colquhoun and Edwin Cadman. Colquhoun was a former salesman of Marsden Bros & Co (they appear in the 1857 sheffield Directory), famed as tool and skate makers - Colquhoun & Cadman also had a display of skates at their premises. The firm was Incorporated in 1907. They eventually became a subsidiary of Joseph Elliot & Sons. By 1929 they had moved to Sylvester Gardens in Sheffield.

They produced cutlery, edged tools, and so on - even a natural hone-stone called the "Douglas". Called by some a 'brass-plate' firm, it is believed that they sourced articles made by others to sell under their own brand.

The thing is, they only chose the best, so it was a pretty decent razor even at the time.

The circular 'special steel' mark on the blade signifies that it is made from Robert Mushet's original RMS steel - a steel alloy to which a small amount of tungsten had been added. This had the virtue that no hardening or quenching step was needed - it self-hardened in air, a fantastic advance at the time. RMS stood for Robert Mushets Special steel, abbreviated here to just special steel, the licence to make it and sole rights to it were bought by Samuel Osborne (who made fine razors among other things - his use and marketing of RMS saw it as railway steel all over the world).

Mushet made the steel - in conditions of the greatest secrecy - at the Titanic Works from 1868, but in 1871 financial difficulties saw them close down and the steel process was sold to Osborne.

So - quite a bit of history and a conversation piece if ever there was one!

As Sharptonn (Tom) says, the other names are just dealers names who bought the razor in bulk to sell in their own shops/businesses, at a discount, and with their own name stamped onto the tang.

Regards,
Neil

Neil,

Thank you so much for taking the time to research and share that history on this razor! I never would have expected such an in-depth background on the razor when I first posted, especially on the manufacturing processes you described. I suppose it was common for employers to give SRs as gifts to their workers? I've seen that mentioned in other forums as well. Wish my boss would spring for a nice razor for his boys...

Much appreciated,

Mike