J. Rodgers CTTM.

I decided to keep this close to original. I could have made up some new scales with the wedge cut into the scales as these are but decided to clean up the ratty looking originals.
The challenge was to recreate the washers. They are similar to the W&Bs, stamped from thin metal with a support washer under them.
I made mine one piece from a sheet of Nickle Silver. They basically look the same but are solid so I didn't have to worry about flattening them when peening.
Didn't go crazy over polishing the blade and gave it a factory type finish. A bit more polishing though on the shaft/spine/tail as is typical.
This way the razor has a vintage overall look to is as if it was a cared for old piece.
According to the reference I could find this may be from as late as 1901. Apparently the wording of "Cutlers to His/Her/Their Majesties, Majesty" will date them.

Very nicely done. I love it !!!

What Walterbowens said!!

Outstanding!

IMHO, it's 1850's. Been reground, I'm pretty sure. Rodgers didn't often go in for the large washers like that, so I kind of wonder if those were a later addition when it was originally worked on. Prolly in the 1880's. I assume those second holes were drilled out at the toe when you got the washers off?

I don't believe it was reground seeing the blade and the wear it showed.
The washers I'm sure some like and some won't care for but I have seen several examples of other factory blades with these same exact washers. I wanted it restored as it was. These were washers the factory used. What's wrong with a bit of variety? It looks right at home among 400+ razors. Glad they aren't all the same. To me much of the enjoyment is seeing the variety of styles and not making them all the same because of some design I might prefer.

Here too someone might prefer day-glo flourescent green acrylic on this and that would be their choice.

Those holes , also factory, were from a second steel pin that was under the washer. Another detail I have seen on original blades with the "wedge" cut out of the scales.
This was complete I'd say. Unique but blends with all the other Rodgers I have in my collection.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mycarver

I don't believe it was reground seeing the blade and the wear it showed.
The washers I'm sure some like and some won't care for but I have seen several examples of other factory blades with these same exact washers. I wanted it restored as it was. These were washers the factory used. What's wrong with a bit of variety? It looks right at home among 400+ razors. Glad they aren't all the same. To me much of the enjoyment is seeing the variety of styles and not making them all the same because of some design I might prefer.

Here too someone might prefer day-glo flourescent green acrylic on this and that would be their choice.

Those holes , also factory, were from a second steel pin that was under the washer. Another detail I have seen on original blades with the "wedge" cut out of the scales.
This was complete I'd say. Unique but blends with all the other Rodgers I have in my collection.

---

Huh! I don't think I'd ever come across the second pin on the integral-wedge scales. The only razor I'd seen that on was an ancient French one in tortoiseshell, with HUGE decorative collars. I'd also never seen the integral-wedge on flat, beveled scales -- very cool!

I just noticed it appears to have an unusually 'descending' tail, too. Is that just the angle, or does the tail really descend below the level of the scales when it's closed? That's a feature I've only ever seen on razors from the 1840's. But it looks like it could just be a trick of the angle.

For some reason, I really easily forget how varied the lineup of razors Rodgers made was!

And I wasn't complaining about the style of the washers! I'm all for putting it back together the way it was when you found it!

Was the second wedge pin historically factory? I've seen it on a number of razors 1790s-1830s or so and had assumed it was just someone putting it in later for stability. Then again, it was usually underneath the collars.

The bit about 'their majesties' - IIRC knives display this variation a lot more than razors. Every Rodgers razor I have had an example of, from 1840s to post-England stamping, has been 'their'. Could be confirmation bias, but I also recall that a 'her' was extremely hard to find for razors (fairly common in knives).

edit: link to the Jolly Rodgers. Better example than my anecdotal evidence - the vast majority across different periods is 'their' but there are a few 'his' scattered in there.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...y-rodgers.html

Interesting razor! I must say i agree with Zak's, that this blade has been reground at some point in time. Even showing quite a bit of honewear, the new profile could be well over 100 years ago.

More importantly, what jumps at me is the lack of "Rodgers" famous trademark. More then likely present at this blade birth and ground off for the new profile. I came across many advertisement about "Rodgers" and how crucial it was for them to have their trademark stamped on every blade.
Attachment 165528

Furthermore, im drawed to claim that the scales are not even original to this blade, seems like the wedge would be thicker to match the tang and the lack of curves on them, and really not familiar in any way with these large washers on "Rodgers" blade.... Just my observation.

