2 big Rustic Sheffields

[sharptonn]

Before anyone thinks these are 'before' pics, I will admit that they are 'after' pics. I have had these, particularly the Wade and Butcher, for a long while. With business hot and heavy these days, I wanted something to do in the evenings on occasion with as little pressure as possible. I decided to do (what Neil coined) a 'sympathetic' restoration on these and, at the same time, I wanted them to look real. No mirror shine, not perfect. Like they have aged gracefuly, yet clean, tight, and sharp.


A few before pics here. The Wade and Butcher was the most involved due to the steel nail pinning the top and a big chunk of bug damage to the rear scale. After being totally unpinned, I epoxied the damage with some bakelite dust mixed-in as well as filling the top holes (which were oversized due to the 'nail') and sanded down smooth, redrilling the top pin-holes. I then attempted to distress the repair a bit, to match the rest. It was missing a top collar,but fortunately, I had a few left in reserve.



The H & JW King razor was imported and sold by an outfit described as being Importers of English hardware, cutlery, and guns. While they put their name on their merchandise, it is not much of a stretch to imagine just who made this particular razor for them! I could not see, but assume J W King was Hezekiah's son.

Hezekiah King began his business life with the firm of J D Wolfe, Bishop & Co, 87 Maiden Lane, NYC in 1840.
Becoming vested after a long employ, he cashed in and began his own business at 86 John St in 1857 and later, in 1865, at 51 Beekman St and lasted until 1892. Indeed, a mention of him in an old issue of Iron Age, a periodical, describes his business in volume 49, page 379, on Jan 7, 1892.

As to the razors, the King (9/8)was unpinned from the top to facilitate cleaning rust from the pivot and getting the grunge from inside of the scales.
Both blades were hand cleaned with WD40/CroOx paste using a scrap of crocus cloth to rub. Some light sanding on the spine of the W&B (17/16) to eliminate rust and a light trip across the buffer. The scales were saturated with Neatsfoot oil and allowed to soak in and both were pinned with no spacers, just as they came. Everything original, save 1 collar (which is period from another W&B razor) and 3 pins. The hones were kind and they both shave remarkably having been finished on Escher.

They turned out exactly as I desired. Some scratches, a little pitting, scars. Even a few nibbles around the scales. Clean, tight and sharp! Genuine!