Very nice set there! Yeah I've been shaving with them since and they're a dream. And you're right about the style - superb.Quote:
Originally Posted by Geezer
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Very nice set there! Yeah I've been shaving with them since and they're a dream. And you're right about the style - superb.Quote:
Originally Posted by Geezer
Last arrival :
http://i56.servimg.com/u/f56/13/33/95/13/captu104.jpg
http://i56.servimg.com/u/f56/13/33/95/13/captu106.jpg
M. Kindal, n°30. Love those swedish blades...
Need more pics please:)Quote:
Originally Posted by Thaeris
I'll post some more after cleaning the blades :)
I posted more pictures here : http://straightrazorpalace.com/show-...ml#post1223461
And here : http://straightrazorpalace.com/shave...r-09th-11.html
:)
to celebrate my birthday :nj :beer1: :y
Couple of anonymous Sheffield in silversteel (around 1850)
Attachment 148870 Attachment 148869
I just got this today and I didn't get a chance to clean it up before the sun went down and ended the good pictures.
http://theshiveringbeggar.com/wp-con...6-440x1024.jpg
http://theshiveringbeggar.com/wp-con...12/DSC0357.jpg
The box is mahogany, the escutcheon plate on the front appears to be 14k gold(!).
http://theshiveringbeggar.com/wp-con...12/DSC0359.jpg
Though the parts are mismatched, they all appear to have been made around 1810 (though at some point the mirror was re-silvered).
There's a slot in the pivoting lid for a small travel strop.
This was an officer's field kit for shaving during the Napoleonic wars.
http://theshiveringbeggar.com/wp-con...12/DSC0360.jpg
You can't easily make it out in that picture, but both razors are stamped 'Au Singe Violet' -- The Purple Monkey. That was the name of the shop owned and operated by Martin-Guillaume Biennais. He was Napoleon's court goldsmith.
http://theshiveringbeggar.com/wp-con...12/DSC0363.jpg
The scales are ivory and all the hardware on them is silver. Even the pin holding in the wedge. (The pivot pin is steel though).
One of the razors has a broken and repaired scale.
http://theshiveringbeggar.com/wp-con...12/DSC0362.jpg
However, most importantly, tomorrow I will shave with one of them.
http://theshiveringbeggar.com/wp-con...12/DSC0365.jpg
And I also got a fancy 7-day set from 1805 today, but this one is neater.
AWESOME :dropjaw:
Couple of French: Fontenille 134 with their box. 11/16", handle and tang in ivory (and sweets like the best Sheffields in silversteel)
Attachment 149657
seven day french set of an anonymous cutler
c.1810-20, 9/16", scales in ivory, box in acajou with inlay
http://img95.xooimage.com/files/7/4/...01-42d27c3.jpg
http://img99.xooimage.com/files/d/a/...02-42d27d2.jpg
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http://img99.xooimage.com/files/7/7/...04-42d27ee.jpg
http://img95.xooimage.com/files/0/6/...05-42d27fe.jpg
I mentioned earlier that I'd also gotten an 1805 set. Today, for want of something fresh to shave with, I cleaned up the Monday blade and honed it. Seemed like a good time to get pictures.
http://theshiveringbeggar.com/wp-con...01/DSC0471.jpg
The box is larger than my Rodgers set, but still pretty small. The top is decorated with tooled Morocco leather. It's got brass hinges and ornate little hook & eye clasps to hold it shut. The sides are a less vivid red than the top.
But check out the tooling on the leather.
http://theshiveringbeggar.com/wp-con...01/DSC0479.jpg
The box definitely shows signs of being north of 200 years old, thankfully, the razors are a bit less weathered.
http://theshiveringbeggar.com/wp-con...01/DSC0472.jpg
I'd be happier if Tuesday weren't missing, since the chances of me ever finding a replacement are basically nil, but what I've got here is plenty awesome.
