Thread: wostenholm doubly carbonized

I came across a wostenholm doubly carbonized IXL razor that the seller claims was made in 1860. I found some information on it here in the database but not much. Has anyone ever restored one of these? Is there anything I need to know about them before picking it up?

Probably a frameback design. Pictures?

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Probably a frameback design. Pictures?

Indeed a frameback!
Wostenholm, George & Son "Doubly Carbonized I-XL razor " 7/8 - Straight Razor Place Library

Yup, we have to have pics!

Well maybe not necessary, but highly desired.

That is pretty much what the razor looks like, the manufacturer mark is slightly different but other than that it is the same, does anyone have experience restoring these?

since you guys asked for a pic

Originally Posted by jpatte

since you guys asked for a pic

That is the variety of frameback which has the tang integral to the blade. There is a spine added. The previous one shown has the Tang and spine integrated and the blade installed. Either will shave good!

sharptonn are you saying that this may not be a true frameback?

There were two type of the Wostenholm frameback razors:
1. The gold colored print pressed into the dark horn handle says : "George Wostenholm & Son's, Doubly Carbonised I*XL Razor", "Registered Sep.10, 1850. No.2434". The handle has brass pins and a metal spacer.
The razor's shank is stamped "The I*XL Improved Swiss", "manufactured solely by", "George Wostenholm & Son".
2. A second similar razor (on the picture above) has much the same shape to its black horn handle and frameback blade.
The frame back portion of this blade is flattened slightly and stamped "Geo. Wostenholm & Son's Doubly Carbonized I*XL razor".
The frameback and the blade's edge have a curve to them instead of being straight. The curve is about the same as that made by the razor's handle. The shank has a diamond shaped mark and is stamped inside the mark "Registered", "10 Sep.", "1850", "No 2434", "I*XL".
The frameback style continued to be sold for decades though not in great number.

Originally Posted by jpatte

sharptonn are you saying that this may not be a true frameback?

It absolutely is. Both are. Just two different styles!