9/8 Freidmann & Lauterjung Celebrated Razor

**karlej** · 01-30-2018, 04:37 PM

Freidmann & Lauterjung Celebrated Razor. J. Christopher Freidmann and Charles R. Lauterjung operated an import firm in New York City 1864 - 1909. This large 9/8 near wedge blade was most likely made in Sheffield, England for the firm. Bearing a very light acid etched tang stamp the razor dates to the mid 1880's. Restored to it's original condition with a glazed finish which nicely blends the flaws in the tang etching. The blade finish is from a 600 grit belt and lightly blended using a very fine scotch brite wheel.The original scales where badly warped allowing the heel of the razor to protrude below the scales. They were straightened, re-dyed black, the original lead wedge re-fit, and given a soft satin finish befitting their age. They still retain a few small bug bites. The original beehive collars were used in reassembly.
The spine of the razor had fairly even hone wear but the width of the spine tapers from .290 at the toe to .265 at the heel. A taper of .025 inches. The hone wear at the bevel was not so even. On the show face side a wider bevel in the middle and thinner at the heel and toe. On the back face the opposite. Thin in the middle and wider at the heel and toe. A warped blade. I find these old Sheffield blades always present challenges. Frequently warped or ground unevenly.
No blade width was lost in regrinding this blade. The grinding stopped when the warp was removed and the bevel's visible hone wear was smaller and even. The spine width was also left as original.
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