Thread: Need Help dating a Bengall.

I know there's a joke in there somewhere....

I have an old Bengall Cast Steel that I've only found a couple of pics like on the 'net.

9/16
Half hollow(quarter hollow?), square, stubby tang, no writing on the right side.
The toe and the inside curve of the tail have similar rough finishing.
Green horn scales

Guesses on the age?

Thanks!

The Cadman family found a design that worked and pretty much stuck with it forever.

The Bengall /Cast Steel marks date back to the late 1780's, and they used them until sometime in the mid 1800's, maybe later. It's difficult to tell for sure.

Your razor has been reground to be hollow, from an original wedge-grind, and something happened to the scales as well. I've never seen large collared pins at the pivot and collarless pins on the point/toe of the scales before. They may well not be the original scales at all.

So the only thing I can say really for certain is that it was made after 1800 and before 1880.

My guess would be 1830's based on the positioning of the marks and the remnants of the long-cut on the tang (shoulderless grind), but I can't really support my guess with anything concrete. I would argue it's probably earlier than later, but the Cadman family tradition of never changing a thing makes even that sketchy.

Thanks, that's what I was beginning to think on the hollow grind. How often were blades reground?

I think the scales might be original. Just the left side of the toe is missing the collar. This guy had a similar blade: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthr...e-early-1800-s
Here's one with scales like mine: STRAZORS.com - all about classic razors - Bengall, Cast Steel.
And a Shave Day post with one that's been ground: http://straightrazorpalace.com/shave...ml#post1001656
THIS one even had jimps put in when it was reground: http://www.antike-rasiermesser.de/wp...r-bengal26.jpg