Thread: Sheffield Steel?

I was reading through some old texts recently and came across an article from the mid eighteen hundreds that talked about Sheffield razor makers and how it was common practice for razor makers on contract to make razors for others in which case they would stamp the purchasing entity's name on the tang.

This article went on to say as such, inferior razors of less than satisfactory quality steel were sold. The article said nomenclature such as "London Made" and "Best Steel" were red flags back then for lesser quality razors. I've never seen a razor stamped "London Made".

Incidentally, Joseph Rodgers Cuterly Works was mentioned in this same article as being set apart from other Sheffield makers in that Joseph Rodgers refused to make razors stamped with any maker mark other than their own.

When I get some time, I'll see about attaching the article section here. It would be in PDF format since I'd have to scan in the doc.

I bring all this up in the very off chance that some of the Sheffield razors that don't take an edge, seem sub par, may be of lesser quality? I'm skeptical, but bring it up anyway. I would not be able to search for that article until next week.

Chris L