Hmmm all interesting questions and observations. That's part of what keeps me hooked.
I'm certainly not the one to speak with authority on any of these things compared to what I have read from other members about the history of razors.
From the little I know the word "Theirs" would run from around 1840 to 1901. It then changes to "His". This I believe can be further sub divided for more specifics as to who was Reining at the time but it seems to be limited to these two words. Personally I haven't seen a "Her" on a razor. For all I know there may be some out there.
As to the second steel pin under the washer/collar. I've seen it several times. Might have seen it more, but not all razors get broken down. Enough to say I think it's factory. And it almost always appears with scales without a separate wedge. And this one, like others , had a cross hatch pattern on the end of it. Makes sense because this pin is below the surface , steel, and the tool setting it in place was hatched and left an imprint ,or the pin itself was crosshatched. This would have served to keep the drift from slipping off during peening and creating a large hole next to it.
Just a guess but it makes sense to me.
Why was it there? Again just a guess but maybe it was a way to secure the scales while some final shaping was done? While fitting a blade? The way some use micro bolts today while fitting up and finishing. Or double sided tape to hold things together while shaping scales?
And since this was very securely holding the scales together ( a bugger to get out) after the main pin was removed maybe it served as extra security since the washers are relatively thin and they didn't want to flatten them when pinning and still keep this end of the razor tight. The hinge end not a big deal.

These are only my observations and guesses to these questions and things I find. For all I know I'm way off base. But finding answers, solutions to the problems and trying to recreate what I can, I find endlessly fascinating. So much to learn, so little time.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Martin103

Interesting razor! I must say i agree with Zak's, that this blade has been reground at some point in time. Even showing quite a bit of honewear, the new profile could be well over 100 years ago.

More importantly, what jumps at me is the lack of "Rodgers" famous trademark. More then likely present at this blade birth and ground off for the new profile. I came across many advertisement about "Rodgers" and how crucial it was for them to have their trademark stamped on every blade.
Attachment 165528

Furthermore, im drawed to claim that the scales are not even original to this blade, seems like the wedge would be thicker to match the tang and the lack of curves on them, and really not familiar in any way with these large washers on "Rodgers" blade.... Just my observation.

---

Ah, slipped under my post.
What you say may very well be true. I don't really know.
As far as these washers though showing up on Rodgers blades there are other examples. There is a thread on another forum dedicated to CTTM blades and they show up on some razors.
Now maybe someone rescaled a bunch of them , snuck the second pin in under the washer and got them out. But it just seems odd that they'd just be these razors.
Also on the thread there are other razors without the trademark stamped on the blade. I know the one you are talking about.
Also the several Rodgers CTTM I have from a 7 day set are not stamped on the blade but sport matching Ivory scales.
I doubt all these razors were reground but I guess anything is possible.
I really don't know.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mycarver

Ah, slipped under my post.
There is a thread on another forum dedicated to CTTM blades and they show up on some razors.

---

Got a link to that thread?

In all the old razors that have passed through my hands I've learned more and more that I am not good at telling factory-original pieces. I have a few that I am sure of, but it's actually really hard to say since the frequency with which razors were taken apart, cleaned, reground, reassembled, and had parts changed, often with highly skilled craftsmanship, was higher than I might expect.

Here are some other examples ( sorry , quick pics) of blades without an etch. I find it hard to believe there was that much regrinding going on. The Ivories, not in the correct box (His) as you can see look pretty much factory to me. Same for the other blade. But the last one is very cool. Not the etch you'd expect but I like it.

I've seen a lot of beautiful razors on this site but this is the first time I have seen a truly amazing poster? One of those pieces of graphic art I would never get tired of looking at. Thanks for posting it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Martin103

Interesting razor! I must say i agree with Zak's, that this blade has been reground at some point in time. Even showing quite a bit of honewear, the new profile could be well over 100 years ago.

More importantly, what jumps at me is the lack of "Rodgers" famous trademark. More then likely present at this blade birth and ground off for the new profile. I came across many advertisement about "Rodgers" and how crucial it was for them to have their trademark stamped on every blade.
Attachment 165528

Furthermore, im drawed to claim that the scales are not even original to this blade, seems like the wedge would be thicker to match the tang and the lack of curves on them, and really not familiar in any way with these large washers on "Rodgers" blade.... Just my observation.

---

Thought this was an interesting shot. The first blade in the right is believed to be French. As someone said they had seen these before. It has the collars mine did though somewhat worn of course with the same shaped scales don't know what it means but I thought it was interesting to see.

It looks early French to me, the styling is typical. Some fine razors there - what is the one on the bottom right?

Yup, French.
The lower right the guy says is an Osborn.