The set was made around 1805 by M. Bataille, a surgical instruments manufacturer in Bordeaux. In 1806 he won a silver medal at the Paris Exposition for his fine lithotomy catheter (yeah, I think I'll pass on restoring and using one of those), but he also exhibited this set of razors, which were described as being made with great care. I'll agree to that.
http://theshiveringbeggar.com/wp-con...01/DSC0480.jpg
http://theshiveringbeggar.com/wp-con...01/DSC0473.jpg
(You can see bigger versions of all these pictures by right-clicking them and choosing 'view image')
I doofused a bit when I did the first pass of cleaning and reassembled the half-scales backwards. These were designed exactly the opposite of all the other gunstock scales I'd seen, and I was already at a disadvantage because I don't have any nickel-silver rod in the oddball size this used. I'll probably drill out the pins at some point and assemble it the right way, but it's not any big deal as it stands. It just means the handle doesn't fit quite as nicely back into its formed resting spot.
The interchangeable blades snap in very similar to the early 1820's Sheffield models, except Bataille designed the hollow tang with filed jimps, jimps that continue on to each blade and are cut across the spring-steel that locks the blades in place. I was pretty pleasantly surprised at how little rust there was inside the mechanism. That'd be super easy to get full of water, rust, and push it all apart. The blades fit in just a little bit loose, but they're comfortable to hone and strop.
http://theshiveringbeggar.com/wp-con...01/DSC0475.jpg
(you can see the spring-steel middle of the tang, which is the part that snaps and holds the blades into place)
http://theshiveringbeggar.com/wp-con...01/DSC0477.jpg
Down in there where the blades rest, the box has felt pads glued onto angled rests so that the blades don't touch the bottom (though clearly that doesn't prevent the bottom from getting cut up, but those cuts happened long, long ago).
There you can see the locking barb on all the blades. The mechanism is incredibly simple. A spring-arm on the bottom of the tang pushes up. The rounded end of the flange pushes that down as you slide the blade in, then a keyed notch at the top locks it into place. To take the blade out again, you push down on the spring arm so that the notch comes out of the cut on the top, then just pull the blade out. It sounds much more complicated than it is.
At some point I'll clean it all up a bit better and replace the missing felt inside the box, but today I'll shave with Monday. I'm not very picky about matching my days of the week.
(EDITED SEROUS SWEAR WORD TO DENOTE AMAZEMENT) Unbelievable Zak! Simply incredible...
WP34
This set is wonderful http://illiweb.com/fa/i/smiles/drunken_smilie.png
WOW, what a fantastic collection of razor sets.
I have been looking at some sets on The Bay, but none were as good looking as the ones in this thread.
Some day gentlemen.
Some day...
Hey guys
I have a question that is slightly off topic, but I don't think there is a better place to ask it than right here. I have a Thomas Turner Encore 4 razor set box with 1 of the original razors that is an A. & N. C.S.L. razor with ivory scales. It is probably in the 1875 - 1880 time frame. The box is in decent structural condition with a couple of small pieces of wood missing. Then again, I guess all the wood in these boxes could be considered small pieces. I believe it was covered with a thin black leather since there are significant pieces of that left on it. I am trying to restore the box. The inside is a little dirty, but in decent condition.
Do any of you know what type of wood was used to make these boxes and what type of leather they used to cover them? I would like to keep true to type so that it is a restoration and not just a repair. After looking at all the incredible sets here it appears to me that many of the boxes were made by the same manufacturer even though the razors were made by different brands. I'd hate to see the old box fall apart after surviving this long.
From my limited experience with Presentation boxes, I offer this:
Often the wood was deal ( Pine) or Oak, and the covering was galuchat or shagreen, Donkey Hide
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shagreen
Some vintage bill folds, purses, and checkbooks have a super thin leather which is close to the original.
There are some old printing shops which still have manual gold leaf hot stamping presses and the fancy type and border fonts to go with them.
Added: Book re-binders may have all that is needed also.
Hope that may help. I have a pair: VR Diamond Jubilee etching but they are in a double coffin.
Good luck and thanks for wanting to do it correctly.
~Richard
Thanks a bunch Geezer, this is very helpful.
Hello !
