What happened to the CONGREVE monster you had?
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What happened to the CONGREVE monster you had?
Congreve? Of Naylors Steel? Whatever do you mean?
You would think that a pair of razors by Napoleon's goldsmith would be pretty close to that famed, fancy cup.
http://theshiveringbeggar.com/wp-con...01/DSC0438.jpg
You'd be right.
But there are others I want more.
What, Zak? You must elaborate! :hmmm:
Doubt this one had much to do with Napoleon's goldsmith, or Napoleon anything, being that William Ragg made this one from Sheffield:
Attachment 198042
Looking at many of the choices you see not much love for German or Filarmonica in the grail list, I'm not surprised by the lack of love for German razors even though they do make some excellent razors but I'm very surprised to see no takers on some of the Filarmonica's.
Filarmonicas would be on my list along with Dubl Duck Llifetime's Grim Reaper :) just something thrilling about shaving with a razor that has a figure of DEATH on it to remind you to pay attention!
Great post Rez, on several levels, I too would like the chance of a "bidding/war/bloodbath/massacre"
for a W&B Ottoman and Egyptian :medvl:
From our very own SRP Library:
LINK: Wade & Butcher "The Ottoman Egyptain and Royal Windsor Razor" 15/16 - Straight Razor Place Library
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All things considered, I'd have to go with my Fili 14. Easy to touch up, and the strop keeps it going forever.
The steel itself did come from Al Pendry, as I understand. But it was crafted by Joe Chandler. I don't know if Joe is even making razors any more, but at the time he made this one, his craftsmanship was widely praised among the wet shaving community. My particular razor is a simple, clean design, but that steel takes a wicked sharp/smooth edge and gives an amazing shave...
mine is also a W&B 8/8 FBU which I sniped on the Bay a while ago. It was the razor only. I put feathered horn scales on with bullseye pins. This was done by Glen. Very happy with it
Attachment 198076
It has changed over time.
I think the W&B ottoman is very rare and sought after. Ditto for the Mappin Lancet point in near mint condition.
There are a couple of others.
And snailforge razors in general of course. :p
Everyone has their own, but the same do pop up a lot. Mine are: Iwasaki western, WB Ottoman, Zowada Timahagane, and Mastro Livi.
I've got a couple of mine so far: a pair of Max Sprechers, a Jenes Dragon, and an Iwasaki Tamahagane. I will bring a couple to the meet next month.
I think this is my current grail...wish me luck [pipe dream...]
Korff and Honsburg Dos Angelitos...photo pinched from elsewhere, thanks OP!
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I would guess these two qualify as Holy Grails.
Here's one that went for $20,000 - $40,000 at auction:
Attachment 198152
And this one went for $10,000 I read:
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hello. getting it down to a single grail razor??? unlikely. personally I am after a western grind folding kamisori in mint condition. There are such razors available, indeed Jamie has recently been making me grind his teeth over his tombo, but they are relatively far between and pricey!
I have two "holy grail" razors. And I can't find them anywhere :L
The first is an Irish made razor, I saw one on a forum somewhere, if memory serves it was from McLelland in Belfast... I'd just love an Irish blade.
Secondly, is a "Souvenir of Frankfurt" Razor, I saw one somewhere as well, should have bought it at the time, I believe it was from Schultz.
I might get one of those eventually :L
My grail changes too much as i feel like the squirrel in the movie over the hedge...ooo look there is another cool one. I am a bit partial to worked back spines after i bought my first boker that looks like a 1056 w7th mint original scales(still searching for a w&b american razor) and heavy sheffield blades. As a client gave me a nos dubl duck 5/8 that beast got quiet...until i saw one of our members pist them redone with ebony scales...ugg too many options. As someone else said best, tastes change as you acquire and see new stuff
I quit looking for Holy grail blades yrs ago,IMO they do not exsist.
My HG blades today are the ones that give me the best shave,and they all were made in spain:)
This has now become my #2 holy grail razor, by Mr. Joe Edson.
