Thread: Newboulds Celebrated RAzor

Not much in the archives on this maker. I thought I'd share.
A 7/8 Newbould near wedge. The King William’s sovereign stamp dates the razor 1830 -1837. It is extremely weak but it’s there. Tweedale’s Directory has a Samual Newbould associated with Thomas, William & George Newbould who were listed as American merchants and button makers in 1811 and remained listed on South St. until 1829. The firm appears to have become defunct though Samual Newbould & Co. was still listed as a steel and tool merchant on South St. The Sheffield Trade Directory lists a Samual Newbould as an edge tool maker from 1791 to 1846 at various locations in Sheffield.
Struck unevenly or worn away was a ‘Fine India Steel’ blade stamp. The maker’s stamp was also struck uneven being weak at the top and strong at the bottom. Luckily the tang area was pretty clean to start with so I was able to save the stamp. Based on what I could see of the grinding wheel marks on the tang and blade face I think the razor originally had a glazed finish so that is the finish I used in restoration. The scales I believe original to the razor and most interestingly there were thrust washers at the pivot. I have never seen them on this early a razor. It doesn't appear so in the pictures but the scales were very delaminate and cracked through the wedge pin which broke completely during disassembly. The new scales are copies in black horn with a lead wedge and brass pins and collars.The tang jimps are nice and sharp and provide a good grip.

Thank you! I love the lesser makers as history and also fine Sheffield steel!.
~Richard

Again, this is like a new razor! I haven't seen craftsmanship like this anywhere on SRP and that is saying something. Mycarver would be the only one in my book that is up there with you Karl. The Holley I got from you was one of the best edges also. I like that you don't put fluorescent green or other weird scales on but keep it an original look. My preference I guess. You do great work with excellent finishes also.

Beautiful work, but your restorations all seem to be that good. If it's not a secret, I would love to know what your process is to put a polish like that on a rusty old blade. Obviously there's a lot of skill involved, but what kind of wheel, abrasives, etc?

Originally Posted by thunderbird47

Beautiful work, but your restorations all seem to be that good. If it's not a secret, I would love to know what your process is to put a polish like that on a rusty old blade. Obviously there's a lot of skill involved, but what kind of wheel, abrasives, etc?

No secret at all. The regrinding ended with a 600 grit belt (actually it's a 30 micron 3M belt which equates pretty close to 600 grit) on a 2 x72 grinder followed by buffing the blade faces on a sisal wheel loaded with Jantz medium cut and color compound. The tang and spine were buffed using that same compound but on a treated spiral sewn cotton wheel. On the spine the grinder contact wheel is hard and leaves facets running lengthwise so after a 400 grit belt I go to the buffer using a spiral sewn cotton wheel loaded with 400 grit greaseless to blend followed by 600 grit greaseless before final polishing.

Thanks for sharing that!!

Man you kill it when you restore a blade! Great work and thanks for sharing I always enjoy seeing your work.

Very nice restoration, you did a fine job sir
Thanks for sharing and the history about the lesser known makers.

Nice work...and thanks for the info!

Terrific work as always! As mentioned above, I like that you keep to the original look of the razor. I love looking into the history of old razors, so often there is not much information to be had! Thanks for sharing this