8/8 WM. Hargreaves & Co. 'Senator's Razor' Original restore

Hi guys!

Have just finished putting this one back together and thought it was worth a share. Its an 8/8 WM. Hargreaves & Co. shoulderless wedge that wears its original horn scales.

Kept things pretty minimal with this one, I chose to sand and polish only the spine and tang to preseve a bit of history on the blades 'faces' and of course retain the interesting etch. This blade displays the text 'United States Senators Razor - Patent Concave' - the only one I have seen (online) to make such a claim. The scales were cracked through the wedge pin on the pile side, so prior to oiling and sanding the scales I attempted to bleed in some CA in order to stabilze the crack. Worked fantastically - before I repinned it all I had all but eliminated its apperance completely. Sadly however after pinning everything back together, the crack reopened after just a few rotations of the blade - I guess all the flex forces that caused the crack originally came right back. For now I will live with it, but will keep a close eye on it to make sure it doesn't spread.

The spine is hugely thick - equally as thick as my vintage 10/8 JR.

Restored the original coffin too - I 'paper mache-d' some new ends in (they were missing), repainted it black and gave it a few coats of watery PVA in order to strengthen and seal it for a few hundered more years.

Anyway I will be honing this beauty soon, the bevel is absolutely tiny for such a big solid razor!

Thanks for looking.

http://i861.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/DSCF9275.jpg
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http://i861.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/DSCF9269.jpg
http://i861.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/DSCF9268.jpg

http://i861.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/DSCF9294.jpg
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Good work! Guaranteed to relieve the taxpayer of his $$$ in any dark alley!
When do you suppose it was manufactured?

Very nice blade:)

Thanks guys :). Can't see Hargreaves on my usual razor manufacturers' link - anyone know their dates of operation? Someone turn on the Manah-man signal!

Manah to the white courtesy phone, please!

SRP Wiki lists it as 1880-1890. And also 1866-1920. Looks like different companies, though. I'd go with the former over the latter as a pic was provided that very nearly matched the style of your blade.

That Hargreaves, Smith and co. blade right? I'm guessing a Hargreaves 'Pre-Smith' must be older still? Just seen this in an old thread - From Goins Encyclopedia of Cutlery Markings: "Hargreaves Smith & Co. Sheffield c1866-1920. 28 Eyre Lane, Sheffield England."

Quote:

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Originally Posted by EisenFaust

That Hargreaves, Smith and co. blade right? I'm guessing a Hargreaves 'Pre-Smith' must be older still? Just seen this in an old thread - From Goins Encyclopedia of Cutlery Markings: "Hargreaves Smith & Co. Sheffield c1866-1920. 28 Eyre Lane, Sheffield England."

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I tracked it down through the Library function on the tool bar. I went to "Razors" then "Categories" and found 2 entries for Hargreaves. The entry entitled "Hargreaves...Imperial" is the one I cited for the 1880-1890 date. Just wanted to try and clarify this for all of us. I'm sure Manah could probably recall from rote the correct dates for this razor -- from what I've read from and about him, he's the MAN!

Very nicely done Sir, specially that you also took the effort to save the coffin :tu

I find myself liking original restores more and more each day, it's a whole different feel of accomplishment to put a razor back to it's former glory, or at least as close as possible :)

The business was founded by William Hargreaves (c.1804-1874), who was the son of William Hargreaves of Colley & Hargreaves. By 1837, William and Lydia Hargreaves (his sister) were listed in Eyre Lane as a merchant and table knife manufacturer. After the 1850s, William Hargreaves & Co also acted as agents for Swedish iron. At the Great Exhibition in 1851, the firm displayed a fine assortment of table, carving, and bread knives. The firm also exhibited at the New York Exhibition in 1853.
In 1859, the firm was restyled as Hargreaves, Smith & Co. Charles Edward Smith, living at Fir Vale, Pitsmoor, was the new partner.
So. The razor was made before 1859.
According the razor size and the general form of the razor, I think, it was made in the 1850s.

Thanks Manah! Your knowledge never fails to disappoint. I wonder if it was styled as the 'United States Senators Razor' for the New York expo? Guess we'll never know ;)

Nicely done. Looks good. I like that you used the original bits. Well done.

Stu

Quote:

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Originally Posted by manah

The business was founded by William Hargreaves (c.1804-1874), who was the son of William Hargreaves of Colley & Hargreaves. By 1837, William and Lydia Hargreaves (his sister) were listed in Eyre Lane as a merchant and table knife manufacturer. After the 1850s, William Hargreaves & Co also acted as agents for Swedish iron. At the Great Exhibition in 1851, the firm displayed a fine assortment of table, carving, and bread knives. The firm also exhibited at the New York Exhibition in 1853.
In 1859, the firm was restyled as Hargreaves, Smith & Co. Charles Edward Smith, living at Fir Vale, Pitsmoor, was the new partner.
So. The razor was made before 1859.
According the razor size and the general form of the razor, I think, it was made in the 1850s.

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SEE! I told you he'd know it off the top of his head!
THANKS, MANAH!!

Thats amazing! That is such a cool razor!