Thread: FS: I Barber, Sheffield, early 1800s stub tail, padauk scales

This is a great old razor which exemplifies Sheffield manufacture from the early 1800s. The manufacturer's stamp is I. Barber.

The grind is shoulderless and I can't remember the other name, but it also goes by 'rattler'. It's a quarter hollow wedge.

It's in a great state for 200 old razor - some pitting and patina, kept very intentionally. I am not partial to ruining old razors by overgrinding/overbuffing when that doesn't serve any purpose other than blurring the original grind lines and exposing shiny steel.

The shank/tang and the spine on this one are slightly blued, which I think works quite well with the patina on the rest of the blade.

The scales are custom made in period shape out of padauk, again because I think the grain of the wood works best with the blade.

Shave ready, small bevel, and as I said great example of a sheffield edge - not trivial in early razors which tend to be inconsistent.

Asking $180 includes shipping in US.

Beautiful blade! How wide is it?

Oops, forgot to put the size. It is 6/8 wide and the length is 3" - a little longer than the 2.75" which became standard later, that's why it looks more like a 5/8 razor.
With these early stubtails I've noticed that some are 3" and some are smaller, probably 2.5" - it seems to be more of a binomial distribution, and looks like a fun little project in itself.