Thread: That 1700's Show

Originally Posted by xiaotuzi

Really? I didn't get this off ebay so at least I know there is another like it out there to keep looking for. This was a memorable purchase a couple years ago cheap at a community garage sale in a box along with some other goodies. One of the luckiest finds I've ever had outside of the internet. Now, I'm off to find the one you are speaking of....

My bad. I saw one like it but I now realize that wasn't it. Still a great score.

Recently picked up this Evatt. Looks to be more primitive than the other Evatt's I've seen in the past. I'm guessing closer to the beginning of his production 1791-1795.

Here is a video of me shaving with it.

https://youtu.be/OD4rfYM26NY


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this thread is "eye orgasm". Too much beautifull razors.

Bengall cast steel (with pressed horn scales)


( more photos here )

The seller said early 1700s for this one - while I would love to have a early 1700s razor, this looks closer to late 1700s/early 1800s to me, based on:

* Scales are not very curved, but not quite coffin-shaped - of course they could be later than the blade.
* There's not much of a shoulder, but it's not the basically continuous shape (shoulderless) that 1700s blades seem to have.
* There's a very tiny stub tail (though, I suppose it's possible it had a proper stub and this was broken or intentionally removed for some reason).

Further thoughts on dating this one?

[ more info in the Bengall club thread ]

Well it is definitely not early 1700's for sure. It looks like it was re-scaled and the tail altered to make it look older.
Could very well be 1820-1830, JMHO.

Originally Posted by Martin103

Well it is definitely not early 1700's for sure. It looks like it was re-scaled and the tail altered to make it look older.
Could very well be 1820-1830, JMHO.

Why do you think it was rescaled? You think the scales look older than the blade? Or?

I was wondering if the tail was altered - it's hard to tell. I don't think it was done to make it look older, but perhaps it was damaged.

Originally Posted by benhunt

Bengall cast steel (with pressed horn scales)

The seller said early 1700s for this one - while I would love to have a early 1700s razor, this looks closer to late 1700s/early 1800s to me, based on:

* Scales are not very curved, but not quite coffin-shaped - of course they could be later than the blade.
* There's not much of a shoulder, but it's not the basically continuous shape (shoulderless) that 1700s blades seem to have.
* There's a very tiny stub tail (though, I suppose it's possible it had a proper stub and this was broken or intentionally removed for some reason).

Further thoughts on dating this one?

[ more info in the Bengall club thread ]

The BEN-GALL mark was granted to Luke Cadman in 1748 (According to a history from the British Trade Journal), so that gives you an earliest date. Aside from that, based on the characteristics of the blade re: tang that sits above the blade edge, the shape of the spine, (especially an overhead shot of how thick the tang is at the pivot would help here), I would agree with post-1800. Scales could be original but hard to be certain.

Originally Posted by benhunt

Why do you think it was rescaled? You think the scales look older than the blade? Or?

I was wondering if the tail was altered - it's hard to tell. I don't think it was done to make it look older, but perhaps it was damaged.

I don't know about rescaled but from that auction photo you posted in the Workshop, now that Science Guy pointed out the monkey tail looks altered, I'd say he has a really good eye. It looks like it to me too.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...ml#post1651352

Originally Posted by benhunt

Why do you think it was rescaled? You think the scales look older than the blade? Or?

I was wondering if the tail was altered - it's hard to tell. I don't think it was done to make it look older, but perhaps it was damaged.

I think it was re-scaled because i have never seen or found a Bengall with pressed horn scales doesn't mean they dont exist... and you can find many examples of Cast Steel example with stub tails, perhaps it was damaged but i think it had a skinny tail like the example below.


Here is an example of a late 1700's Bengall acier fondu.

Originally Posted by ScienceGuy

The BEN-GALL mark was granted to Luke Cadman in 1748 (According to a history from the British Trade Journal), so that gives you an earliest date. Aside from that, based on the characteristics of the blade re: tang that sits above the blade edge, the shape of the spine, (especially an overhead shot of how thick the tang is at the pivot would help here), I would agree with post-1800. Scales could be original but hard to be certain.

Not sure if any of these shots help:

https://imgur.com/a/V3H5Z