Thread: The Butcher Shop

The reason to manufacture framebacks was simple - money. The spine was made from a cheap steel, and an edge from expensive steel. Faux framebacks were made, because it was fashionable, and change of the form of an edge gave other sensations.

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

I can't say for sure why they were made, but a frameback like the one you just posted would allow for a normal honing angle without having to hollow the blade. So I'm guessing it would save the company on skilled grinders

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

Another advantage could be that the thinness of the blade allows the razor to somewhat mimic a hollow ground razor, so it is lighter for the shave and easier to maintain sharpness

If I am not mistaken, the full hollow grinding innovation became widespread in Germany before it did in England. In fact I had a faux frameback Sheffield razor that was marked "A superior grind to the German hollow". So it appeared to me that the razor was possibly an attempt to remain competitive with the German hollow without having to actually employ the skilled labor required to produce it

Very interesting.. Especially the part about "..full hollow grinding innovation became widespread in Germany before it did in England". About what time was this? It could help establish what time these razors were made right? At least an approximate time of manufacture.. I tried to check the trademark stamps but couldn't find an exact source of what kind of stamp was used at what time. I wish I had the Lummus articles

Originally Posted by MisterA

Very interesting.. Especially the part about "..full hollow grinding innovation became widespread in Germany before it did in England". About what time was this? It could help establish what time these razors were made right?

Probably not; other indicators are more accurate than anecdote for determining age. I just wanted to give a curious example of one razor from my own experience. It simply made me wonder if the faux frameback style was genuinely used by that particular company as a countermeasure to the growing popularity of hollow ground blades that others were putting out

They were popular in the mid 1800's and for about 40 years from what I've read. True also that cheaper metal was used for the spine even brass was used on some. The Swedish also made them as did the French. In fact the French really got on the bandwagon making true framebacks you could remove the blade on. I have several that use a lever to release the blade and some had a screw at the front to release the blade. I was just honing an English faux frameback from about 1880's or so and it is all one piece.
The popularity of these died off after the turn of the century.

I want learn more of W&B. Years of production, models, the factory etc. It´s hard to find on the Intenet. Most of the data is here at SRP.
Can I find a good site that handles most of W&B?

You're right, most of the data about W & B is here at SRP. May be, you didn't see the info in our WIKI. There you can find some info and important links.
And here a page from old catalog with W & B razors.

Thanks Alex for the links.

Here is my entry to the club.


6/8 Barber's Notch

Celebrated Fine India Steel

Damn near wedge

Perfect Ivory scales

Damn lousy photography...sorry

Originally Posted by Scipio

Here is my entry to the club.


6/8 Barber's Notch

Celebrated Fine India Steel

Damn near wedge

Perfect Ivory scales

Damn lousy photography...sorry

Beautiful!! I love the look of ivory, especially on a W&B.

Not sure if there are any of these in here yet...