Thread: I think I finally found my Greaves

For the last few months I had it set in my head that if I made any money with my little hobby of restoring old razors that I would buy myself a brand spanking new razor of my choosing. Well after I had a very successful month I finally made a nice $300 on a few projects I had been working on and the month before I had made enough to pay for my equipment and was now profiting off of the hobby.

So even though the antiques will always have my heart I was set in getting that brand new razor that nobody else had ever owned. Something that I am the guy who starts the history of a razor and not someone who is just apart of the history by bringing it back to life and shave ready again. I have to admit at first I was disappointed when I couldn't find a new razor that I liked and was considering settling for a Dovo that to be hones't was about my fourth or fifth choice.

Well after a lot of thinking about it and getting some great advice from some of my fellow members on here I did exactly the opposite of what I had planned to do and my soft spot for the antiques won over in my decision after all.

I ended up with what I think is a very exceptional W. Greaves & Sons Sheaf Works 7/8ths near wedge. With an eagle and "American Razor" etched on it. The only complaint I have with the razor is that the stamping obviously seen its better days. Its readable but definitely a bit rough. It's got the original horn scales and they're in what I would consider amazing shape considering they're more than likely over 160 years old. I'm uploading a few pictures tell me what you guys think!

In great shape. Glad you found one to cherish. Enjoy!

Fantastic choice in the end. I have a similar shaped W&B, near wedge, a big piece of steel set in the original pressed horn scales. Not only is it my favourite piece of history, but it's also my favourite shaver. I'll be hoping the same for yours.

As much as I thought I had to get a brand new one in the end it was the old one that won me over. One day I will have a new razor because I still think it will be cool to have my very own new one that's exactly what I want. I still like the idea of buying a new razor that no one else has ever owned before me. The only thing I have ever used was antique restores that I fixed and honed and that's always going to be my preference because I like using something I fixed. However one day I still want to try the opposite and get a beautiful T l, Boker, or Ralf Aust that I pick and have Lynn hone it for me. That just, in my honest opinion, sounds like luxury. To get exactly what I want and have a master like Lynn do all the work is pretty much the definition of luxury to me as silly as that may sound.

Not begrudging your desire for a new razor, but I doubt you'll find a new one that will shave as nicely as a well tuned old Greaves.

I have several from various eras of Greaves manufacture and ALL of them are super smooth, easy to hone, and hold an edge remarkably well for such old steel.

As Sharpton says; "Greaves have souls."

I put my $$ in the old stuff and enjoy wondering who might scraped his chin with the old razor that I'm scraping mine with. If only they could talk.

ENJOY that old blade, even though it has some wear and miles on it, it's still ready to do what it was designed to do.

Very nice, I saw that one, I've been looking for a Greaves for quite awhile, a very particular one, that one is also a SHEAF WORKS, which is awesome, and a requirement for the one I'm looking for, they are beautiful blades and I know you'll enjoy that. Congratulations!

If that is the razor I think it is that just ended on eBay a few days ago you got a great deal. I have the same razor albeit my etching is a little "bolder" and it a a beauty. You will love it.