Classic American Steel: 15/16 Torrey 'Big Boy'!

A real Beauty...just finished restoring this classic 15/16 'J.R. Torrey, Worcester, Mass.' razor. I really like this razor...what a great shaver! Reminds me a lot of many of the '14's' out there. Crocus finished blade with original restored scales, and domed stainless steel collars. I really think the stainless steel collars add the right effect.

This one's a keeper for sure and for certain...don't often find these Big Torrey's out there in the wild anymore, and this one certainly qualifies as 'Big': very heavy in the hand with a spine width of 9/32.


Enjoy!


COMPARISON PICTURE:

Here's a picture to show you the size of this blade...

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BEFORE PICS:

Some pics before restoration:

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AFTER PICS:


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More Pics:

More Pics:


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Dang!
That's a sharp looking razor; looks like a totally different razor. Your skill continues to amaze me.

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Originally Posted by Leatherstockiings

Dang!
That's a sharp looking razor; looks like a totally different razor. Your skill continues to amaze me.

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Thank you much John! I'm always glad to see your posts...:chapeau

Masterfully done sir. :chapeau
I always look forward to seeing your restores, thank you for saving another razor.

Having a couple of your razors, that beautiful smokin' hot razor makes me want to run downstairs and shave something....where's the cat!!!

Awesome work again Mike, simply doesn't get any better than a nice big old blade like that brought back to life!;)

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Originally Posted by markbignosekelly

Masterfully done sir. :chapeau
I always look forward to seeing your restores, thank you for saving another razor.

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Thank you Mark...I always am envious of some of the pics you show of your collection as well! I appreciate the kind words...

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Originally Posted by Phrank

Having a couple of your razors, that beautiful smokin' hot razor makes me want to run downstairs and shave something....where's the cat!!!

Awesome work again Mike, simply doesn't get any better than a nice big old blade like that brought back to life!;)

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Thanks Andrew! I always love your comments ... :rofl2: .... But how the heck did you know about how I test my newly honed blades????

Shaved Cat Indeed!
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Congratulations, excellent work!

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Originally Posted by gregg71

Congratulations, excellent work!

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Thank you Gregg!

Terrific work! You are right that the domed pins really add to the scales, but the blade itself is amazing too. I have never come across a Torrey that big before, nice find.

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Originally Posted by Ernie1980

Terrific work! You are right that the domed pins really add to the scales, but the blade itself is amazing too. I have never come across a Torrey that big before, nice find.

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Thank you Ernie! :chapeau

Love Torreys. Nice job with that. I have about 30 of them most all 6/8 but I have one 7/8. They shave amazing and hold an edge well. One of my favorite American makers. I'd sure like to come across a big blade like that. Gratz!

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Originally Posted by karlej

Love Torreys. Nice job with that. I have about 30 of them most all 6/8 but I have one 7/8. They shave amazing and hold an edge well. One of my favorite American makers. I'd sure like to come across a big blade like that. Gratz!

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Thanks Karl! I love the Torrey's as well, and they are definitely one of my favorite American made razors as well. In fact all of the razor makers from the Worcester, MA area from back in the day were at the top of the heap IMO. I have several nice ones myself...

Your work is something to aspire to! :tu

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Originally Posted by Chevhead

Your work is something to aspire to! :tu

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Thanks Chev! Funny though...because your work with Ducks and brass transfers is something I aspire to!

Beautiful! Really love the finish you get on your blades!!! Have tried but mine always come out just looking like really fine scratches?!
You do awesome work sir!

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Originally Posted by NewellVW

Beautiful! Really love the finish you get on your blades!!! Have tried but mine always come out just looking like really fine scratches?!
You do awesome work sir!

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Thank you for the nice words Newell!

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Originally Posted by Wolfpack34

Thanks Chev! Funny though...because your work with Ducks and brass transfers is something I aspire to!

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We are goods motivation for each other then!
I'm never happy and always comparing and wishing I could get mine to look as good!
My hat's off to you Sir... :chapeau:

Very nicely done. Clean , solid just beautifully done.

