Thread: Pickbone Torrey

I have been going through the workbench, finding projects lately. (low dough!) I found this 13/16 Torrey #47 blade, an old one.
It had been shortened a bit and the spine was hanging out past the edge, so I brought the toe back in and gave it a nice gentle round-point and really just polished it up a bit. With this tang stamp and the Torrey Razor Strop logo, I figure is is a pretty early Torrey, possibly from the hands of Joseph Turner of Meridian, Connecticut as he did lots of razors for Torrey in the early days of Torrey's razor sales before joining them in Worcester in 1880. OR, possibly in the early days of his joining them. Either way, it exhibits the old Sheffield style and lovely steel for which Turner's earlier work was known.
With a cutting edge of 2 1/2 inches, some shorter scales were needed and since I had recently unpinned a nice blade from these thin pickbone scales (long story), it all just seemed to fit. A really thin wedge was required to keep the blade in check, so the thinnest lead example from the 'sack 'O wedges' was tried and did the deed. All pinned up collarless with brass, I really like the feel, balance, and especially the shave! It shaves like a dream!

Thanks for looking!

I love pic bone scales, on pocket knives, got a bunch, on razors ........ nary a one, but that is great Tom.

The quality workmanship we are used to seeing from you Tom. Most of the Torreys I see have such a weak makers mark. I have not seen many that show so well. I guess that must be part of the sign of the age as well as what is marked.

Very interesting razor Tom, did a fantastic job with the new shape and finish and scales, Enjoy!

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I love pic bone scales, on pocket knives, got a bunch, on razors ........ nary a one, but that is great Tom.

Thanks, Jimmy! I agree! Picbone is neat!

Originally Posted by RezDog

The quality workmanship we are used to seeing from you Tom. Most of the Torreys I see have such a weak makers mark. I have not seen many that show so well. I guess that must be part of the sign of the age as well as what is marked.

Indeed, Shaun, made before acid etched stamps, it was done the 'Old fashioned' way! Thank You!

Originally Posted by Martin103

Very interesting razor Tom, did a fantastic job with the new shape and finish and scales, Enjoy!

Thanks, Martin. Means a great deal! So do you think my timeline is about right?

I looked at my 3 Torreys and all are stamped with the usual tang stamp. I think yours is the first and only I've seen with that stuff about 'razor and strop' on the tang. Betting it is an oldie.

I agree with the timeline as well, not the usual stamp Definately early and very Sheffield like. After all Torrey was a manuf of strops well before he sold razors so it all makes sense about the stamp on your blade.

I love your taste Tom. Always have.

Lovely Tom! Something about pick-bone scales and certain American razors. Like apple pie and vanilla ice cream...

I love Torreys...my favorite Americans,those and the early Henry Sears. Great steel...and that my friend is a real beauty! Nicely done!

Very Nice My Friend! Very Nice! : I really like the look and fit.