Newboulds Celebrated RAzor

[karlej]

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.