Thread: 18th Century Razor, Restored and Back to Shaving Once Again.

At first glance most people would look at this blade the way it was and make it part of the recycling bin or make it part of some wind chime or whatever. But I was familiar with the makers mark and firmly believed it could be potentially shaving once again. The makers of this mark "R(heart) / SPAIN" is Ann Rowland, indeed a female cutler, listed in Gales & Martin 1774, Gales & Martin 1787, British Directory 1791, and none after.
That said there is no doubt that this blade was fabricated in the 18th Century. Here the razor the way I received it.



There is no doubt that this razor was used extensively, the wear on the blade seem like it was honed many many times but not abused, certainly someone took the time to make new scales from one piece of wood and more then likely a piece of metal left over from who knows what for a washer to hold it together with a single steel pin.



I had a clear vision in my complex brain as to what I wanted to look like after restoration, and be somewhat "time correct" and practical. That consist of bone scales, big large copper washers with an ebony wedge. Did have the necessary bone for scales and ebony for the wedge but no large copper washers. So my idea was to use a copper rivet like the picture below, cut the tail off, drill a hole in the middle and use that for washers.



At this point this entire project took a wild turn, in having a discussion with my friend Roy (Cudarunner) he showed some interest in working on this old blade and I end up shipping the razor, the rivets, the bone and a chunk of Gabon Ebony to him. From the time he received the package we begin exchanging e-mail about scales shapes, exchanging picture of time correct period razor, thickness of scales, and my quest and vision to make washers out of them copper rivets. Personally I found the email exchange to be quite fun, turns out good olde Roy is just as anal as myself about a lot of things (sorry Roy, good quality in my book).
The blade was clean up of all its gunk, leaving some patina and minor pits.



Scales were made to shape, wedge and large copper washers, pinned with copper rod, Roy really did a fantastic job exactly like the way I wanted it.





And lastly it was sent to Glen for a proper honing job.

It is something really special to be able to shave today with a razor like this one.

Between the 2 of you guys that turned out real well, congrats. Like you idea on the washers too. Enjoy.

Bob

I want one.........................he! he!

Congrats! Would love to have one that old to shave with. I'll bet Glen put a nice edge on. How does it shave?

Originally Posted by DoughBoy68

I want one.........................he! he!

Congrats! Would love to have one that old to shave with. I'll bet Glen put a nice edge on. How does it shave?

I had the pleasure to use this razor often already, its a little more difficult to shave with since the tail is so small, so you need a good grip on the tang while shaving, it is a very smooth shaver.

Very nice oldie, Martin! Hat's off to Roy and Glen as well!


So on the wind chime thing......What you talkin' about?

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Very nice oldie, Martin! Hat's off to Roy and Glen as well!


So on the wind chime thing......What you talkin' about?

Was just trying to get my point across... and I knew you would enjoy the little dig.

First and foremost, I was honored when Martin asked me to work on a razor that was made at the time that we were fighting for our independence from England.

Emails? Oh yes! Way too many to count, pics of period correct scales, washers, pinning, materials etc. Length and width of scales and even the thickness of the scales were discussed.

The copper rivets really threw me a curve ball as Martin had included the washers that would be used in their typical application. Once 'we' figured out what was what, then things started to make sense to this old redneck country boy.

I clipped the shafts off of the rivets then filed them flat and center punched them as best I could (to say I could have been more accurate would be an understatement) however all worked out well. After drilling I rounded the washers and gave them a polish.

When you look at the Birds Eye View of the toe, you'd think that I'd grossly misdrilled the hole, but it's straight as an arrow. It's the mis-alainment of the holes in the washers you see. Yes looks can be deceiving.

I used the same treatment for these bone scales as I did for Shaun's 'Bad Bone' as it give a very nice look (almost Ivory) and the feel in hand is wonderful.

Originally Martin had wanted me to hone this age old blade but I declined as I felt we'd lost enough steel removing the rust and the chips in the edge and I didn't want to waste any more--so off to Glen it went.

I'll tell you this; it's nice when a project comes together after a real team effort and I want to thank my teammates for allowing me to be part of the team :

Originally Posted by cudarunner

I'll tell you this; it's nice when a project comes together after a real team effort and I want to thank my teammates for allowing me to be part of the team :

Well Roy, you did the bulk of the work, a fine job at that.

I too would love to own something of that era some day. Just think about what it could say if it could talk.

Really nice restoration.
Shaving with a razor that old is a special deal in itself.
I'm curious. Are you going to keep the copper collars polished or let them develop the natural patina that occurs with copper over time? Either way, you have a razor that's beautifully restored and very special.
Congratulations and enjoy!

Pete <:-}