Thread: Robeson Cutlery Co razor

I believe those scales are hard rubber also known as ebonite and vulcanite. A very common scale material during the early 20th and late 19th centuries. I doubt they are bakelite but if they are be careful if you take them apart. Bakelite is very brittle. Gutta Percha was used during an earlier time frame than your razor say mid to the end of the 19th century. In my experience with antique firearms, where it was commonly used make hand gun grips among other things, it does not deteriorate like hard rubber.
As the hard rubber deteriorates it takes on that green brown color you see. Once the process starts it will continue. Steel wool and MAAS will probably not be aggressive enough to bring the scales back to their original black color but it will polish them up.
Interesting blade. Nice find.

Originally Posted by BeJay

Those scales look to be some form of Bakelite. Light sanding and poilishing will clean up the brown oxidation. The blade looks like it could be made into a decent shaver. I wouldn't recommend sending it out for a full on restoration because when all is said and done it wouldn't be worth the money that you would have to spend on it. The blade shows a good deal hone wear but should still take a nice edge and make a good shaver. I'd recommend cleaning up the blade and scales on your own and sending a out for honinig.

Yeah, when I get one that has that brownish look to them, I will first try to polish the scales with some Mothers or Maas. It usually works well & the rag will be brown from all that came off but getting around the pins is the main problem with polishing them. I have also disassembled one & just sanded them down, polished & reassembled the razor & it will look great! A few I have been successful in polishing the scales w/o having to disassemble the razor.
Good luck & nice find!

I have a Robeson that I'm not sure of as to its place in the company's history. They made the "Sure Edge" with the slogan "The Razor That Fits Your Face" and advertised how their various razors fit not just with one's face, but with one's temperament. One, for example, is for the "nervous" shaver!

At some point they shifted their product a bit and produced a razor, shown below, with the phrase "New Science Concave" etched on the blade, and it is a double-hollow ground. Mine is a stupendous shaver, I must say.

I post it here for your enjoyment, and in hopes someone knows where this razor fits in the company history.

I love the Robey's and collect them.

I've got two "NEW SCIENCE Concave" razors. One's a square point 5/8, the other is a round point 5/8.

They are good shavers indeed.