Thread: The Stub-Tailed Shavers

Originally Posted by TimothyJames

ScienceGuy... If I could get your thought on the Gratian, It shows no signs of ever having been honed at all, as you noted but it has gone through two sets of handles (now # 3 with the Indian buffalo scales I put on). How does a razor wear out or need new scales and never get used? Even more puzzling, the wood scales in the photo above, were made by someone who worked with wood. The wood is pecan and is one piece sawn with a very thin sharp saw. The maker cut the slot then worked the wood down with a spoke shave (you can still see the blade marks where it was shaved down and not carved with a knife). The pivot pin is a section of a square door nail like those used to make cabinet and other light doors, he then peened the ends with no washers. So someone did all this work, or paid someone to do it, and never used the razor for the second set of scales. this seems odd to me.

I wouldn't want to make a call without seeing it in person. I'm sure it's been honed and used quite a bit, just not to the extent that others of the era have been. Scales can break or warp and be replaced without the same kind of wear being evident on the blade.

and bugs get quite a few sets of scales.

That makes sense, I hadn't considered the bugs eating the horn, I have a few that show signs of being eaten on. I don't see any sign of honing though, maybe they taped it......(reference to a different thread on a member asking why we tape now when the olden guys didn't).

The square nail pivot pin surprised me when I took it out. It was evident that the person who put the wood handle on just used stuff he had around and didn't try to reuse the original washers or match the type of pin that came off.

Who got the stub tails that just sold on the bay this evening?

George Palmer, 1820-30, tortoiseshell



George Palmer, 1820-30, pair in ivory and scrimshaw

George Palmer was a cutler to His Majesty's Court. He lived at the prestigious address of Number 1, St. James's Street, London. Although a fine cutler, he is principally known for his fancy boxes, tea caddies and writing slopes. A Palmer box was an expensive item, a receipt shows that in 1814 one of his writing slopes was sold for more than £6 — a small fortune at that time.

I'm not sure about the 1820-30 date on those Palmers. I have a few as well, and especially yours in tortoise has a rather early-looking shape. I think it might be George III rather than George IV. He was definitely active earlier than 1820. In any case, the new one is beautiful.

Originally Posted by ScienceGuy

I'm not sure about the 1820-30 date on those Palmers. I have a few as well, and especially yours in tortoise has a rather early-looking shape. I think it might be George III rather than George IV. He was definitely active earlier than 1820..

My hypothesis on George IV is due to the fact that I have no knowledge of the use of the Royal Warranty before George IV. It is true that the shape of the blades seem older but the punch "G crown R" I do not know if it was ever used during the reign of George III. If you have some more information are very happy to back-date these razors.

Faroh stubtail info? Sorry no pics yet. Got it today and it seems to be in nice condition. I scrubbed it and now it is taking a dip in neats foot oil. Blade is discolored, but not much rust or pitting. It also seems like a full blade not much hone wear. Rivits have a small amount of suface rust and scales look original and really straight and nice only one small chip on one scale.

Seller guessed 1805, I am thinking between 1780-1810. Can't find any info on a Faroh cast steel though. Saw one that was lightly restored, but no info on maker.

Ok adding before pics from the seller.