Thread: Old GB

Nice one Tom! Here's one of mine...an 9/8...(I had to go into the archives for this):
Blade length including tang is about 5 7/8" and it is about 1 1/8" wide at widest point of blade.

So do we finally have enough GBs from active and banned users to start a GB club
I nominate Sharptonn to be head honcho of said club. I remember a long time ago, a "super famous" member who used to hijack threads with his GB's.
He's no longer allowed here but shout out to him.

Side note: Great work on this chopper Sharptonn. I love seeing your work on here (as well as many others)
You are an inspiration to us all.

THIS IS SPARTA

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Been on light-duty lately. Dr sez don't pick-up more than 15 pounds...
This does not weigh that much....CLOSE!

So this has languished in a drawer in it's box for 5 years or so.
Reground somewhere back in the day and falling through the scales.

I like the old reground wedges and really liked the looks of the bevel on this thing, so I began a really sympathetic resto on it. I wanted it to be rough, yet clean and usable.
Finally got it pinned just now. Some cruddy workbench pics....

There was rust, staining and pitting. I got all the rust! Some of the other..
The regrind striations were deep, which was just fine with me.
A pile of 600 and some 800 crocus on the blade.
Some straightening, CA and Epoxy repairs on the scales. One bottom was broken-off.

Straightening the scales with a hot iron kept the blade from falling through.
Saved the iron collars and wedge.

Rough and ready! How I imagined it. Won't stand-up the conventional way, but will upside-down! Attachment 294408

Off to the green hone!

Great save Tom!

Originally Posted by sharptonn

HAR! I coulda put more tape on the spine, Mike!
Your rattler seems to have little wear on it!
It always amazes me at the worn things bringing so much coin.
A good bevel is key....

Seriously, I have a 1 layer rule. I wear-in a layer and then add one. Wear that one in!
Change it, but leave the worn bottom one there. Most I go.

This one is 1 layer honed blade. Changed as-needed.
A bit wide for a newer Solinger, but not so bad for an old Sheffield?
I don't keep records on how many layers of tape.
Always one!

One day I will learn how to do this. One day!

I have had this one For more than 5 years and only shave with it once Every year,
Little to heavy For my liking

Man... I've been after one of those G. B.'s for a long, long time.
They seem to be rarer than winning lottery tickets.

Maybe someday.

Pete <:-}

Actually, they are not all that rare: every few months I see one on sale. They however got hugely expensive nowadays. I believe they were not originally made in great numbers because, let's face it, they are rather uncomfortable to shave with (or to strop for that matter), but as a collection item anything wider than 9/8 became popular and therefore highly (over)priced. Take for example this 10/8 Rodgers selling for almost $1600 right now.

I agree. I do see them every now and again, usually either fully restored or in pretty rough shape.

The problem, like you say, is that you might have to take out a second mortgage on your home to finance one. The prices far exceed a lot of custom built razors.

Pete <:-}

Originally Posted by petercp4e

I agree. I do see them every now and again, usually either fully restored or in pretty rough shape.

The problem, like you say, is that you might have to take out a second mortgage on your home to finance one. The prices far exceed a lot of custom built razors.

Pete <:-}

Yeah, I'd love to have a big beast like that, but I can buy a pile of 7/8" blades for what you would pay for just one of those-I don't want one THAT bad! No kidding, some of my biggest, finest Sheffield blades in the 7/8" to 8/8" size cost me around 20 bucks.

That said, you guys who have lucked onto them-enjoy!