A member of ours (french community of the Coupe-choux club), working at Vuitton, told us that the best wood for this kind of work is "poplar" (peuplier, populus). But I guess it depends of the general look of your box, type of wook previously used, if it's gonna be visible or not...
He made himself a set, and posted a WIP with few pictures here : Fabrication d'une malle WE
I'm sure you could also ask him if you have questions. :)
Thank you Thaeris,
I had not thought of poplar. I will look into that and see if it could have been made from it. Because poplar and pine are both light weight and light colored it could be difficult to tell them apart in a box that is about 135 years old. I actually have a poplar board that has been aging in my garage for about 15 years since I decided not to use it for a project I had in mind at the time. It would work out well if it is the right wood.
I will check out the link you gave me and see what he has to say too.
Thanks again
Jeff
Added info:Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffHarp
Poplar is an easily worked and very stable wood. Gets my vote.
I checked and The set I have has a pasted fine cloth surface rather than the usual leather.
A book re-binder may also have the thin leather for binding books which would be a plus.
What ever you do have fun!
~Richard
PS the link above starts getting to production of the box about page 5 and later. Nice job, also.
Poplar would be my choice also,very easy to work,very soft yet stable.
Is an interesting wood,Is one of the few softwoods that is classified as a hardwood because the tree is deciduous,(drops leaves in the fall)
Can be stained to look like walnet, can be ebonized to look jet black like real ebony.
And it is real inexepensive
Thanks Guys,
I knew this was the right place to ask the question.
Sorry to take so long to reply, but my internet went down last night. I wasn't able to get back on until this morning.
Finally, after one month of trip (for guilt of the Christmas, the Day of the Year and Epiphany...) - and a lot of my worry - has arrived of England this weekly set Joseph Rodgers, 11/16", engraved spine, barber notch and handles in ivory without defects.
Attachment 152620Attachment 152621Attachment 152622Attachment 152623Attachment 152624
Not a shaving set but a writing one I just fell in love with on the bay :
http://i56.servimg.com/u/f56/13/33/95/13/captu238.jpg
It will get along surprisingly well with my shaving set, same type, same inkpot.
I'm really happy !
http://i56.servimg.com/u/f56/13/33/95/13/captu196.jpg
Here are a few untouched pairs.
Bagshaw and Sons
Attachment 154881
Joseph Smith
Attachment 154882
Wish I had an ivory box like ScienceGuy's! :rofl2: I could fill it!
Joining the Gentleman's Set, so here's the 7 Day set I picked up from another fellow in Toronto, it's a Ed Wusthof 7 Day Set “Solinger Wertabeit".
It's in perfect condition, I've always liked the Ed Wusthof blades, and the 3 pin blades sold me.
Don't really know much about the age of the set, it's in a new box with the original lining etc...but I've shaved with the Tuesday blade and they really are great blades.
Attachment 155521
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Cheers!
Really neat ! :D
Wusthof is a well-knowed dutch oops : german house I'm sure you'll enjoy it !
I receive myself my writing set today, and I'm really happy of my purchase !
And I bought just after a stunning penholder, silver en tortoise.
http://img15.hostingpics.net/pics/227190601.jpg
http://img15.hostingpics.net/pics/909370133.jpg
http://img15.hostingpics.net/pics/890011265.jpg
I'm going to enjoy myself writing mails.
But still looking for my self-moderation.. If you see it, I'ld be really happy if you could send it back to me. http://r14.imgfast.net/users/1414/52...2158916598.gif
Beautiful pen! If I'm not mistaken, the sharper end allows you to "scrape"or erase the ink from a page if an error is made?
The silver and tortoise is gorgeous...would that be mid 1850's?
I would say earlier, but I'm not really aware of the dating of this kind of pens.
Ink eraser, or perhaps also for the opening of mails and wax seals ? :shrug: It'll be useful anyway. :)
7 Day Set Haigh Liverpool 3 4" Vintage Straight Razors Etched Celebrated Senator | eBay
I found this on ebay, figured you guys might want it.