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Originally Posted by mycarver

Very nicely done. Clean , solid just beautifully done.

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Thank you Mark...coming from a craftsman like yourself I really appreciate the thumbs up! :chapeau

As always, great job.:tu

Outstanding ! I like those conical washers btw. And yes American blades are undervalued/appreciated but that is fine with me .

Mike, I seem to remember you liked to finish honing Sheffield razors on a coticule and then a Thuringian. Do you have a preference for Torreys and other American blades?

I'm swelling with pride for American razors :)
And as always Mike, admiring your work.

Being that I was born and raised in Worcester, Ma. that kinda tugs on the 'ol heartstrings. What an absolutely beautiful restoration. I have been looking for that "special" Torrey for quite some time now and am coming up short. Now I know that at least they are out there and there might be a glimmer of hope.
Until I find mine...Enjoy yours!

Pete <:-}

Nice job Wolf. Not a nick or scratch on that cat. :rock:

Beautiful job on the razor. Stunning.

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Originally Posted by Gipson

As always, great job.:tu

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Thank you Gipson...I always look forward to your comments.

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Originally Posted by Wirm

Outstanding ! I like those conical washers btw. And yes American blades are undervalued/appreciated but that is fine with me .

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Appreciate it Wirm. And BTW... I'm with you on American razors. They were some great steel producers back in the day, and the more American razors I work on and hone up the more my appreciation for them grows. I restored a vintage CHALLENGE razor for Andrew a while back and it was one of the nicest shavers to ever touch my face. So...like you I say to those that don't get it about vintage American steel: Great...More for me!

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Originally Posted by Leatherstockiings

Mike, I seem to remember you liked to finish honing Sheffield razors on a coticule and then a Thuringian. Do you have a preference for Torreys and other American blades?

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On this one...and almost every American razor...I usually finish on a very hard Nakayama JNAT after going through the 1-12K Naniwa progression. Probably just habit but I really do like the edges it produces on the harder American steel.

Of course...my Eschers work just as well after the Naniwa's.

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Originally Posted by ChopperDave

Nice job Wolf. Not a nick or scratch on that cat. :rock:

Beautiful job on the razor. Stunning.

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Thank you Dave! I'm looking forward to seeing that Anchor of yours...

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Originally Posted by petercp4e

Being that I was born and raised in Worcester, Ma. that kinda tugs on the 'ol heartstrings. What an absolutely beautiful restoration. I have been looking for that "special" Torrey for quite some time now and am coming up short. Now I know that at least they are out there and there might be a glimmer of hope.
Until I find mine...Enjoy yours!

Pete <:-}

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Thanks Pete...keep looking patiently and you'll find it.

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Originally Posted by WW243

I'm swelling with pride for American razors :)
And as always Mike, admiring your work.

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Thanks Bill! Great to hear from you. I love me some American razors!

That is an awesome restore. Clean and beautiful. I think that's the biggest Torrey I've ever seen. Great, now I want one too. :)
Thanks for sharing. This one made my day.

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Originally Posted by sashimi

That is an awesome restore. Clean and beautiful. I think that's the biggest Torrey I've ever seen. Great, now I want one too. :)
Thanks for sharing. This one made my day.

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Thanks Sashimi!

How do vintage american blades stack up against lets say german razors of the same era?

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Originally Posted by wvuhillbilly

How do vintage american blades stack up against lets say german razors of the same era?

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Everyone's opinion may be different on this question...BUT as far as I'm concerned the best of the vintage American manufacturers stack up against any razors out there as far as quality of steel and workmanship. Which should surprise no one since many of the early American craftsmen came from both Germany and Sheffield.

It's always pleasing to see a tremendous restore that will be used for generations to come. Love your work. Well done!

Doesn't get any better...my compliments on your work.

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Originally Posted by hardblues

Doesn't get any better...my compliments on your work.

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Thank you for the :tu Hardblues...!