Wrapped in newspaper from 1933

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08-22-2016, 08:56 PM
xiaotuzi

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Wrapped in newspaper from 1933

Today I visited a gentleman in the Lakes Region of NH who goes to a lot of auctions and estate sales. I came away with some items he recently found wrapped in a New Hampshire newspaper from 1933. Inside was a fabric roll containing a Marshes & Shepherd razor, a coticule, and another hone with a rubbing stone that I am unfamiliar with. If anyone would care to venture a guess... It's greyish, very smooth, and still coated with dried slurry that is nearly white. It's 8.25 inches long and 1.75 inches wide. I have not cleaned it up yet. I took a chance on it given the date and location of the newspaper, the items that were found with it, and the nice feel of it.
08-22-2016, 09:37 PM
mikael86

Quote:

Originally Posted by xiaotuzi

Today I visited a gentleman in the Lakes Region of NH who goes to a lot of auctions and estate sales. I came away with some items he recently found wrapped in a New Hampshire newspaper from 1933. Inside was a fabric roll containing a Marshes & Shepherd razor, a coticule, and another hone with a rubbing stone that I am unfamiliar with. If anyone would care to venture a guess... It's greyish, very smooth, and still coated with dried slurry that is nearly white. It's 8.25 inches long and 1.75 inches wide. I have not cleaned it up yet. I took a chance on it given the date and location of the newspaper, the items that were found with it, and the nice feel of it.

Based on the way the slate has been cut I would guess that it's an escher. As in a slate hone from thuringia in Germany.
08-22-2016, 10:00 PM
HARRYWALLY

Oh boy, very cool!!!

The straight razor looks like it's toast, unless it's one of those crazy ones that Zak posted a while ago where they're actually ground that way, but I'd say it's not.

Coticule looks very nice and the other looks very promising. If I had to venture a guess, I'd say it's a Thuringian. Very possible that it's an Escher, but without labels it's hard to say. Clean it up, lap it flat and report back with some pics of it all cleaned up. My bet is that it'll leave a very nice finished edge.
08-22-2016, 10:16 PM
Utopian

Absent a label, it is not an Escher, but it is highly likely to be a Thuringian.

Yes, the razor has slight toe wear, but hone it up and see how it does! If it were mine, I would not consider honing it on anything but those hones.

If you don't want to use the razor, you could put it in a display case with that newspaper backing it.
08-22-2016, 10:19 PM
JimmyHAD

Quote:

Originally Posted by xiaotuzi

It's 8.25 inches long and 1.75 inches wide.

How thick ? Does look like an Escher, but thicker than most I've seen I think. IIRC Geezer has one (with the label) that is thick like that. Of course we'll never know for sure, but if not an Escher, it certainly looks to be a Thuringan. Congrats on a great score one way or the other.
08-22-2016, 10:24 PM
Wirm

The razor is unique . You should keep it. :idea: The hones are obviously inferior and may be toxic,you should send them to me for proper disposal.
08-22-2016, 10:29 PM
lz6

That is just a very cool find! Congrats.
08-22-2016, 10:34 PM
Geezer

You done good! Try the hones with the razor. A good sign that they were together!
~Richard
08-22-2016, 10:48 PM
xiaotuzi

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

How thick ? Does look like an Escher, but thicker than most I've seen I think. IIRC Geezer has one (with the label) that is thick like that. Of course we'll never know for sure, but if not an Escher, it certainly looks to be a Thuringan. Congrats on a great score one way or the other.

Thanks, yeah it's about 7/8 of an inch thick.
08-22-2016, 11:15 PM
Whizbang

Neat...a SR time capsule.
08-22-2016, 11:21 PM
aalbina

Very cool! Looks like a nice stone - give it a try and see how it does. Nice find!

Adam
08-22-2016, 11:31 PM
JoeSomebody

What a great idea, if the razor doesn't work out you could frame it with the newspaper. Great story and Congrats!
08-22-2016, 11:41 PM
Martin103

A sweet find for sure! I would say a Thuri as well, but that coticule looks really good to, at this point in time a coticule cost more then Escher, and synthetics like Swaty's even more, not the same story today.
08-22-2016, 11:45 PM
Phrank

Quote:

Originally Posted by HARRYWALLY

Oh boy, very cool!!!

