Thinking about a Sheffield

Still fairly new, but I find a multitude of things attract me to straight razor shaving. One, obviously the shaves, which have been getting better with time, patience, and practice. Another is the history of it all. I have a fondness for old things and the stories behind them. The razors are intriguing, but since they generally aren't serial numbered, hard to trace to a specific date or owner, so I have to settle for a general period in time. I also like the artistry of them. They're pretty and have style in their own way.

The Othello is nice looking and I like the way it feels in the hand. The smooth lines of the W.H. Morley&Sons Clover brand and my Torrey, both with notch point blades, are classic, plus they feel solid and easily maneuver around my face. So, since I've tried something from the States, and a couple from Germany, I was thinking about trying one of the heavier blades from England. Opinions...or am I just suffering a terrible addiction? I know there are many brands made in Sheffield, and most seem well spoken of, but are there any I should avoid?

Thanks

If you want to experience a typical Sheffield blade, I would suggest not a Frederick Reynolds. There isn't anything wrong with them (though I don't really like them myself), but, in my experience, they tend to be a harder steel, so they don't feel like most Sheffield blades I've shaved with.

Well, everyone knows here what I'll say, my favorite razor, just completed my 7 Day Set of them.

If you want a Sheffield razor, to me, the pinnacle of these blades is the Wade and Butcher, Celebrated Hollow Ground Razor, For Barber's Use....hands down, in my opinion only of course.:)

I've used blades from the USA and Germany and England. There all good. I like the larger sheffields whether there hollow ground or a full wedge or any in-between. There are some that are more in demand but there are many at a reasonable price. I have Wade and Butcher wostenholm and Fredrick Reynolds in sizes from 5/8 to 8/8 there all great shavers and I have no problem honing any of them. I believe you would like these razors. as far as you suffering from an addiction. well aren't we all. When I get what I'm looking for in one direction I see something else in another direction. And I like shaving with them all. Don't worry about the addiction It's not infectious but now that you have it it is incurable. :boohoo:

They made razors there for a long time so you my have to narrow it down a little. I have quite a variety and just got some loners in in the mail and all be checking out a few more. If you can find someone to do loners swaps with it can be a little cheaper although if you really like them it just feeds the rad.

Your going to have to try at least 20 that I can think of to get the true sense of Sheffield.
Ha Ha that's what they told Phrank in the beginning :<0)

Really , just pick 1 that catches your eye until your eye catches another 1.

You have to try a few before you have a custom made to your specs. At least you should but their is no hard fast rule about that either.

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Originally Posted by 10Pups

Your going to have to try at least 20 that I can think of to get the true sense of Sheffield.
Ha Ha that's what they told Phrank in the beginning :<0)

Really , just pick 1 that catches your eye until your eye catches another 1.

You have to try a few before you have a custom made to your specs. At least you should but their is no hard fast rule about that either.

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Just 20. I would have thought it would have been more like 100.

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Originally Posted by 10Pups

Your going to have to try at least 20 that I can think of to get the true sense of Sheffield.
Ha Ha that's what they told Phrank in the beginning :<0)

Really , just pick 1 that catches your eye until your eye catches another 1.

You have to try a few before you have a custom made to your specs. At least you should but their is no hard fast rule about that either.

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Yes, I do love my Wade and Butchers, but I have room for Greaves as well, and of course, nothing like a frameback from good old Georgie Wostenholm....

Not quite rh...just a few, only about 60....:(

Personally love early sheffield stub tail wedges. I swear that old steel feels different... I like it.

My fav Sheffield at the moment is my 6/8 W&B full hollow spike point
Even still has some lacquered string holding the the wedge together
Beautiful smooth shaver
JMO YMMVAttachment 196191

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Originally Posted by Substance

My fav Sheffield at the moment is my 6/8 W&B full hollow spike point
Even still has some lacquered string holding the the wedge together
Beautiful smooth shaver
JMO YMMVAttachment 196191

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How do you like that TOS? I've never used one but always curious. As far as Sheffields go I'm addicted to Greaves.

At this size 1x1x6" this TOS makes a great photo prop
I think it is about 3-5k but I find it to small & I much prefer the full size Nanis @ nortons myself
Maybe a large TOS would be good
I honestly bought it as a barber hone option but have only played with it a dozen times maybe

My first British razor was the Bengall and just love it.

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Originally Posted by armourpc

My first British razor was the Bengall and just love it.

