Thread: That 1700's Show

Originally Posted by ScienceGuy

I'm still not convinced that Haven(d)and is the maker - as Zak said it would be highly unusual for him to make a razor. Did Joan send a picture of his mark registered from the book?

No. But I sent the pictures of the razor, and haven't receive any remarks on the font either. I've asked about the font specifically, but haven't receive a reply to this yet.

from "History of the Company of cutlers in Hallamshire, in the county of York" v.2 (1906) by Robert Eadon Leader.


si = siklesmith
F. = freedom
mr. = moor
mkr = maker
k = knifemaker
kgr = knifegrinder

Originally Posted by dimab

Thank you guys! So we have probably half-century time frame, but other than that it remains a mystery.

Always glad to help!

My cruise through Sketchley's also didn't find anything.

I feel relatively certain the mark is not a Sheffield mark.

The blade shape, to my eye, looks distinctly late 1700's (1790ish to 1800ish).

Sadly, I've got a number of razors whose only mark are two letters, and for the most part they're just not identifiable.

Originally Posted by altus

from "History of the Company of cutlers in Hallamshire, in the county of York" v.2 (1906) by Robert Eadon Leader.


si = siklesmith
F. = freedom
mr. = moor
mkr = maker
k = knifemaker
kgr = knifegrinder

The closest thing there is Mark Havenhand (son of Mark the sicklesmith) who was apprenticed to John Lockwood, filesmith.

The file makers were also pretty far removed from the razor makers, so also probably not a lead.

Finally Got this Sheppard Wolf Dip toe razor rescaled and honed up for some awesome shaves. Have to thank Mark Mycarver for reshaping a set of scales I sent him and rescaling it for me. Not sure what date a dip toe on the Sheppard razors would be.

Originally Posted by rideon66

Not sure what date a dip toe on the Sheppard razors would be.

This one looks like mid-18th c.

New razor. Bought to another collector. A marvel of folk art. The horn handle probably dates from the late eighteenth. A sailor, a boat, an illustrious stranger, a radiant skull and the god Hermes (it looks like Celtic art). The blade is newer, but forged and full of forgery defects. I love this razor

Can’t find any info on this old dip toe razor. Looks like Robinson but can’t find that or the marks anywhere. Thinking it is older than the directories I am able to access. Anyone got anything info on this maker?

Originally Posted by rideon66

Can’t find any info on this old dip toe razor. Looks like Robinson but can’t find that or the marks anywhere. Thinking it is older than the directories I am able to access. Anyone got anything info on this maker?

wait a second, that looks familiar...is that from ebay sold by laballea? Dang, I was thinking of bidding on it but forgot. Let me know how that hones up and shaves!

Originally Posted by rideon66

Can’t find any info on this old dip toe razor. Looks like Robinson but can’t find that or the marks anywhere. Thinking it is older than the directories I am able to access. Anyone got anything info on this maker?

Oooh! That's a good one!

Definitely not in either Sketchley's or Gales & Martin.

Your best bet is to get in touch with the Cutler's Company: https://cutlers-hallamshire.org.uk/contact-us/

My guess, informed by the apprentice registry, the blade design, and it's non-inclusion in the most likely directories is that it was made by one of the Thomas Robinsons. There were three in the timeframe of 1750ish to 1765ish, which is when I'd guess that razor was made.

There's a whole mound of Robinsons in the apprentice registry, but those are the only ones in the right time and trade.