Thread: Razor I'd help

Thomas Scargill.

One of the earlier Sheffield cutlers to be advertised by name in America. He carved out a niche as the good quality / low-price cutler, setting himself apart from John Barber and Joseph Rodgers from about 1818 to 1825. Both Barber and Rodgers had a reputation for high-end goods, and Scargill made 'no-frills' razors that he claimed were as good as theirs but affordable.

He died very young, and though I can't find the newspaper clipping, I recall his death was written about as a startling tragedy. He was born about 1785. His father's name was also Thomas, who was a joiner. Thomas the younger served a full 7 year apprenticeship to George Johnson starting in 1795 and finishing in 1813. Immediately after completing his apprenticeship he took his own apprentice, William Hattersley. He was listed as a razorsmith then.

He died in 1825.

Based on others I've seen, I would guess yours was made around 1820, give or take five years. His later razors were stamped 'T. SCARGILL', and his earlier razors were considerably more primitive looking.