Thread: Sheffield Razor, Need Help Identifying and Cleaning

Is that the trademark in the second picture?



More closeups.

Originally Posted by ClydeWigg3

Is that the trademark in the second picture?



More closeups.

My guess is 1870-1890. The scales are definitely ivory, and they are repairable, but they've seen rough times.

Thank you. I love old stuff like this, expecially when I know it belonged to family. The ivory seems really thin and fragile. How did it ever hold up to daily use? Based on those dates this would most likely have been my G. Grandfather's, who died in 1911. If this was properly repaired would there be any reason I couldn't use it on occassion?

Originally Posted by ClydeWigg3

Thank you. I love old stuff like this, expecially when I know it belonged to family. The ivory seems really thin and fragile. How did it ever hold up to daily use? Based on those dates this would most likely have been my G. Grandfather's, who died in 1911. If this was properly repaired would there be any reason I couldn't use it on occassion?

Ivory is surprisingly durable. It's made of the same stuff as your teeth, more or less, and most people have at least a couple of those that last a lifetime of crushing things!

It should absolutely be usable once fixed up, and I'm relatively confident it can be fixed.

Last question, unless I think of something else. What about the engraving on the scales "47 Live Oak". Is that just something personal, or did they sell them with a business name like that? The town of Live Oak is nearby where this razor came from.

Originally Posted by ClydeWigg3

Last question, unless I think of something else. What about the engraving on the scales "47 Live Oak". Is that just something personal, or did they sell them with a business name like that? The town of Live Oak is nearby where this razor came from.

That looks like it was engraved in by the owner. I've never seen a razor that's had anything like that done to the scales by the manufacturer or reseller.

That really throws me then. I'm thinking "47" as in a year. But 1947 would be to late, and 1847 to early. What does the early (England) mark look like and where would it be?

Originally Posted by ClydeWigg3

Just took this picture of the tang. Age estimates?

As mentioned, your razor is from a renowned manufacturer.

Here is the tang stamp that Voidmonster was talking about, only this razor is post-1900, as you can see by the ENGLAND stamp.

In my experience, the markings on scales are almost always mysterious.

That razor doesn't have the England stamp on it. It would be visible on the right side of the 'Joseph Rodgers, etc...' mark.

1847 is definitely too early for that razor and 1947 is too late.

More likely, it was something put into the scales to identify the owner. Possibly by a barber or repair shop. I've seen many, MANY razors with bizarre numbers carved into the scales.

Restoration begun: Gentle hand sanding with 60 grit.