Thread: Joseph Elliot Straight Razor

Hey Cats,
Newbee here with a question. Found this at a thrift store for $10 and just had to buy it. It's a beautiful Joseph Elliot straight razor in very nice condition with box, the handle looks to be made of either bone or ivory with Elliot's crest embedded. the blade is stamped "Joseph Elliot Best Silver Steel" with his makers mark a reverse c, an iron cross and then a proper facing c .
I bought this for a pal of mine who collects these and would like to know something about when I present it to him. Info like, age, rarity, handle material, blade material, importance of maker etc.

If you fine folks can help me here I would very much appreciate it. Thank you for redaing my note.

Peace,
Preston

Well, it's a common sheffield based maker, & a quality one. Silver steel is a carbon steel, often containing chromium to improve wear resistance. The scales are an unusual shape & look to be most probably ivory, though possibly bone.
Although the blade has a slight hollow, it is called a wedge & the shape of the tip is a barbers notch. There are a few ideas of what this was for, but i go with it simply making it easier for the barber to open with one hand. The notch allows the blade to be hooked on a waiscoat pocket & drawn out from the scales.
You got it for a fantastic price & he's very lucky!

Here is a story of mine: http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...-underdog.html

Yes they are excellent shavers and if your friend likes Sheffield wedges; he will be very happy with it. Mine is giving me very close shaves.

Preston, nice find, the scales are very attractive. I would be pleased to receive this as a gift. If I may be so bold as to make a suggestion. If it were me and I wanted the gift to shine, I would get some Maas, metal cleaner. I use it on all of my antique shop razors. It is simple to use, just wipe the maas on the blade to cover, let sit for a while and rub off with a towel before the mass dries. This process will take many repetitions, but will make the blade look very nice. A small investment in time for you and your friends face will have a big SMILE when you present your gift.

That's a fantastic gift for anyone who uses a straight.

It may be a gift for someone who waste's good steel by locking it away & staring at the scales through a glass door! Hope not, but either way, it is a fantastic gift.