Thread: Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co. from antique store

Hey everyone,

I picked up this razor a while back (3 months or so) and did a little work on it to clean it up. The tang reads, "H.S.B & Co. / Rev-O-Noc" on the other side, "Hibbard Spencer Bartlett & Co - Made in Germany". After doing a little research to try to date my new toy, I am estimating the razor to have been made between 1902-1932. The Rev-O-Noc brand introduced in 1902 according to a .pdf document I came across and the same .pdf said that True Value brand bought HSB in 1932, so I would figure that the brand HSB&Co would no longer be marketed as such. I'm not an expert but I just wanted to ball-park my razors age. The .pdf can be found at http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...-any-info.html part way down the page.

I'm planning on taking it apart completely and putting a little more work in when I'm home for either Thanksgiving break or Christmas break from school (and make new scales). Anyway, here is what I have completed up to now. It wasn't in all that bad of condition either, just needed some sanding, micromesh, polishing, and an appointment with the hones. I wanted to get a razor that I could get a feel for honing with, so that's what I did. It doesn't shave too bad either, at least I think, especially for being my first hone-job. Of course it's nowhere nearly as sharp as the DOVO I purchased from SRD (honed by Lynn). But I got it to get a feel for honing and to use a "not-as-nice" razor to learn before I ever attempted to take the DOVO to the hones. After a few shaves I was confident I could get a better edge and I did after using a few passes with only the pressure from the blades weight. Needless to say, I'm happy with my progress so far. Maybe looking into getting some more sharpening accessories in the future!


Before.....





After...

Came out really nice! Not sure i would re-scale this razor, they look in good shape. Definately a good razor to practice honing! Enjoy!

Thank you! The scales themselves aren't in bad condition at all, they just smell like the inside of a cows backside!! I have no idea why either, I'm guessing they are some kind of "natural" scales. At least that's all I can come up with. Maybe I'll just take them apart clean them up real good and put them back together.

Looks good. Enjoy the project!