Thread: Antique Gartian razor question

Sorry for the long story, but this is my first post and I'd like some input from the SRP family.

Unfortunately for me I don't spend as much time as I'd like on my razor hobby, especially studying up on historical facts regarding obscure antique razors. The other day I got on eBay during lunch and came across this old looking Gratian and thought it was interesting, so like most of my eBay bling I bid on it... roughly the price of a meal at Geronimo's in Santa Fe... and ignored it (It's my psychiatrists idea to help break me of the eBay/SR addiction I regret). Darn if I didn't win the bid and now I am dealing with the detective instinct to find out how old this thing really is and if it is a legitimate Gratian because some day I may want to sell it, but I can't bring myself to scam someone by representing it as an antique from late 1700's to early 1800's when I don't know for sure. The "Gratian" stamp on the tang compares favorably to other photos I have of a much newer looking 1830's Gratian, and the blade style & shape looks similar to mass produced European blade styles of the 1770's I've seen in photos from the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.

A post from "Martin 103" last year about George Washington's Gratian was fascinating. Washington was wealthy and I'm sure he had several razors, and I don't believe in any way it could be one of his, but having this identified as a real Gratian around 200 years old would be nice to know. I know photos have a limited value in really dating this thing; I at least want you to see what I'm talking about.

For all I know a member of SRP listed this razor and knows more. If I'm talking about *you* please send me a private message and we'll chat. Otherwise, I'd like your opinions or advice before I start spending the time and $ to run this to ground with professionals. Hey, no rush here.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. BTW, what's the oldest razor in your pile?

Nice find! I dont see any reason as to why it would not be a real "Gratian" razor, the scales are definately not original but are interesting for sure.
By the way the mark "Gratian" belongs to Jonathan Hall, China Square, Sheffield, England, 1795- 1835 plus or minus a few.
Originally the scales were probably horn with some embelishment of some sort, large domed washers.

Im thinking by the look of the razor this would be an early one for sure. Enjoy!

Interesting on the thought that those are not original scales. They are exactly like mine.

it was very common for the frugal (and they were ALL frugal back then) man to replace broken horn with a piece of straight wood. No shaping it, no giving it a wedge. Just a quick, and functioning handle. They are not original scales, but they might STILL be 180 years old!

What a great Survivor and cool story!! Welcome to SRP!!

Does anyone have advice on honing these old blades? I did mine last night and with the extreme smile it was the hardest hone job I have ever tried. It also had several shallow nicks so I had to remove a little more metal and it really developed a wire edge. I had to strop it on my stickiest strop for 100 or more passes before it slicked up. It really shaved well after all the work though. I felt like I could have done a better job on the hone and saved some time and work.

Originally Posted by TimothyJames

Does anyone have advice on honing these old blades? I did mine last night and with the extreme smile it was the hardest hone job I have ever tried. It also had several shallow nicks so I had to remove a little more metal and it really developed a wire edge. I had to strop it on my stickiest strop for 100 or more passes before it slicked up. It really shaved well after all the work though. I felt like I could have done a better job on the hone and saved some time and work.

Your razor looks difficult to hone. If you are not an experienced honer, and you managed to bring it to shave ready, pat yourself on the back for a job well done.
Tape on the spine for sure, and working with the high and heavy heel is not so straight forward. If you feel it could be better honed, send it to a pro with plenty of experience with this particular style razor.

Well, I did get it to where it shaves really well. I've used curved knives for wood carving for several decades so I have some feel following the bevel around an arc but it is not easy to do. Focus and picking up a patient rhythm. It is hard to tell sometimes if the edge doesn't feel sharp because it isn't or if it has a wire edge. I have some optics to help but I rely on my thumbnail more than anything. I'd be interested in any advice.

Thanks for your ideas.

Wow, it must be fun shaving with a razor that old. I have my grandpa's razor tucked away but never finished getting it shave ready.

Yes Ken, it is neat thinking that this razor may be in it's 3rd century of shaving faces.... Get that old razor you have ready and give it a ride. Band-Aids are cheap and most scars fade with time.

Magpie, I did tape the back during the heavy honing, I used a very thin Teflon coated tape so it did not increase the adhesion to the stone surface. I probably should have left the tape on it throughout because taking it off changed the bevel half way through...Not smart on my part.