Thread: Bengall Straight Razor

I just got a "new" Bengall straight and I was hoping someone could tell me how do I clean the scales? I know to soak the blade in barbarcide but I guess this will not work on the scales... suggestions ?

Straight Razor Place Library - Straight Razor Place Library

What are the scales made of? If it is a 20th C Bengall they are most likely plastic. If you could post a picture or give a bit more information that would help target the advice.

Having said that, I've had luck with just a damp rag (maybe a bit of polish) and a bit of elbow grease on scales. It really depends on the state of the scales and what they are made out of as to what might be required.

James.

James I will post a pic as soon as I have the razor (eBay). However, thank you for the tip

How do you approximate when the razor was made?

I have Bengalls with horn, bakerlite & celluloid scales
Age is as far as I understand in that order also

Originally Posted by dmgc7d

How do you approximate when the razor was made?

I use this eBook Standard Guide to Razors 3rd Edition - General Reference Antiques & Collectibles Ebook

These were the pictures on eBay

A little razor info, mostly from Geoffrey Tweedale, perhaps one of the most learned historians on straight razors (or open razors as we prefer to call them this side of the Atlantic) ever:

"The Cadman line goes back to the 16th century. In the 18th century they turned to cutlery and razor making. Thomas Radley Cadman's branch of the family began with Luke Cadman. Luke's second son (another Luke) moved to Sheffield in 1740 and became an apprentice, gaining his freedom in 1748 and being granted the 'Bengall' makers mark in 1749. At one point in time (1820s) Hannah Cadman the widow of Peter Cadman, was listed in Directories as manufacturer of Bengall razors. After her death in 1828 the firm passed over to her son Alfred, who in turn passed away in 1841 leaving his wife Mary to run the business. In 1871 Thomas Radley Cadman, one of Mary's sons, took over the business, Mary passing away in 1877. The business was located in St. Marys Road, and remained there until 1938. Thomas died in 1917, before which Edwin Cadman (the founders great grandson) was running the business. Edwin died in 1921. By 1933 the firm had branched into safety razors and pocket knives. At the beginning of WW2 the company moved to Matilda Lane, where it remained til it ceased business in 1965. Despite having employed over 100 men in it's heyday, when the company ceased trading only two remained".

Guessing the age is not easy - I have honey horne scaled ones that look ages old. mid 1800s, until you find a cutlers manual of offerings featuring this same razor - the catalogue I have goes back to the 1920s, so by guesstimate you would be 70 0r more years out.

It is pretty safe to presume yours is 1930s - 1950s, somewhere around that point. The company had used a number of scale materials, but I don't think they ever used plastic. The ones you show appear to be a mixed medium with some sort of resin and powdered horn. All the ones I have had like yours (a hundred or so) give off that distinctive horn smell when abraded. Sometimes, once polished, you can even see a slight pattern, which leads me to think that the earlier versions were 'double heated' horn - this type was in a mould and the first heat was to mould and cut it, the second to make the horn hot enough to flow and virtually ose all its horn-like qualities.

Whatever, if you sand it with fine paper to get rid of any dry fibres or knows, then use tripoli aand oil on it, you will get a high sheen.

Regards,
Neil

Oh - I forgot to say, that like Kropp, these are one of top line makers that are sometimes disregarded. I have had many, many razors, and a good Bengall will perform as well as or better than them.

Originally Posted by Neil Miller

A little razor info, mostly from Geoffrey Tweedale, perhaps one of the most learned historians on straight razors (or open razors as we prefer to call them this side of the Atlantic) ever:

"The Cadman line goes back to the 16th century. In the 18th century they turned to cutlery and razor making. Thomas Radley Cadman's branch of the family began with Luke Cadman. Luke's second son (another Luke) moved to Sheffield in 1740 and became an apprentice, gaining his freedom in 1748 and being granted the 'Bengall' makers mark in 1749. At one point in time (1820s) Hannah Cadman the widow of Peter Cadman, was listed in Directories as manufacturer of Bengall razors. After her death in 1828 the firm passed over to her son Alfred, who in turn passed away in 1841 leaving his wife Mary to run the business. In 1871 Thomas Radley Cadman, one of Mary's sons, took over the business, Mary passing away in 1877. The business was located in St. Marys Road, and remained there until 1938. Thomas died in 1917, before which Edwin Cadman (the founders great grandson) was running the business. Edwin died in 1921. By 1933 the firm had branched into safety razors and pocket knives. At the beginning of WW2 the company moved to Matilda Lane, where it remained til it ceased business in 1965. Despite having employed over 100 men in it's heyday, when the company ceased trading only two remained".

Guessing the age is not easy - I have honey horne scaled ones that look ages old. mid 1800s, until you find a cutlers manual of offerings featuring this same razor - the catalogue I have goes back to the 1920s, so by guesstimate you would be 70 0r more years out.

It is pretty safe to presume yours is 1930s - 1950s, somewhere around that point. The company had used a number of scale materials, but I don't think they ever used plastic. The ones you show appear to be a mixed medium with some sort of resin and powdered horn. All the ones I have had like yours (a hundred or so) give off that distinctive horn smell when abraded. Sometimes, once polished, you can even see a slight pattern, which leads me to think that the earlier versions were 'double heated' horn - this type was in a mould and the first heat was to mould and cut it, the second to make the horn hot enough to flow and virtually ose all its horn-like qualities.

Whatever, if you sand it with fine paper to get rid of any dry fibres or knows, then use tripoli aand oil on it, you will get a high sheen.

Regards,
Neil

Oh - I forgot to say, that like Kropp, these are one of top line makers that are sometimes disregarded. I have had many, many razors, and a good Bengall will perform as well as or better than them.

NEIL, THANK YOU that was very helpful, and informative! Last question, I promise, if the scales are as you say "horn and resin" will it hurt them to place them in Barbarcide with the blade for cleaning?