Thread: Interesting read on Sheffield razors

For anyone interested here is an interesting read on Sheffield razors with collecting and dating information.
http://www.anwealde.com/razors/bothlummus.pdf

An interesting read. Mr. Lummus did not think much about Frederick Reynold's razors describing them as worthless. I have a few nice examples that are excellent shavers so I beg to differ with Mr. Lummus' opinion. F.R. started business about 1840 and seems to have been a very prolific maker. I probably see as many of those as I do Wade & Butchers.

I really like Frederick Reynolds razor, top quality Sheffield in my book. Most can be a bit of a pain to hone but once you get them honed they hold an exceptionally fine edge for a long time. I'll give the article a read later but in the mean time I'll just say ......Mr. Lummus needs to quit smokin' whatever he's smokin'......he! he!

He wrote the article in 1922 so I think he quit smoking

Well I agree as I also have a FR and it is one of my best. A wedge with a nice even bevel and sharp n smooth. Beautiful too. Interesting to see the different thoughts back then though. How things change.

Looking through this again, an interesting observation and one that I heard Neil make on more than one occasion is that we sometimes will date a razor newer when it is actually quite older.

I had an old cast steel razor that I thought (along with a few members here) was from 1890 or newer and Neil said the razor is considerably older. After seeing some of these razors in this collection I think I would agree that it was from the mid 1800's or even older.

Not to take anything away from the Lummus article but... i have discussed this article with Neil Miller at various occasions. Turns out that there are quite a few errors and assumptions in his article, that said he just didnt have the resources available at the time this was actually written, so take the article with a grain of salt.

Henry Tilton Lummus, was an American born(1876-1960), judge in Massachusetts, a collector of antiques especially Straight Razors.

I think you're right Martin. It is still an interesting read. Just to see the attitude and thoughts towards straight razors and collecting them back in the early 1900"s. It's not the first time I read that people considered hollow German made razors inferior. Of course, now we know they are not and many people prefered them even back then but other cutlers of heavier grinds seemed to be prejudiced towards them (threatened perhaps?) We have our own prejudices today.

Originally Posted by karlej

He wrote the article in 1922 so I think he quit smoking

I wonder if his cig's were twisted on both ends

It appears that some are not keeping the time that this was written in mind.

How many here would advocate putting Gold Dollars or their equivalent in their antique razor collection today?