Thread: The "Shumate Shaving Society"

[QUOTE=ScarfaceAl;1522827]I'd like to submit my application to join the club. Last week I happened upon an eBay auction for three razors, one of which was a Shumate's Peacemaker that looked to be in good condition. I received it yesterday and it was in better condition than I expected. It looked as though it had never been used, though it already had a pretty sharp edge on it. Despite the sharp edge, I decided to reset the bevel and hone it on lapping paper, then took it for a test shave. It resulted in by far the best shave I've ever had. I'm sold, the Peacemaker now sits atop my meager collection and I may never feel the need to use a different razor again...

I have a Peacemaker but mine has stabilizers on it unlike yours. I like yours a lot. Congrats my friend.

[QUOTE=engine46;1522857]

Originally Posted by ScarfaceAl

I'd like to submit my application to join the club. Last week I happened upon an eBay auction for three razors, one of which was a Shumate's Peacemaker that looked to be in good condition. I received it yesterday and it was in better condition than I expected. It looked as though it had never been used, though it already had a pretty sharp edge on it. Despite the sharp edge, I decided to reset the bevel and hone it on lapping paper, then took it for a test shave. It resulted in by far the best shave I've ever had. I'm sold, the Peacemaker now sits atop my meager collection and I may never feel the need to use a different razor again...

I have a Peacemaker but mine has stabilizers on it unlike yours. I like yours a lot. Congrats my friend.

yeah, I noticed that when digging through the thread yesterday while waiting for mine to arrive. Makes me wonder if the model names were completely arbitrary. I like that it doesn't have the stabilizer, for some reason my blades without them seem to shave better. The only thing I don't like about this razor (which is minor) is that it lacks jimps and there were a couple times during the shave where it was a little difficult to grip. Not a major concern and I'm sure I'll get used to it. Aside from that, I love it.

I'd help Steve, but sadly (from a Texan perspective) mine came from St Louis.
I cannot say enough how much I love the 296. Only came up three times in rotation so far but every shave is wicked smooth. Shot a vid of my first shave with it and 7 days growth were mowed down in under 5 minutes.
The other one I received in that order was an equally untouched peacemaker with round nose. That one's lying in state, untouched or honed until I decide what to do with it.
Really glad I read up on these American classics, and even more excited to have two Nos' in my possession.
Happy hunting. There are other virgins in repose out there. Some gots to be from Austin..
Cheers.

[QUOTE=ScarfaceAl;1522861]

Originally Posted by engine46

yeah, I noticed that when digging through the thread yesterday while waiting for mine to arrive. Makes me wonder if the model names were completely arbitrary. I like that it doesn't have the stabilizer, for some reason my blades without them seem to shave better. The only thing I don't like about this razor (which is minor) is that it lacks jimps and there were a couple times during the shave where it was a little difficult to grip. Not a major concern and I'm sure I'll get used to it. Aside from that, I love it.

I love 'em w/o the stabilizer's. It makes it easier to shave with plus it is easier to hone. On others when you hone one, you get used to it but you have to sometimes keep from touching the stabilizer when honing.

Originally Posted by MikeB52

I'd help Steve, but sadly (from a Texan perspective) mine came from St Louis.
I cannot say enough how much I love the 296. Only came up three times in rotation so far but every shave is wicked smooth. Shot a vid of my first shave with it and 7 days growth were mowed down in under 5 minutes.
The other one I received in that order was an equally untouched peacemaker with round nose. That one's lying in state, untouched or honed until I decide what to do with it.
Really glad I read up on these American classics, and even more excited to have two Nos' in my possession.
Happy hunting. There are other virgins in repose out there. Some gots to be from Austin..
Cheers.

Thanks for the nice words Mike. I'll find another one day, maybe with broken scales because the scales are mint on this one as well. The seller was very nice about it & understanding. As for American classics, I love all mine. I have two mint Genco's, a Cases Aces & an Easy Aces along with some other Genco's. I have some other Shumate's as well & I love my Northfield Cutlery straights & all the rest of my American classics but I do hope to find another Austin, TX gem one day. I'll now proceed to keep this about the Shumate's!

Sadly I have never shaved with a Shumate, though I plan on changing that!
Recently got two Shumates in a Lot. An 850 and an Imp.
The 850 is in bad shape but Ill get it in working order soon enough.
The Imp is in great shape and I was so surprised at how tiny it is! And it is also very stylish with attention to detail in the design. Unfortunately the Sh is missing so it says "umate". Other than this it will not be too hard to get it beautiful and sharp again.
So perhaps I can now say that I am a member of the Shumate Club! Sweet!

In the picture is a Red Imp for size comparison.. This Red Imp is scheduled for restoration.

Hey all just litterally joined SRP. Ive been lerking around for about 8 or 9 months now. Just had to get on SSS and say you all are awesome. I made my first razor purchace today by luck and happened to pick up a shumate deluxe with a horrible scale. Lots of rust and already trying to restore will post pix as soon as i have her clean enough to show off. Then she will be off for a good hone

I picked up a Shumate Cutlery Corp. St. Louis a couple of days ago and can't figure out the material that the scales are made of....

The razor is from 1920 - 1932, a named Shumate (West Point). It has scales similar to many of the photos I see in this forum: flat, flexible, translucent. Mine are dark blue translucent. Not Bakelite. I don't think they are acrylic as that stuff wasn't around at the time to my knowledge. The period would indicate that these are most likely celluloid, but I cannot get a smell to rise from these scales at all. Are these scales celluloid or was there some other material in common use? Thanks...guys.

I picked up a couple of Shumates & the seller said they were his grandfather's. I messaged him & told him he should try using a straight razor & also mentioned how much better they are than cartridge type. He replied that he wasn't interested now so I bid & won it all for $20.50. It was a shaving bag, a small mirror & 2 Shumates, one with translucent scales. One of them is a Shumate Tungsteel with a nice smile.

When I got it.


After a little cleaning.......

Here's my Shumate Trusty I got awhile back. I love it because it has a French tip. Also when you move the scales, they change colors slightly. I have to sell things on the bay to get the things I want but at least I acquired a lot of things over the years when I was working steadily which I have been slowly selling off so I can get money. The last straight I bought new for a retail price was my 2nd Waterhouse in October 2014 which is when my money got short but that is irrelevant to this thread.
I'm surviving............me & my dog which is the main thing.

Hey Engine46, do you know what material these scales are made of? Are they celluloid?