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A friend sent me a 15/16 Wostenholm hollow ground blade in 2013. I scaled it and honed. that was my first Sheffield and it's great. I get some of the most comfortable shaves with it. Until then I was having a lot of trouble with everything with straights. It was easier to get my angle right with this blade and things got a lot easier. The rash all but quite . The razor fit my hand .

Have several Bengall's also all great shavers

I only have 2 Wade and Butchers. One is a smaller hollow ground measuring about 9/16 and is the equivalent of a Ferrari on the face, fast and smooth. The other is 7/8 near wedge which is more of a bulldozer. I have grown to love these blades more than any others I have and I want more.[emoji7]

I swear I haven't ran into a bad one in the whole bunch from Sheffield. Pretty easy to hone and they take a remarkabley sharp and smooth edge. John Sellers & sons was my first and I am still partial to it but my Tom Harrop is a beautiful and excellent piece of steel too.

Another vote for Bengall, a must try IMHO.

My favorite razor in my collection ATM happens to be a Frederick Reynolds. Though I wouldn't recommend it for your situation as it is a bit of a harder steel as mentioned earlier. If I were you I would try the Bengall or a Wostenholm. Wade and Butcher's can run for a pretty penny and I think they may just be overrated. Whatever you get, I hope you enjoy it!

...and let's not forget Joseph Elliot, George Brittain (Sheffield or the mythical Birmingham?), Jonathan Crookes, Marsh and Sheppard, Wilkinson (Sheffield??), Wade Wingfield & Rowbotham, and James Barlow & Sons..and there are dozens more I'm sure...all fantastic razors, each are great shavers but I particularly like the Wade, Wingfield & Rowbotham, not only because it's a fantastic razor, but because I love saying, "Rowbotham, now pass the Grey Poupon..."

Dis someone say: "Rowbotham, now pass the Grey Poupon..."???

Attachment 196254Attachment 196255

"Yes, Wolfpack, the Grey Poupon is, "The Favourite", har, chortle, har, guffaw...!"

Attachment 196261

That's a beauty Phrank! Those two make quite a pair...

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Originally Posted by Wolfpack34

That's a beauty Phrank! Those two make quite a pair...

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Just had a look at it, scales are ivory or bone, can't tell and pixelfixed won't come over to my house to look at it!!

It's never been honed, no edge or bevel on it at all...going to have to get it shave ready methinks!

WP - are those scales horn?

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Originally Posted by Phrank

Just had a look at it, scales are ivory or bone, can't tell and pixelfixed won't come over to my house to look at it!!

It's never been honed, no edge or bevel on it at all...going to have to get it shave ready methinks!

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Regardless of the scale material Phrank...you definitely need to hone it up and shave with it. They are really wonderful 'Sheffield Steel' shavers. I have two WW&R razors and I would never sell either one! Send it to me and I'll hone it up for you gratis my friend. BTW...I'm about ready to post up a REAL nice old Sheffield restore. I think you will recognize it... :D

I'm going to put a layer of tape on it and hone it up...will be number six for me honing a razor I will use...this is a hollow so I should be ok with it.

Didn't want those Jolly Rogers left out . This is one of those shavers that I would never sell. Very smooth. Sorry for the quality of the pix just don't have the knack but I'm trying to work on it:chapeauAttachment 196267Attachment 196268Attachment 196269

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Originally Posted by Phrank

Just had a look at it, scales are ivory or bone, can't tell and pixelfixed won't come over to my house to look at it!!

It's never been honed, no edge or bevel on it at all...going to have to get it shave ready methinks!

WP - are those scales horn?

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I would but your country will not let me in (little issue with customs awhile back:)

Well, I took a leap of faith and acquired a Wostenholm & Sons IXL. The scales appear to be warped, the pins and bushings leave much to be desired, there are a few small spots of rust though not horrible, and she shows the patina of her age. I believe she will clean up nicely. :hmmm: I plan on having it re-scaled, possibly in Buffalo horn, having new pins and bulls eye bushings installed, the rust removed, then sharpened. Because of the etching on the blade, I'm still debating whether to have it polished, or leave the patina. Polishing would return her to her youth, but leaving the patina would show her maturity and allow the etching to remain.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g1...ps4gaqgq4w.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g1...psieajf8nz.jpg

So, what do you think?

I would save the etching if possible. Wostenholm's are great blades. Next will come the stub tail early sheffields. I love my James Johnson and my John Shepherd. I see a pattern like looking in a mirror at a barbers shop with a mirror behind you. It just goes on and on and on.
Have fun with it and enjoy.

That is one nice looking piece of steel.