Can't wait to see the after pics. Very nice group of razors!
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Can't wait to see the after pics. Very nice group of razors!
The little brass emblem resembles the US Marine Corps logo.
I can help with that.
The Wade & Butcher is scaled in "clear" horn. It's tough to pin down an exact date of manufacture, but you're probably looking at something in the neighborhood of 1830-1850.
The C.S.P.K. piece looks to have been scaled in some variety of plastic. Possibly celluloid, possibly something that was developed a little later. I don't know anything about this maker, but my guess for a date would be the first half of the 20th century.
The Dubl Duck also has some variety of plastic scales. Date-wise you're probably looking somewhere in the middle-ish 20th century.
The F.W. Engels razor appears to have faux ivory celluloid scales, and probably dates around 1900-1930.
The Union Cutlery Spike has faux ivory celluloid scales dates somewhere around 1930-1940.
Love the W&B, very nice...
I'm so torn on whether I should replace the scales on the W&B or not. They're not in the best of shape, but they are still solid. I can get a pair of ivory scales done for $120. But I also really don't want to spend the money, lol. Mainly because SWMBO will kill me once she finds out how much just a PART of a straight razor cost me... Decisions, decisions.
That would be a hard decision, especially since they do look nice and old. I love the fact that you consider that; a lot of people would have had the poor thing all shiny looking and dressed in plastic by now.
I wonder how much of that beautiful patina you could retain; all of it? Or is it already gone? Have you taken the scales off? I wonder how they'd clean up? If they look too tacky, BONE scales would look nice, I'd like to do my Bengall wedge in bone scales one day...
PS, there seems to be some little niggles in the edge, so I guess you'll have to remove a fair bit of steel. I'm no expert, but I'd tape the spine. And that looks like actual rust on the tail (i.e. orange), but I'd try and keep ALL that patina.
It's be fun to hone that toe, too, and try and get an edge all the way around the toe as good as the rest...
Have fun! That W&B looks like a great project, the pick of the lot I think...