Thread: The Stub-Tailed Shavers

Even as a tortoise lover myself (and those tortoise scales are gorgeous), I would keep it as it is currently.

Their original scales are perfect, even the patina is beautiful. IMHO heating such old horn is a risky business (but I am not an expert since I do not do it often).

I also think even as it is, to have to guide it when opening and closing worth it.

Lol, the patina is a coating of neatsfoot oil, but I agree with you 100% about the difficulties of old horn. It’s frequently as flexible as glass.

I do believe though, that in a way, it is not respectful to the maker to allow his creation to become degraded or non functional with age, just because it’s old. Is there any greater tribute to Mr. Shepherd than to enjoy his razor as it was made to be after 233 years? Think about that.

How far to restore is always a ‘balancing act’.

Totally get your point, I did the same with a Wolf a few year back that had a broken set of scales in black horn I could have tried to repair.

Decided to go with a new set in tortoise

Loup tortue - Le loup, la tortue et le toulonnais

In this case I think I would wait for another blade to dress in tortoise, but I also understand your position :-)

Originally Posted by Steve56

Well I’m joining the club. My friend, er, enabler Tom has been getting me interested in the old razors, so I have acquired a Shepherd, not the Crown and Wolf maybe but one of the other two? Any ID help would be very welcome! The metal is in excellent shape, extremely light pitting except where the scales touch the blade, and not bad there. The scales are in good shape but warped, and the blade must be guided in. Fortunately I have a plan B if the horn can’t be straightened, as my pal Scott gifted me some period tortoise scales and I have some domed replica washers on the way.

Very nice, Steve, I would lightly restore the original scales, those stubtails make great shavers, and take a fantastic edge.

Gorgeous razor, Steve.

If you can pin and unpin razors without damaging the collars, or scales, then its a simple procedure that you could do.

First thing....soak the whole razor, while still pinned as is, in neatsfoot oil for a week. (Sandwich size zip lock, enough oil to cover, place in plastic container to catch spills or leakage ). This will take care of brittle scales, and make it easier to disassemble.

Remove from oil, wipe off excess oil, clean up collars and polish, then unpin the scales.

Plug in your clothes iron, set at med/high heat.

Lay your scales on a hard, smooth, flat surface. Flipping the scales, heat both sides till you can barely touch them with your bare hands. At this time they should be soft and flexible, and ready to be sandwiched and let cool.

I've come across a few stubborn ones that required this be repeated, several times. As they would warp a day or two later, before pinning. Getting them extremely hot, is the ticket for those types.

Once flat, again. Clean them up with some 000 or 0000 steel wool, along with the wedge, then give um a polish as well as the collars n blade, and pin it back up.

Give it a skip across the rocks, and enjoy a incredible shave.

Mind your thumb.!

Originally Posted by Thaeris

Totally get your point, I did the same with a Wolf a few year back that had a broken set of scales in black horn I could have tried to repair.

Decided to go with a new set in tortoise

Loup tortue - Le loup, la tortue et le toulonnais

In this case I think I would wait for another blade to dress in tortoise, but I also understand your position :-)

Thank you Thaeris, a generous SRP member with far more experience than I is going to help me out.

BTW, I take French lessons and we use Coupe Choux Club posts as a part of my lessons, my French teacher likes them too. We’ve read your posts before and Sebastien remarked that you were near Paris. I gave him a hone and now he is one of us! I hope that I can get to Paris again but it may be some time.I think. I miss France.

Please stop by if you do :-)

Originally Posted by Thaeris

Please stop by if you do :-)

Thank you sir, I will take you up on that offer!

Here’s a little more info on ‘Shepherd’ sans other marks:

‘Hello, thank you for your enquiry. There is John Shepherd, a cutler, who became a Freeman in 1772, and registered the mark 'SHEPHERD'.’

Regards,
Dr Joan Unwin’

Thanks to Tom rideon66 for this.

She also sent this.

Originally Posted by rideon66

She also sent this.

What beautiful penmanship. It is a pity you'll never see that again.

Bob