Herder in Silver

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09-10-2015, 04:55 PM
sharptonn

8 Attachment(s)

Herder in Silver

Just got this one off the hones and have shaven with it. The balance and ergonomics of this 7/8 blade razor while handling, stropping, and shaving are quite exemplary, IMO.

The blade is an F. Herder and Sons from Solingen, a Model 25 in 7/8ths. The sterling silver scales are from Foster and Bailey in Providence, Rhode Island between 1878-1895.

A bit over the top for some, I expect, this pairing came as a result of an almost mint blade in hard rubber plain black scales combined with these sterling scales which have shed the original F&B blade that had long been (obviously) relegated to 'letter-opener' duty for quite a long while.

I must confess, not a tremendous amount of work involved. A few dings straightened in the scales, some hand-polishing while leaving the blade alone, aside from a good polish. A few pits and stains, but nothing to warrant any sanding or other such.
Pinning went great as these scales were pressed flat with some nice flats in the tang area underneath.
Without further adieu, some pictures! :chapeau

Attachment 211659 Attachment 211660 Attachment 211661 Attachment 211662 Attachment 211663 Attachment 211664 Attachment 211665 Attachment 211666
09-10-2015, 04:59 PM
Hirlau

I'd like to see more razors with scales like those,,,,:tu
09-10-2015, 08:46 PM
JimmyHAD

Man ! That French point, shoulderless grind just goes so nicely with those beautiful scales. Tom, you always hit a home run when you come up to the plate with these posts, but this time you knocked it out of the park ! :bow
09-10-2015, 08:48 PM
Geezer

I'm in love!! Truly a razor to long for!
It appears that the scales are cast. I have seen stamped and chased scales but not cast..Be cheaper to do a good job that way!

~Richard
09-10-2015, 08:52 PM
Leatherstockiings

Very classy sir, very classy!
09-10-2015, 09:01 PM
nipper

Oh my! "Sweet dreams are made of this". If I woke up one day and saw that waiting for me I'd faint.
09-10-2015, 09:06 PM
sharptonn

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hirlau

I'd like to see more razors with scales like those,,,,:tu

Me too, John! Mee too! :D

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leatherstockiings

Very classy sir, very classy!

Thank You! :)
09-10-2015, 09:07 PM
sharptonn

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Man ! That French point, shoulderless grind just goes so nicely with those beautiful scales. Tom, you always hit a home run when you come up to the plate with these posts, but this time you knocked it out of the park ! :bow

Quote:

Originally Posted by nipper

Oh my! "Sweet dreams are made of this". If I woke up one day and saw that waiting for me I'd faint.

Thanks, Gents! :bow Yeah, I had to put it away.......Wasn't getting much work done staring at it! :rofl2:
09-10-2015, 09:09 PM
sharptonn

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geezer

I'm in love!! Truly a razor to long for!
It appears that the scales are cast. I have seen stamped and chased scales but not cast..Be cheaper to do a good job that way!

~Richard

Thanks Richard! :) I do think they are stamped or pressed as the designs are on the backsides and the wedge end is hollow where the 2 halves were soldered together.
09-10-2015, 09:38 PM
Tarkus

As always Tom your the envy of every member here. Nothing looks as elegant as ornate sterling silver scales.
Simply stunning!!!
We will have to give you the nickname "The Silvermeister"
09-10-2015, 09:49 PM
evnpar

I like "over the top." That's about as beautiful as it gets. Absolutely gorgeous. Congratulations.
09-10-2015, 10:01 PM
WW243

He said, 'the Silvermeister.' HAR!
09-10-2015, 10:12 PM
sharptonn

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tarkus

As always Tom your the envy of every member here. Nothing looks as elegant as ornate sterling silver scales.
Simply stunning!!!
We will have to give you the nickname "The Silvermeister"

Thanks, Darl, for the kind words, but 'silvermeister'? :rofl2:

Quote:

Originally Posted by evnpar

I like "over the top." That's about as beautiful as it gets. Absolutely gorgeous. Congratulations.

I appreciate that, Richard! :D
09-10-2015, 10:13 PM
sharptonn

Quote:

Originally Posted by WW243

He said, 'the Silvermeister.' HAR!

HEY! I have been called worse! :roflmao
09-10-2015, 10:14 PM
Haroldg48

Quote:

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Thanks Richard! :) I do think they are stamped or pressed as the designs are on the backsides and the wedge end is hollow where the 2 halves were soldered together.

I wonder if they were made like fine Sterling hollow knife handles were made, and then cut lengthwise and stamped? My mom and grandmom both had knife handles that had that look, but the also had Sterling cold cream jar lids and compacts, etc. I have some of the knives in the gun safe. I'll pull them out and inspect them later. If similar, I'll post pictures.
09-10-2015, 10:35 PM
Wolfpack34

Truly a beauty Tom! Those scales deserved a mint blade...and that mint blade deserved those scales. What a wonderful pairing! :tu
09-10-2015, 10:39 PM
Substance

WOW just WOW
now that is Flash indeed
very nice
what is the stamps in the back scale, are they hallmarks or something different ??
09-10-2015, 10:46 PM
HARRYWALLY

Beautiful... just beautiful Tom. Love the french point and shoulderless blade. Bet it shaves amazing!
09-10-2015, 10:51 PM
Phrank

Gobsmacked - that is a beautiful straight razor in every way.