The straight razor looks like it's toast, unless it's one of those crazy ones that Zak posted a while ago where they're actually ground that way, but I'd say it's not.

Coticule looks very nice and the other looks very promising. If I had to venture a guess, I'd say it's a Thuringian. Very possible that it's an Escher, but without labels it's hard to say. Clean it up, lap it flat and report back with some pics of it all cleaned up. My bet is that it'll leave a very nice finished edge.

That is exactly what went through my mind as my eyes went directly from the dirty piece of rock to what looks like a beautiful, thumb notched Wade and Butcher...that belongs in Phranky's Razor Chest.....:)

xiaotuzi - PM me and I'll send you my address.....:-)
08-22-2016, 11:47 PM
Ernie1980

What a find! are there any neat articles in that newspaper?
08-23-2016, 12:09 AM
HARRYWALLY

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phrank

That is exactly what went through my mind as my eyes went directly from the dirty piece of rock to what looks like a beautiful, thumb notched Wade and Butcher...that belongs in Phranky's Razor Chest.....:)

xiaotuzi - PM me and I'll send you my address.....:-)

Ya Andrew, it very well could be one of these guys.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/show-...ed-blades.html

Sure looks a lot like them.

xiaotuzi, would it be possible to take some closer, clearer photos of just the blade? Might give a better idea to the pros.
08-23-2016, 12:16 AM
TrilliumLT

Yup i would agree thats a tappered blade, the hone wear is even along the spine. Stone looks like a thuri to me
08-23-2016, 12:28 AM
xiaotuzi

8 Attachment(s)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ernie1980

What a find! are there any neat articles in that newspaper?

Thanks everyone for the shared enthusiasm! I was thrilled to find this and very pleased to hear your knowledge and cool suggestions. Thanks!:rock: Here are some pictures of the newspaper, I like the sports section and the add for tailored suits. Every time I touch the paper more pieces break off. Also is a better picture of the razor and the coti.
08-23-2016, 12:31 AM
HARRYWALLY

Yessir Colin, it's a tapered blade. Very nice!
08-23-2016, 12:35 AM
xiaotuzi

3 Attachment(s)

Quote:

Originally Posted by HARRYWALLY

Ya Andrew, it very well could be one of these guys.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/show-...ed-blades.html

Sure looks a lot like them.

xiaotuzi, would it be possible to take some closer, clearer photos of just the blade? Might give a better idea to the pros.

Here's closer of the blade. Yeah it looks a lot like the tapered ones
Attachment 243852 Attachment 243853 Attachment 243854
08-23-2016, 12:41 AM
Mrchick

Beautiful find!
08-23-2016, 12:54 AM
MikeB52

Congrats, that is a unique find for sure. Well worth the hunt.
08-23-2016, 01:15 AM
ScoutHikerDad

Nice find-I would want to get right on lapping that hone down to see what you've got!
08-23-2016, 01:32 AM
JimmyHAD

1 Attachment(s)

Quote:

Originally Posted by xiaotuzi

Thanks, yeah it's about 7/8 of an inch thick.

TBH that is about right for an Escher. Not all, but some, have diagonal saw cut marks on the sides. All these are labelled Eschers, so you can get an idea of what to look for.

Attachment 243863
08-23-2016, 01:39 AM
HARRYWALLY

Sure seems like there's remnants of a paper label on the end of the hone if you look in the OP.
08-23-2016, 01:52 AM
xiaotuzi

4 Attachment(s)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

TBH that is about right for an Escher. Not all, but some, have diagonal saw cut marks on the sides. All these are labelled Eschers, so you can get an idea of what to look for.

Attachment 243863

OK cleaned up the sides a little, they were really caked with slurry crud. There are some diagonals on the sides and also diagonals present on the rubbing stone
Attachment 243864 Attachment 243865 Attachment 243866 Attachment 243867
08-23-2016, 02:18 AM
JimmyHAD

Yeah, I'd say you hit paydirt (old gold mining expression)
08-23-2016, 02:29 AM
sharptonn

The best items I have bought are from Upper East Coast! Things from New York, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Massachusetts.
Old attics up there. Has to dry up, I expect. Folks saved stuff up there, back in the day.

