Thread: George Manby & Co restoration

Hi gents, my fifth restoration attempt started with this old blade.
A George Manby & Co, late with BJ Eyre & Co razor with surface rust and no scales to start from.

I used my new home grown belt sander rig to clean up the blade and to shape the buffalo horn scales. Worked very well, variable speed meant no hot blade and crisp sanding lines on the spine area.
I made a brass lined wedge with a slice of walnut for the middle of the wedge. Stepped the inside of the scales a bit to allow for the 1/32 " brass. Turned out a touch translucent but I like the effect.

Honed it up from 1k-8k-Charnley Forest to finish using two strips of tape on the spine. Really fine edge on it I'm happy to say.
My first attempt at horn scale building. That ripple effect is visible, but can't feel it with the finger. They came out very smooth with micromesh pads and water. I guess it's the nature of flattened horn. Brass pins and a double washer stack to add to what I hope is an old fashioned look. Polished them with a coat of turtle wax.
Not a lot of information on this maker, but I am assuming its a pre 1900 razor.
Cheers gents, and thanks for looking.

Very nicely done Mike. Classy.

Well done! I appreciate the fact that you did not highly polish the scales to look like plastic! Keep 'em comong!
~Richard

I really like the look and shape of those scales. Is the blade a near wedge? I look forward to seeing you future work!

Thanks gents. The razor is a 7/8th near wedge I would say, maybe 1/4 hollow ground? The balance is bang on with the brass added to the wedge as well. Balances on my finger right at the pivot pin when open.
Thanks for noticing the slightly less shiny finish on the horn Richard. That was intentional. I have seen them shine like glass, but liked that ripple effect and wanted to keep it on the finished work. Natural materials are rarely perfect and I like the natural defects, adds character.
As I gain experience restoring these old blades, I am less intent on removing all the signs of age as I was in the beginning. If the edge is clean, and the blade is rust free and smooth, I'm happy and stop. For me it's now more about keeping it clean and the lines crisp. And the shave, of course, the shave is the true litmus test.
Next up will be an old 8/8 W and B barbers notch I have in the drawer, also without scales.
Kind of liberating not having the original skins on the razors when you are designing new ones. Just draw out the blade and sketch away. After my last three restores all in one piece scales, it was fun to make one in the more traditional wedged format. Glad I did the old blade justice with my attempts.
Cheers.

Very nice job on the restore. Congrats.

Looks great! It seems Eyre like to ride the coatails of names they bought out. In this case, Manby.

The only George Manby I could find was one inventor in the 1800s that made the first fire extinguisher. No reference to razor or smith work though.
Today's shave test was good. Not great, but good. My own fault most likely as I'm still a rookie with the rocks, among everything else. Will hit the stones again, pull out my sharpie and loupe too. It's close.. ;-)
Cheers.

Originally Posted by MikeB52

Hi gents, my fifth restoration attempt started with this old blade.
A George Manby & Co, late with BJ Eyre & Co razor with surface rust and no scales to start from.

I used my new home grown belt sander rig to clean up the blade and to shape the buffalo horn scales. Worked very well, variable speed meant no hot blade and crisp sanding lines on the spine area.
I made a brass lined wedge with a slice of walnut for the middle of the wedge. Stepped the inside of the scales a bit to allow for the 1/32 " brass. Turned out a touch translucent but I like the effect.

Honed it up from 1k-8k-Charnley Forest to finish using two strips of tape on the spine. Really fine edge on it I'm happy to say.
My first attempt at horn scale building. That ripple effect is visible, but can't feel it with the finger. They came out very smooth with micromesh pads and water. I guess it's the nature of flattened horn. Brass pins and a double washer stack to add to what I hope is an old fashioned look. Polished them with a coat of turtle wax.
Not a lot of information on this maker, but I am assuming its a pre 1900 razor.
Cheers gents, and thanks for looking.

Great job on a nice old razor