Attachment 234206
I just obtained one of my holy grails...:rock:
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Wow, that's nice! I have a kamisori western grind style by Joe Edson and I really love that blade.
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To me it would be a hard decision since there are quite a few I would consider to fall under that category like those who forge their own steel like Bruno, Tim Zowada, Mastro Livi & a few other I can't think of right now. Also the one LegalBeagle showed made by Joe Chandler & the ones above made by Joe Edson.
As for the very rare old, hard to find W&B Ottoman & another one or two plus the really rare ones I have seen Zak manage to get his hands on also...........
My personnal graal was made of MK in mother of pearl, Cedric Christ custom, a fistful of strange framebacks, and the more gentlemen travel sets I can grab ! :p
I am into an older the better phase right now. so something in the 1780 to 1790's range in nice condition would do it for me . ATM. Lol.:)
After reading through this thread I've come to a conclusion... I can't decide on my grail razor! I think once I find my grail, my search and collecting (hoarding) may come to an end, so I'm not going to pick one! Although, a Boker 1056 in mint condition with original scales would come pretty close!
Attachment 235038Attachment 235039Jules Gervais with wide blade
Attachment 235042Hope the pic uploads
My 6/8" Wade & Butcher pre 1881 hollow ground with black horn scales shaves like a dream! I don't go so much for pretty but usable. I have a real nice Henry Sears & son 5/8" with a barber notch that is a real smooth shaver. Those type of razors are what they should be, well made tools.
Slawman
My Holy Grail razor is my Mastro Livi with custom stag scales. This is big and heavy but shaves smooth, close with no irritation. Just a pleasure to hold. Fits like part of my hand. I have another one coming that is Damascus with horn scales but I just love the stag scales. I have most ofAttachment 235675 the modern manufacturers and a fair amount of old razors but none hold a candle to this.
For sheer fear of dying poor, I have resisted posting in this thread, but I can only stand so much......<sigh>
I have but one "holy grail" razor, but it is in multiples.
One would be a cased 7 day set, each razor marked as such.
The second would be a pair of these razors in a 1700s'ish style Gentleman’s Necessary Kit. I might live long enough to build such a beast, but I cannot be sure of that, as these razors are not inexpensive.
The razor:
Attachment 235704
Quite a few years ago, I saw a listing for a Gentleman's or Officers necessary kit for sale/auction... It was of French origin, it had two ivory scaled razors, one pewter shaving soap dish/cover, ivory comb, hair brush, shaving brush, toothbrush, mirror (in the lid), and some other items I no longer recall. It was all inside a beautiful wood case, purple silk fitted interior and of course some sort of exotic figured wood... (I suspect walnut, probably English, but it's been so long... I cannot recall), unfortunately, I cannot find anything similar, pictured anywhere on the internet, using Google or any other known search engine (sigh... even DuckDuckGo let me down).
I really hope to find the time and money to build a similar kit.... Not because it's of any need, but rather just because..... Back in the "olden days" I was a gunsmith, well versed in working with figured wood, linseed oil finishes, hand rubbing.... fitting.... the list goes on. These old things are so beautiful to look at... you know the craftsmen who made it took the very best care when creating these items..... it's all gone today, CNC machining.... laser engraving.... yes, it looks great, but bah.... it's NOT hand made! As much as I love to tinker with computers and stuff... I *almost* hope there is an EMP event that knocks all this crap out... forcing us to go back to using our hands to make things... with no "Wheel of Fortune" to distract the brightest minds......
Regards
Kaptain "Retro Grouch" Zero
If he was to do a 7 day set for you, I would think he'd cut you a better overall price on the set, as oppose to price per individual razor. It would be interesting to see what kind of a deal you could negotiate with him.Quote:
For sheer fear of dying poor, I have resisted posting in this thread, but I can only stand so much......<sigh>
I have but one "holy grail" razor, but it is in multiples.
One would be a cased 7 day set, each razor marked as such.
The second would be a pair of these razors in a 1700s'ish style Gentleman’s Necessary Kit. I might live long enough to build such a beast, but I cannot be sure of that, as these razors are not inexpensive.