Beardsley and Alvord Empire Razor. Something Different!

I have not posted my work here for a while, so I have some restorations stored up to share. I have been interested in old American razors of late. Beardsley and Alvord's Empire razors from Winstead, Connecticut are certainly some of the oldest. This old blade was in fine condition, not much work required with just enough character. The horn scales were certainly the subject of a long-ago bug feast, so I paired the blade with a super-thin carved bone set I had been saving for some special steel. Lots of rust stains were present in the scales and many sessions of a damp Scotchbrite pad, dipped in Comet were needed, allowing the bone to dry out for a day between each session. Finally, the scales were acceptable. Some hairlines visible at the inside back scale pivot required coating the inside pivots with CA and sanding, while working the CA up and into the pivot holes to gain strength. As extra insurance for the peening to come, I CA'd some brass spacers in as well! (this bone is THIN!). The original lead wedge to the bone scales was determined too thick in the test-fit, so it was unpinned from the bottom as well and the wedge from the bug-eaten horn originals was substituted and fitted. All of the original triple-stacks from the bone scales were retained and used. Lots of polishing on the old bone, waxed at the end.
With the razor completed, I then tackled the original coffin box to the blade, cutting out pieces from an old razor box and hot-gluing in, hitting the wire wheel lightly to make the repairs look authentic. Painted the whole thing with a Sharpie Magnum and finished with a couple of coats of Birchwood Casey Tru-oil finish.
Lots of tedious work, But I am very happy with the outcome:y
Oh...It shaves like nobody's business, Like jewelry in the hand, finished on Escher!
Thanks for looking. I like comments and don't mind criticism (much)!


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Originally Posted by sharptonn

I have not posted my work here for a while, so I have some restorations stored up to share. I have been interested in old American razors of late. Beardsley and Alvord's Empire razors from Winstead, Connecticut are certainly some of the oldest. This old blade was in fine condition, not much work required with just enough character. The horn scales were certainly the subject of a long-ago bug feast, so I paired the blade with a super-thin carved bone set I had been saving for some special steel. Lots of rust stains were present in the scales and many sessions of a damp Scotchbrite pad, dipped in Comet were needed, allowing the bone to dry out for a day between each session. Finally, the scales were acceptable. Some hairlines visible at the inside back scale pivot required coating the inside pivots with CA and sanding, while working the CA up and into the pivot holes to gain strength. As extra insurance for the peening to come, I CA'd some brass spacers in as well! (this bone is THIN!). The original lead wedge to the bone scales was determined too thick in the test-fit, so it was unpinned from the bottom as well and the wedge from the bug-eaten horn originals was substituted and fitted. All of the original triple-stacks from the bone scales were retained and used. Lots of polishing on the old bone, waxed at the end.

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Beautiful work! I admire your patience and persistence, and I'm grateful for you having shared the process and photos with us. I'm also very glad that you chose those scales, rather than something gaudy and/or acrylic.

very nice work sharptonn!

As usual Tom you resurrected a hand full, and you knocked it out of the park. The blade and scales compliment each other perfectly.
Love it.
Darl

Nothing critical comes to mind in any way for me. SRP members who have done, are doing or learning to do restorations have to envy your work on that superb straight razor.

I really like those scales. The restoration as a whole is very nice. Did I mention how much I like the scales?

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Originally Posted by RezDog

I really like those scales. The restoration as a whole is very nice. Did I mention how much I like the scales?

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Yes, Rez! They are downright likable! :D Thanks! Thanks to all for the nice comments!

........... :bow ..........

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Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

........... :bow ..........

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Thanks, Jimmy! You are so nice to be nice! ;)

What can one say , one is most impressed..........yet again - from all your Aussie mates.

Love it...

Beautifully done!, classic elegant, the scales are just incredible. The box restoration is a great touch, a complete razor like the day it was purchase. Thanks for sharing this great piece of American razor history.

A smashing job, Tom, you should be proud. Absolutely love the scales and the care you have taken over them is the sign of fine workmanship. Keep it away from Darl...! :)

Regards,
Neil

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Originally Posted by Neil Miller

A smashing job, Tom, you should be proud. Absolutely love the scales and the care you have taken over them is the sign of fine workmanship. Keep it away from Darl...! :)

Regards,
Neil

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Thank you, Neil. Yes, loaning that razor to him would make me nervous. Especially if he was climbing the basement stairs with it in hand! As he would say, "Har!"

They are some lovely scales, the whole job is great, but the scales are fabulous.

Nice job. I know i would have been thinking "oh crap oh crap oh crap" the entire peening process lol!

Lovely work! Well thought out! Its nice to see them come alive!!
Ray

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Originally Posted by sharptonn

Thank you, Neil. Yes, loaning that razor to him would make me nervous. Especially if he was climbing the basement stairs with it in hand! As he would say, "Har!"

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Hey I only fell down the stairs a few times, and only once with a razor in hand. Geeeze.

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Originally Posted by Tarkus

Hey I only fell down the stairs a few times, and only once with a razor in hand. Geeeze.

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But of course! ;)

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Originally Posted by sharptonn

But of course! ;)

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Betcha didn't think I was that Limber huhhh huhhh???

Ironically that does look alot like me.
Har !!!

Wow, beautiful restore. Those scales were well worth the effort. Very nice indeed. Well done.

Stu

Superb!

It's always awesome to see the really old American razors!

It makes me happy, to see a job so obviously fuelled by a genuine love for the task. Scales are absolutely stunning, wonderful bone save there. Oh, and beautiful work on the box as well, nice touch on ageing the repaired areas. It looks the part.

That thing there would make anyone proud. Period. :tu

Thanks for the info on Beardsley & Alvord.. i have a Beardsley & Alvord Empire Razor that is a smiling near wedge in what i was told was buffalo horn, i think from the 1880s but im not sure.. i think it was the first razor i honed myself. one of my favorite razors though i haven't shaved with it in a long time. wide bevels, patina, and some black rust. i never understood why folks said wide bevels and smiling razors were hard to hone, though maybe i was lucky in that the hone wear was even, and i didnt have issues with the spine or anything.

never knew anything about Bearsley & Alvord until now, can you tell me anything else about the makers? i'd be curious to know when the razor was made as i think 1880s was an guess..

great restore, the scales arent my cup of tea, but they are very nice and you did a great job.. i dont think i would ever restore mine, maybe some neatsfoot oil for the buffalo horn as they do seem dry and could use it..

[QUOTE=ezpz;1195793]Thanks for the info on Beardsley & Alvord.. i have a never knew anything about Bearsley & Alvord until now, can you tell me anything else about the makers? i'd be curious to know when the razor was made as i think 1880s was an guess..

QUOTE]


Sure! Check posts 44 and 45 in this thread : http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...ow-conn-2.html

Them there scales look somewhat familiar tom. Nice work.