Thread: A challenging E.L. & Co. blade

Austin Kennedy sends me some challenging razors. This is one and it has been returned to it's owner for some new scales. He recently sent me a few pictures of the completed razor wearing some nice classic black horn scales. My hope is he will post the pictures.
If I remember the blade is 15/16 at its widest point and heavy. The show face looked like it may have had an etching. I'm guessing masonic. The blade now wears crocus finished blade faces and glazed finished spine and tang. Here are a few before pictures before. A couple after the 400 grit belt and a bevel check. One of the makers stamp in a set of mock up scales sent to protect the blade and bevel in transit.

Karl Johnson has always done some amazing restorations and this is no exception. This old E. L. & Co. came with old wood hand carved scales, a nice chip and a frown on the rough blade. He brought this back to life as I knew he would. I then added some nice thin dark horn scales and a camel bone wedge. Used some old Brass bullseye washers I had been saving for the worthy candidate. One of the paper thin, Bullseye washers split on me when pinning but will leave it for now. It adds character. Just to share. Austin

Lovely work gentlemen
Do we know anything about E.L & Co ?

Originally Posted by 782sirbrian

Lovely work gentlemen
Do we know anything about E.L & Co ?

I have not been able to find out any additional other then the few threads in this forum. I have a Wm Stenton & sons and the design and scale is quite similar for these larger Sheffields. Just saying????

Thanks Austin, after my post above I had a look around. It seems likely E.L was Edward Leon. I've seen razors made by Abraham Leon, 190 Solly St, Sheffield, assuming Edward's brother. The Leon's are recorded living on Lambert St which is a stones throw from Solly St, and the place John Watts had a factory which is now restored into apartments.
At this time mid 1800's Solly St was a shorter street than it is today. Peacroft was renamed to continue on as Solly St. Plenty of razor makers in this immediate area.

That is some nice research on this old Sheffield cutler. Sure seems reasonable to me. Glad we have someone in SRP who can walk the turf for us in Sheffield. Thanks so much.

Wow amazing job. You did a great job.

I’ve seen the exact same blade style from Greaves, W. O. Wilton, Samuel Hawcroft, and at least two others.

IMHO, they date to 1840-1850, and all seem to have had the same Masonic etching.

1840-50 seems to be the period for all these big Sheffield blades, many with the masonic symbols. Many of the Wade and Butchers FBU date to this period as well. Interesting how styles come and go. I like the big blades and enjoy collecting and restoring them but actually prefer shaving with the 6/8 by W&B or Wm Greaves. Interesting ...

Originally Posted by ajkenne

1840-50 seems to be the period for all these big Sheffield blades, many with the masonic symbols. Many of the Wade and Butchers FBU date to this period as well. Interesting how styles come and go. I like the big blades and enjoy collecting and restoring them but actually prefer shaving with the 6/8 by W&B or Wm Greaves. Interesting ...

There were some from the 30's too, but the style of the blade was different. Much more along the lines of the GB anchor razors. And I've seen Masonic etched razors that go back to the 1810's, but they weren't huge.