Thread: looking for some help with info on an old blade

hey everyone, so I'm new to the forum here, I've got an old blade that I'm hoping to find out more about it. I posted on a different forum looking for info but haven't seen much, I figure the more eyes, the better.

Here is what I posted on the other forum, with the info, pics, and my thoughts on it:

So I recently picked up a old straight off the bay, took a chance on what I thought it might be. The seller didn't know much about it. I was wondering if anyone else had any insights on it.

but here's what I gather and estimate about it. it's got black horn scales, almost straight (slight warping), with an inlayed little metal "1" on it, the blade is straight through with no real heel or shoulder, a slight change where the edge starts, but that's about it. it's a full wedge grind with a slight smile as seen in pics, though I didn't get a pic of the end for the grind, but I can add that later. There is a slight hollow in the curvature of the blade itself, and it measures roughly 4/8. the tang is short and stubby, and somewhat flattened. There is a maker mark but it is mostly worn away from age.


Here's a couple quick pics:
front open:



back open:



front closed:



closeup of maker mark (the seller thought it might say "Sheffield" but that doesn't look like 2 F's after the E, I think it might say "SHEPHERD" or "SHEPHARD" its hard to tell) I used some harsh sidelighting on this to try and bring out the details, but I want to try a few more angles of the light to see if I can get anything more.



From what I can gather, I believe it to be late 1700's or maybe very early 1800's (maybe 1780-1810ish, probably closer to the 1790-1800 era), almost certainly pre 1810. according to Lummus in the article "old sheffield razors" published in 1922, there are a few descriptions and images that correspond to this estimation of the late 1700's. The shape, size and design of the blade also corresponds to other blades that are verified from the late 1700's, which lends some backing to that date estimation as well.


however this is my first real antique straight, so I'm no pro at dating these, so any additional help, or suggestions is appreciated. Thanks!

this is also the condition I received it in, I haven't touched it for any cleaning or anything else.

and someone over there offered this help:

It was probably one of a pair, hence the "1" on the scales.

There was also a well known maker called Marshes and Shepherd but don't think it's connected.

John Shepherd, Holles Croft St., Sheffield, 1770-1795.
Edward Shepherd, Sheffield, 1787.
Robert Shepherd, Norfolk St., Sheffield, 1787.

I seem to remember that John Shepherd used the "Wolf" brand on his razors so I'd say it'd be either Edward Shepherd or Robert Shepherd.

But other than that it seems to be more of a mystery than anything else. if anyone here might have some info or thoughts, it'd be much appreciated.

It could be Shepherd or Shepherd Warranted but the book gives no dates. It's possible it might be a pre-1800's but definitely early 1800's. That was in my Goins Encyclopedia but in my Tweedales Directory, there was a Benjamin Shepherd on Norfolk Street in 1816. There is also a John Shepherd but his trademark is a crown with the word "Wolf" under it like the one ScienceGuy has here:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/show-...ml#post1270876

The book says George Shephard but George later acquired it from John who retired or died in the late 1920's & George sold the firm to John Barber.
Its sad because it looks like it might have been rusted at one time & someone might have touched it up on a belt sander rendering the makers mark less visible.

Thanks!

yeah there is also a J. Shephard listed around 1817, but not much info on him, I think post 1810 makers are probably not the shepherds from this blade (assuming that's what it says). I've seen blades stamped just "Shepherd" that have a similar design, but most of those have been upper/lower case "Shepherd" where this one appears like its all caps. (http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...-question.html)

I don't know if someone along the line tried to clean it up, although its not rough and it doesn't look sanded, the marks on the blade in the close up pic are very accentuated by the lighting I used for the photo, I lit it like that to try and make any additional details stand out. I even thought about doing some infrared imaging on it :lol: but I doubt that would give much if any information.

Originally Posted by Aloicious

Thanks!

yeah there is also a J. Shephard listed around 1817, but not much info on him, I think post 1810 makers are probably not the shepherds from this blade (assuming that's what it says). I've seen blades stamped just "Shepherd" that have a similar design, but most of those have been upper/lower case "Shepherd" where this one appears like its all caps. (http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...-question.html)




I don't know if someone along the line tried to clean it up, although its not rough and it doesn't look sanded, the marks on the blade in the close up pic are very accentuated by the lighting I used for the photo, I lit it like that to try and make any additional details stand out. I even thought about doing some infrared imaging on it :lol: but I doubt that would give much if any information.

I understand. My camera is an 8 mp & the macro setting on it gets everything! My iPhone is the same, 8 MP.