Thread: Sheffield Shavers

Originally Posted by manah

Mappin & Webb.

I am researching a family connection to to Mappin the family. Can't wait to see what I find.

Michael Hunter & Son Sheffield Wedge

F Reynolds in original Ivory
Cleaned up and tried to set the bevel on this old Reynolds without taking it apart.
Bevel got big and ugly in the middle before the ends came in line.
I panicked, sent it off to Phil in Hamilton.
He saved the edge and shared with me that ivory wrapped Reynolds were issued as Military Gifts back in the day and were somewhat rare.
Certainly special to me. Old, kinda of nasty looking, with a chipped scale end, an old wedge, but what an edge it's got now!!

Just happy it's back in action!
Cheers.

Originally Posted by MikeB52

F Reynolds in original Ivory
Cleaned up and tried to set the bevel on this old Reynolds without taking it apart.
Bevel got big and ugly in the middle before the ends came in line.
I panicked, sent it off to Phil in Hamilton.
He saved the edge and shared with me that ivory wrapped Reynolds were issued as Military Gifts back in the day and were somewhat rare.
Certainly special to me. Old, kinda of nasty looking, with a chipped scale end, an old wedge, but what an edge it's got now!!

Just happy it's back in action!
Cheers.

Those scales look like bone to me. I've never seen a set of original ivory scales where the pins had collars. Someone had a ton of patience to hone a razor with a bevel that big.
Military issue with ivory scales?? Maybe for an officer if he paid for his own kit. I would not think any government would spend extra money on an enlisted man. Any proof to back that up?
I'm sure it's a nice shave.

Originally Posted by karlej

Those scales look like bone to me. I've never seen a set of original ivory scales where the pins had collars. Someone had a ton of patience to hone a razor with a bevel that big.
Military issue with ivory scales?? Maybe for an officer if he paid for his own kit. I would not think any government would spend extra money on an enlisted man. Any proof to back that up?
I'm sure it's a nice shave.

No proof on the statements and opinions shared. I was given the info by a straight razor officionado up here while it was in his care. He's a pro so I didn't doubt what I was told. And yes, it was an officer only thing as per what he told me.
Now that I have other pieces of authenticated ivory to lay beside it, it sure looks the same to me. Certainly different then camel bone anyway.
The big bevel, yea, that was me.
New, and not interested in staring down the blade and seeing if there was a warp back then. Starting with only one layer of tape and doing lots else wrong I patiently almost ruined it. Phil, at Classicedge.ca, not only put a great edge on it, but told me why I probably struggled with it and also the history on Reynolds Razors.
So, I believe him, and enjoy the blade. If he was misinformed, or it was reworked, I still enjoy the blade. No plan to sell it, so the info was really just to share.

So here you go Mike. A 7/8 Joseph Rogers & Sons near wedge "Military Razor" with Ivory scales, a lead wedge and the original collarless pins. There is one spot of spider web type light pitting on the show face near the toe but the blade was so pristine I just left it. The back face had numerous spots like that which I removed but the finish came out a perfect match. It has the thinnest of bevels and no hone wear like it was never used. It is one of my favorite shavers.

That is a gorgeous razor Karl.
Tradesies?

Wow. That's a stunner!

Judge Lummus was on record that Reynolds razors were "worthless" http://www.anwealde.com/razors/bothlummus.pdf

Found today...a well used and abused Frederick Reynolds in bovine horn with silver escutcheon and original lead spacer

He is entitled to his wrong opinion.