Gorgeous job Tom, as mentioned, out of the ballpark, nothing but the corner of the net!
09-10-2015, 10:52 PM
sharptonn

2 Attachment(s)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haroldg48

I wonder if they were made like fine Sterling hollow knife handles were made, and then cut lengthwise and stamped? My mom and grandmom both had knife handles that had that look, but the also had Sterling cold cream jar lids and compacts, etc. I have some of the knives in the gun safe. I'll pull them out and inspect them later. If similar, I'll post pictures.

I am certain they were made much the same, Harold. Lots of these items were stamped using dies. F&B made a plethora of items.
Here is a nail file and a dresser jar from them.

Attachment 211688 Attachment 211689
09-10-2015, 10:55 PM
sharptonn

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolfpack34

Truly a beauty Tom! Those scales deserved a mint blade...and that mint blade deserved those scales. What a wonderful pairing! :tu

Thanks, Mike! ;) I get lucky once in a while!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Substance

WOW just WOW
now that is Flash indeed
very nice
what is the stamps in the back scale, are they hallmarks or something different ??

Thank you, Dion. Yes, That is the hallmark back there. Some makers hid them somewhat while F&B seemed to put them in your face! :)
09-10-2015, 10:58 PM
sharptonn

Quote:

Originally Posted by HARRYWALLY

Beautiful... just beautiful Tom. Love the french point and shoulderless blade. Bet it shaves amazing!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phrank

Gobsmacked - that is a beautiful straight razor in every way.

Gorgeous job Tom, as mentioned, out of the ballpark, nothing but the corner of the net!

Man! Nice to hear from a fine pair of Andrews! Better than Aces, I think! I appreciate the kind words, fellows! :bow
09-10-2015, 11:31 PM
Hirlau

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Man ! That French point, shoulderless grind just goes so nicely with those beautiful scales. Tom, you always hit a home run when you come up to the plate with these posts, but this time you knocked it out of the park ! :bow

Alright,,,, alright,,, enough,,,,,:rolleyes: Tom did hit a home run with that razor, but it wasn't "out of the park" :nono:,,, it landed in the first row, center field,,,;)
09-10-2015, 11:32 PM
Wolfpack34

Quote:

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Thanks, Mike! ;) I get lucky once in a while!

You surely do! If I'm not mistaken the "CrossKeys" and the "Spade" marks put that blade sometime after 1927... lucky indeed to find an almost NOS blade like that. Love that profile!
09-10-2015, 11:43 PM
sharptonn

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolfpack34

You surely do! If I'm not mistaken the "CrossKeys" and the "Spade" marks put that blade sometime after 1927... lucky indeed to find an almost NOS blade like that. Love that profile!

Thanks, Mike! I was actually wondering about how to date it. :tu
09-10-2015, 11:44 PM
sharptonn

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hirlau

Alright,,,, alright,,, enough,,,,,:rolleyes: Tom did hit a home run with that razor, but it wasn't "out of the park" :nono:,,, it landed in the first row, center field,,,;)

Ya, John, but it bounced outa your glove and fell into mine! :rofl2:
09-10-2015, 11:52 PM
lz6

King of the mountain with that beauty Tom. The scales just showcase that streamline blade.
Elegant +.
09-11-2015, 12:12 AM
Hirlau

1 Attachment(s)

Quote:

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Ya, John, but it bounced outa your glove and fell into mine! :rofl2:

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Attachment 211715
09-11-2015, 01:41 AM
sharptonn

Quote:

Originally Posted by lz6

King of the mountain with that beauty Tom. The scales just showcase that streamline blade.
Elegant +.

Bob, I truly thank you for reinforcing what I, personally, think of it! :bow
As I related in the OP, over the top for some. But I dig it too! :D

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hirlau

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Attachment 211715

Shush, Hirlau. Noone likes a crybaby! What did I tell you about putting the hand on top of the ball? :roflmao
09-11-2015, 03:09 AM
Chevhead

That is one FINE looking razor my friend! :tu
09-18-2015, 11:42 AM
UKRob

They look great Tom. I was wondering how Richard came up with the cast as opposed to stamped theory but you seem to have corrected that anyway. I assume there is also a noticeable weight difference - cast would be twice as heavy I guess.
09-18-2015, 11:59 AM
Gipson

In the razor very good shape and striking finish handles. The unusual beauty.:tu
09-18-2015, 01:55 PM
sharptonn

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chevhead

That is one FINE looking razor my friend! :tu

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gipson

In the razor very good shape and striking finish handles. The unusual beauty.:tu

Thank You, Gentlemen! :chapeau
09-18-2015, 01:57 PM
sharptonn

Quote:

Originally Posted by UKRob

They look great Tom. I was wondering how Richard came up with the cast as opposed to stamped theory but you seem to have corrected that anyway. I assume there is also a noticeable weight difference - cast would be twice as heavy I guess.

Thanks, Rob. :D Indeed, many think scales such as these would be quite heavy, yet they are quite light!
11-11-2015, 04:39 AM
cheetahmeatpheonix

I was ready to copy and paste the whole thread in one post as a way to say thank you for showing this project but I think everyone on here has expressed their gratitude in the best way possible already. Lets talk about that marble box in the pictures as well....I need one of those.

Awesome work brother

Cheetah
11-21-2015, 03:27 AM
4freek

Wow gorgeous lines. Super nice job too. What a treasure!