Thread: Rare razors

Wow,,,
Just sayin......

Originally Posted by MikeB52

Wow,,,
Just sayin......

You think you're just sayin'....well I'm saying as well...wow!

It is a monster. The scales are humongous. Have not even tried to hone it. Should get it out and clean it.
Take newer and better pics. It IS a sight!

Originally Posted by Phrank

You think you're just sayin'....well I'm saying as well...wow!

WOWEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!

I take back what I said earlier about the experimental Stodart alloys looking about the same as any other steel. Mind you, I haven't gotten a good picture of it because it's a challenge to photograph, but as it turns out, both iridium osmium and rhodium alloyed steels are visibly brighter than regular steel. Whiter. Regular Sheffield steel has a very faint yellow cast to it when laid next to either of the experimental alloys.

And yeah, those razors definitely belong here.



So far I've only honed the iridium osmium (because it was the one that had a chance of causing toxic gas if the osmium in the swarf vaporized into osmium tetroxide). Unlike pretty much any old Sheffield razor I've got it took an edge polish down to a quarter micron and it shaves incredibly.

These were sold on eBay for a pittance, but I tracked them down to a major eBay seller, Tony Holmes, and I offered him a wheelbarrow of cash for them. He knew exactly what they were though and didn't want to sell. Which was fine by me, they were being appreciated for what they are. But a year later and that wheelbarrow of cash looked more useful to him, but by then I was neck-deep in moving and didn't have the spare money anymore.

SO many thanks to him for holding onto them until I could make good on my original offer. They are my most cherished razors, bar none.

Those are very fascinating Zak! Thank you very much for sharing along with the info.

There are quite a few very interesting old razors in this thread. I'll throw out 2 that while not really rare are probably pretty scarce.

The first is a George Ibbertson made with Firth Stainless steel and sold through T Eaton Co in Canada in the 1930s is my guess and only a guess.







The second is a Puma 18 probably originally an 8/8 but now slightly under with a French nose. Original scales were broken and I had it rescaled in black horn to original shape.



Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

There are quite a few very interesting old razors in this thread. I'll throw out 2 that while not really rare are probably pretty scarce.

The first is a George Ibbertson made with Firth Stainless steel and sold through T Eaton Co in Canada in the 1930s is my guess and only a guess.







The second is a Puma 18 probably originally an 8/8 but now slightly under with a French nose. Original scales were broken and I had it rescaled in black horn to original shape.



Bob

That's a rare razor Bob early stainless steel.

Geo. Ibberson "Firths Stainless" Straight Razor, Sheffield

This is a very nice vintage razor made by the celebrated Sheffield firm of George Ibberson.* It was made from Firth's Stainless steel, and the two combine to make it a bit of a museum piece.* First we will talk about George Ibberson.

The Ibberson name first found mention in cutlery records in 1666. Joseph Ibberson was a Master Cutler in 1759.* In the late 1700s John and George Ibberson were knife makers.* However, we are concerned with the George Ibberson, born around 1835.* George was apprenticed to Joseph Rodgers & sons but in 1871 he set up with Albert Wilson to form Wilson & Ibberson, Exchange Gateway, Fargate, Sheffield.* In 1874 George set up his own business in West Street, at the Central Works.* IN the 1880s the now famous violin corporate mark was purchased from John C. Skinner.* George died aged 64 in 1899, and Joseph William Ibberson took control.* In 1911 they moved to Rockingham Street.* They did well to survive the war period, making a film in 1926 and employing such well-known craftsmen as forger Ted Swinden, Bill Thackray who hardened, tempered and set the marks and Ted Osborne and his now famous apprentice Stan Shaw.* The company survived WW" as well, but was taken over in the 1980s by British Syphons Industries.*

This razor was made from the comparatively new alloy of stainless steel.* Firth Brown Steels made the steel - it was a merger between Thomas Brown & Co and Thomas Firth & Sons. The now famous Harry Brearley formulated the first stainless steel while working in the Firth Brown labs in 1912, going into production in 1913 and being well established by 1915.* However, WW1 slowed down research into the new 'marvel' alloy.* Ibberson's were sent the first samples. It was called 'rustless' at first, then 'stainless'.* The early 'rustless' steel was OK for cutlery and flatware, but not so good for razors.* However, reserach continued and by the time the name changed to rustless and Harry had left Firth-Brown it was a fine steel for razors.* I would date the razor as mid to late 1920s - I wouldn't be at all surprised if it coincided with the release of the Ibberson film in 1926.

What a list of luminaries of the razor world are encompassed by this razor - Ibbersons, Firth-Brown, Harry Brearley, Stan Shaw, etc, etc.

This is a hard thread to browse, way too many nice razors that I just wish I had!

Originally Posted by celticcrusader

That's a rare razor Bob early stainless steel.

Geo. Ibberson "Firths Stainless" Straight Razor, Sheffield

This is a very nice vintage razor made by the celebrated Sheffield firm of George Ibberson.* It was made from Firth's Stainless steel, and the two combine to make it a bit of a museum piece.* First we will talk about George Ibberson.

The Ibberson name first found mention in cutlery records in 1666. Joseph Ibberson was a Master Cutler in 1759.* In the late 1700s John and George Ibberson were knife makers.* However, we are concerned with the George Ibberson, born around 1835.* George was apprenticed to Joseph Rodgers & sons but in 1871 he set up with Albert Wilson to form Wilson & Ibberson, Exchange Gateway, Fargate, Sheffield.* In 1874 George set up his own business in West Street, at the Central Works.* IN the 1880s the now famous violin corporate mark was purchased from John C. Skinner.* George died aged 64 in 1899, and Joseph William Ibberson took control.* In 1911 they moved to Rockingham Street.* They did well to survive the war period, making a film in 1926 and employing such well-known craftsmen as forger Ted Swinden, Bill Thackray who hardened, tempered and set the marks and Ted Osborne and his now famous apprentice Stan Shaw.* The company survived WW" as well, but was taken over in the 1980s by British Syphons Industries.*

This razor was made from the comparatively new alloy of stainless steel.* Firth Brown Steels made the steel - it was a merger between Thomas Brown & Co and Thomas Firth & Sons. The now famous Harry Brearley formulated the first stainless steel while working in the Firth Brown labs in 1912, going into production in 1913 and being well established by 1915.* However, WW1 slowed down research into the new 'marvel' alloy.* Ibberson's were sent the first samples. It was called 'rustless' at first, then 'stainless'.* The early 'rustless' steel was OK for cutlery and flatware, but not so good for razors.* However, reserach continued and by the time the name changed to rustless and Harry had left Firth-Brown it was a fine steel for razors.* I would date the razor as mid to late 1920s - I wouldn't be at all surprised if it coincided with the release of the Ibberson film in 1926.

What a list of luminaries of the razor world are encompassed by this razor - Ibbersons, Firth-Brown, Harry Brearley, Stan Shaw, etc, etc.

Great info, Jamie! Wherever did you find that?