Thread: Sterling Harley

This blade was sold by Harley of 33,34 Old Haymarket of Liverpool back in the day. Harley is listed to have been a planemaker and I expect an ironmonger and cutler as well. The 'NEVA' trademark on the backside tang indicates it was made in Sheffield by John Clarke and son, 1892-1921. The blade is a 'rattler' grind and has plain evidence of the lengthwise grinding striations on the blade's faces.

The sterling scales were made by Foster and Baily of Providence, Rhode Island, 1878-1898

Lots of work in this one. The scales were badly dinged up around the edges, so jigs were made to tap and straighten as best I could. A bit of judicious sawing on the inner wedge for clearance, finally got it pinned.

A friend gave me this blade, saying it was bad and he wanted nothing to do with it. Looked OK to me? In fact, it was unused in appearance. As I got it on the hones, I saw what he saw. It was off, BAD! It seemed to be warped or mis-ground in a most peculiar way as, when swooping it upon the stone, the front side did fine yet the bevel was not touching the hone in the middle of the back side.

Several sessions doing the craziest things to bring that backside in finally paid off. In the process, the bevels grew until finally, the middle of the back bevel formed and things felt normal on the stone.
Using a single layer of tape, I coaxed it into submission in several sessions and finally got it shaving cleanly.

I could write a book on the experience, but it would consist of mostly expletives unfit to read!
I feel I owe my friend a dirty deed in exchange!

Anyhoo, all's well which ends well~

Dang! That's a beaut.

I feel a weird sense of accomplishment 😬
And it took so little effort on my part!

Really spectacular Tom, otherworldly even.

In the words of Cousin Eddie, " that's a beaut Clark". Really though that is spectacular.

Originally Posted by WW243

I feel a weird sense of accomplishment ��
And it took so little effort on my part!

You are most welcome, Bill! What are friends for?

Originally Posted by WW243

Really spectacular Tom, otherworldly even.

Thank you, my friend!

You truly are blessed by gods, in your abilities...Tom.

Yea.. Im out classed[emoji1]

But I would have done it in half the time. [emoji23] [emoji23]

Just kidding, it's awsome[emoji56]

Originally Posted by Leatherstockiings

Dang! That's a beaut.

Originally Posted by ejmolitor37

In the words of Cousin Eddie, " that's a beaut Clark". Really though that is spectacular.

Thanks, Fellows!

Originally Posted by outback

You truly are blessed by gods, in your abilities...Tom.

Yea.. Im out classed[emoji1]

But I would have done it in half the time. [emoji23] [emoji23]

Just kidding, it's awsome[emoji56]

Thanks, outback! Yer a nut! (in a good way!)

That's made me go all Barry.... Nice job!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypyiAT1RelU

James.

Tom my list of razors I still want is a very short list as I only go for exceptional quality and cool factor, that razor is on my list of grinds I want , beautiful scales , just not my cup of tea, the blade is phenomenal Great work Tom.