Thread: Razor mystery

Hello everyone I have a recent acquisition that I need some help with. I picked it up at a large antique store a couple of weeks ago because from the shape it looks old. If anyone can help with an idea of what I have I would be grateful. The only mark is "concave". I'm not sure if the wood scales are original. If they are not someone took their time on them. They are brass pinned with no washer. It also look like it has a metal wedge. Sorry about my hand. It's permanently dirty from being a semi tractor mechanic.

I agree it looks old. It has that early 1800's look about it. However I am not one of the keepers of great knowledge, not yet anyway. I'd have grabbed it too just because crazy old razors make me smile.

That is what made me choose it among some others. I saw it and said WOW.

something says 1820-1830 to me. ive seen examples from this period coupling the same grind as this with the stub tail just starting to get a little longer like this one. the "concave" is like the faux frameback razors, ground the same way. with conventional hollow grind the razor is held perpendicular to the grind wheel. with these faux framback grinds the razor is held parallel with the grind wheel and overhanging the edge. takes a skilled set of hands and eyes to do these grinds right!
on the scales- no clue if they are original or not, if so they look like they survived well! great looking condition. and if they are original the shape suits the same time period I suggested for the blade.

Thanks for the reply. When I first saw it I saw the outline I thought very late 1700's but I'm pretty sure there weren't any grinds like this at that time. Weren't they all wedges late 1700's?

An early faux frameback. Around 1820ish as a guess. Looks to be in pretty good condition as well.

It has a small chip in the heel but I'm definitely going to try to hone and shave with it.

Since it is a faux frameback that would mean it's more than likely French?

Originally Posted by Ls2brew

Since it is a faux frameback that would mean it's more than likely French?

Not necessarily. John Barber did a faux frameback around the same time that was identical in design.

Originally Posted by johnmrson

Not necessarily. John Barber did a faux frameback around the same time that was identical in design.

There are numerous examples of this style from many English makers of the period. A quick gander at Joseph Smith's Key gives some very interesting examples.

e.g.,



Here are a couple examples that I have of the grind by at least some familiar makers.





OP's razor looks quite English to me, though not necessarily Sheffield.