A fine friend of mine (Tarkus) in Philly discovered an Escher and several others in the back of a shop he had bought and generously gifted me a few, one being the Escher. Stuff like that does not just lie around down in Houston. They send everything to the dump, usually.
08-23-2016, 02:52 AM
xiaotuzi

Quote:

Originally Posted by sharptonn

The best items I have bought are from Upper East Coast! Things from New York, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Massachusetts.
Old attics up there. Has to dry up, I expect. Folks saved stuff up there, back in the day.

A fine friend of mine (Tarkus) in Philly discovered an Escher and several others in the back of a shop he had bought and generously gifted me a few, one being the Escher. Stuff like that does not just lie around down in Houston. They send everything to the dump, usually.

Yeah it seems there's a lot to be found in New England! New Hampshire has a healthy and competitive antiques environment which I suspect is fueled by tourism (the mountains, lakes, fall colors) and the relative availability of inventory. It helps to get to know people and check in with them from time to time. Good folks, fun people, interesting stories go with it.
08-23-2016, 10:34 PM
Hacker7

Very nice find. Let us know how that hone performs. Congratulations.
08-24-2016, 04:39 PM
xiaotuzi

8 Attachment(s)

I just wanted to add pictures of the hone in good sunlight now that I have it cleaned up and lapped. I hope the color shows well in the pictures, I tried to show dry, wet, sides and bottom. I'm going to try it out soon and I'll let you guys know how it goes! Again, thanks for sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm. Very few people in my real life "get" it!
08-24-2016, 06:15 PM
wxc1006

Quote:

Originally Posted by xiaotuzi

Again, thanks for sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm. Very few people in my real life "get" it!

Oh this group definitely gets it. Very cool find and congrats!
08-25-2016, 02:44 AM
ejmolitor37

Those are super cool finds congrats all around. Some guys have all the luck. My wife and family think I am nuts when I talk about shaving or related items, we are here for you :D
08-28-2016, 12:34 AM
xiaotuzi

3 Attachment(s)

The hones are all cleaned and lapped, the razor is cleaned and has new scales, and I finally had a chance to try everything out. I wanted this razor to be the first one on these hones as it is likely it was the last on these hones so many years ago. I set the bevel on a 1000 grit hone and used only this coticule and grey hone after that. I'm continuing (and probably always will be) to learn coticule honing so this was excellent practice and I surprised myself with the results! I used slurry then progressively watered it down as I went. After the coticule I did about 20 laps with light slurry on the grey. The shave was close and had, on most strokes, that feeling like the edge was wrapped in a thin soft bubble, if that makes any sense. Terrifically comfortable but room for improvement as I learn these hones better, more studying and practice to do!

I should also mention that while cleaning up these items, handling the newspaper and cloth (that appears to have been a pant leg at one point), I found myself wondering about the man who owned and used these thing before. I don't know but cleaning them up and putting them back to use somehow fulfilled something that I thought was maybe owed to the man, crazy as it sounds. Anyway, I plan to keep these items together, use and enjoy them, and preserve them for the next guy.

Attachment 244273 Attachment 244274 Attachment 244275
08-28-2016, 12:47 AM
Martin103

Quote:

Originally Posted by xiaotuzi

I don't know but cleaning them up and putting them back to use somehow fulfilled something that I thought was maybe owed to the man, crazy as it sounds. Anyway, I plan to keep these items together, use and enjoy them, and preserve them for the next guy.

Doesn't sound crazy at all to me, feels rewarding to bring back an old tools and actually use it. the original owner certainly had the right hones to keep his razor going, Enjoy!
08-28-2016, 03:36 AM
kelbro

Good on you. Nice work. Carrying on a tradition that was time-capsuled for a while.
09-03-2016, 12:40 AM
supersets

Great find! These vintage items sure has historical significance attached to it. Makes the find more memorable. I envy you. Guess I'd better start hitting the estate sales and antique stores, too.