Ed. Wüsthof, DreizackwerkQuote:
Originally Posted by Phrank
Brand names: 'Dante', 'Draga', 'Dreizackwerk', 'Nuxia', 'Pactroc-Elite', 'Pactroc-Progress', 'Pactroc-Royal', 'Reflex', 'Titus', 'Trajan', 'Trident', 'Troc Pac-Progress', 'Yatagan'.1920-30
:nj
This arrived this morning, two stunning blades, beautifully shaped, and in superb condition. Now I know what the seller meant when he said the scales are made of, "the other type of bone (wink, wink)".
If any of you fine members have ideas of a date range, I'd appreciate it, found lots of info on Joseph Rodgers, just can't zero in on these blades. They have the England stamp, so I'm assuming post 1900?
A Pair of 5/8" Sheffield made Straight Razors By Joseph Rodgers:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...ph-rodgers.JPG
http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...ph-rodgers.JPG
http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...ph-rodgers.JPG
http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...ph-rodgers.JPG
Hello Everyone,
I posted this under show & tell but Phrank suggested I also post here, so here goes...
Mappin & Webb 7 day set...
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Does anyone know what these scales are made of? I haven't received them yet (only just purchased), but even if I had them in my hands I still wouldn't know. Plastic/celluloid? And does anyone know approximate age (seller mentions a date range but is this accurate)? The seller provided very little detail. The seller quoted:
Lovely quality 'days of the week' set by top retailer Mappin & Webb. Everything totally original with no additions or repairs and in great condition. Each razor has a day of the week picked out on the back. The days are highly polished and the area around them acid etched to make them stand out. All are equally bright, so if any look a bit weak in the pictures, this is just the camera angle. No nicks in any of the blades. The metal nice and shiny with no corrosion. I might add I've made no attempt to polish them. This is exactly how they came. Top quality steel. Each marked 'Mappin & Webb Royal Cutlery Works, Sheffield'. No chips, splits, cracks or warping in the 'faux' ivory scales. Nicely grained.When shut each razor has a maximum length of 15cm. The blade part measures 7.5 x 1.4cm. The only defect is the leather hinge of the box which has torn through, so the lid is off. The rest of the box is lovely, with a very clean fitted interior and working lock with original key. They have not been sharpened or sterilized recently, so if you plan to use them please bear this in mind. I would date them c1890-1910
Also, when cleaning them up, should I look at replacing with Ivory scales or leave as-is? If I replaced with ivory I would obviously keep the originals incase I on-sell them in the future (still trying to justify the expense as I have spent too much on razors recently, may have to sell at some point)
Mappin & Webb made very high end razors. The scales are ivory. That's a seriously beautiful set. Congrats.
As the razors don't have 'England' stamped on them, they are pre 1891.
Just followed the recent posts back to this fine thread and realized I never added my Törnblom set (my only one unfortunately). I have 6 of 7 (no Wednesday :-(), all in great condition. Don't have a good group shot but they are all like 'Friday' here, bar a blemish or two. Would like to find a matching 7th one day but for now I have a different Törnblom with matching scales filling the gap (can you spot him?).
http://i861.photobucket.com/albums/a...psc1215797.jpg
http://i861.photobucket.com/albums/a...pse9e76345.jpg
http://i861.photobucket.com/albums/a...psd9c26584.jpg
http://i861.photobucket.com/albums/a...psb5295889.jpg
http://i861.photobucket.com/albums/a...pscd508ab5.jpg
http://i861.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps6dab9c52.jpg
http://i861.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/d803a3d9.jpg
THe seller advertised as faux-ivory... do you think he was mistaken and it may in fact be ivory? Id be so happy if this was the case.
Quote:
Originally Posted by johnmrson
They will definitely be real ivory.Quote:
Originally Posted by AndrewJM
Nice... Im even happier with my purchase now. Cant wait to shave with them :)
Please,please don't replace the scales!!Quote:
Originally Posted by AndrewJM
If you are going to clean them up be really careful if you remove the scales for cleaning as they will be really brittle.
Mappin & Webb are renowned here in the UK for top end jewellery and other products.
At the time these razors were made I would think that their clientele would be the upper class and royalty.
Enjoy your shaves
