Thread: 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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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 YMMV