Thread: The FrameBack Fanciers

Mauguin c.1810-20
french cutler active in the years 1805-1820 as registered in the Almanach de Paris, at 82 rue Montmartre, Passage du Saumon

ivory scales with rosettes en argent

The Passage du Saumon in that epoch

That looks like barbers mark. What is the word on the tang? In theory they do come out but I would not try. You could save the scales but thats a lot of epoxy and time. I would clean the blade up and make a set of scales from black horn using the old scales as a template. other then the scales its in nice shape.

Originally Posted by xiaotuzi

Holy moly what a bunch of cool razors in this club! Hopefully I can make a humble contribution with this razor that I've had kicking around for a while. I'd really appreciate any info, this is my only real frame back. I think it's a John Barber by the symbol and someone scratched "John Barber" in the scales but can that be confirmed? Were other makers using the mark? Also, does the blade come out and if so, how and should it be taken out from time to time for cleaning, etc.? I'd like to use this someday but as you can see the scales are crumbling. What would you guys do with this?
Attachment 239782Attachment 239783

To answer my own question it says patent amazing what glasses will do. lol. I have a Brammer Persepolis that is almost a dead ringer. I will post a pic later. That barber is a very early frameback. Nice razor.

Originally Posted by Hacker7

That looks like barbers mark. What is the word on the tang? In theory they do come out but I would not try. You could save the scales but thats a lot of epoxy and time. I would clean the blade up and make a set of scales from black horn using the old scales as a template. other then the scales its in nice shape.

Thanks, yeah I'm glad to hear it's a John Barber. It says "patent". I'm going to go ahead and make new scales for it using the old ones as a template like you said. It's not doing anyone any good the way it sits now. I'll check back in with updates on the progress.

It is possible you might have a fake. Looking in my Tweedales Directory of Sheffield Cutlery Manufacturers, it says Barber had his own mark which was his name "JOHN BARBER above the square & compass. Apparently someone had been making counterfeit's & Barber made sure every razor passed through his hands before receiving the mark. I have never seen one w/o his name like that. I could be wrong. Hone it up & see how it does.

Originally Posted by engine46

It is possible you might have a fake. Looking in my Tweedales Directory of Sheffield Cutlery Manufacturers, it says Barber had his own mark which was his name "JOHN BARBER above the square & compass. Apparently someone had been making counterfeit's & Barber made sure every razor passed through his hands before receiving the mark. I have never seen one w/o his name like that. I could be wrong. Hone it up & see how it does.

Well that certainly adds to the mystery. Around what year would you say this had been going on? Fascinating stuff... has anyone else seen the square & compass mark on a razor without the name?

I remember reading a post o n the trade mark it was used by a couple of makers IIRC. I will search square and compass and see what comes up. It's almost identical to my Brammer which I believe is 1840 ish.but I am just speculating. We need our resident experts scienceguy and voidmonster.

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Originally Posted by xiaotuzi

Well that certainly adds to the mystery. Around what year would you say this had been going on? Fascinating stuff... has anyone else seen the square & compass mark on a razor without the name?

I'm not trying to burst your bubble or anything like that. Here's a little about what i said but there's more to him. More of it is when it was with his son & so on.

I may have one too. If I remember right, I have a J Barber w/o the compass & square.

Thanks so much for taking the time to help me get closer to figuring this out. I'm really glad to have joined SRP recently. The folks around here are the best - the knowledge, resources, help and support can't be beat! Very much appreciated. I will stay tuned to see if anything else turns up on the compass & square.