Thread: my first Greaves

Picked up this Greaves yesterday while on my travels at my favorite Antique shop for $10.00. The blade is in good condition, though there is a bit of hone wear...nothing terrible. Minimal rust, and just some grime that I need to continue to try to buff out. The scales are obviously homemade. I may replace them, or try to sand them down a bit and try and salvage them. Someone put some time into making these scales, and thought they didn't do a good job, I'd like to see if I can improve on their work if possible. Honestly, I'm trying to make my first set of scales, and I'm not sure I could do much better! Anyway, The scales appear to be old. Excited about my first Greaves- should shave well.

I took a close-up of the tang for age identification. Can anyone assist me here, or point me in the right direction here at SRP where I can find out roughly how old this razor is? Thanks!

Look on strazors.com there is info. Real nice catch.

Sweet find! Have some similar homemade looking wood scales on my old James Barlow. Took some 0000 steel wool and Flitz and buffed them up a little and they look nice.

Like you, I think about the possible time and effort someone took many years ago to keep their razor usable and if possible I try to keep it as is.

Nice straight! I have a W. Greaves & Sons 6/8" near wedge that does not have Sheffield or England on it Just Sheaf Works. Got to get some scales made for this great old blade!

Dave Huffman

Sorry for the bad Pics. Will get some better ones in a bit. I like those scales. A re pin would be the only thing i would do & might not even do that.

Dave Huffman

William Greaves started Sheaf Works in 1823 & they went on until 1831 so it is most likely from the late 1820's or early 1830's. William Greaves died in 1830. There is a lot of information in my Sheffield Directory but if you go to the main SRP page & look at the bottom, Zak did an article on them or the link is right here:

Straight Razor Place - A brief history of William Greaves & Sons

I have a few Greaves, some earlier Greaves razors & some later.

Nice catch. In addition to the wood scales it looks like it was reground at some point. Can you post a picture that shows the grind?

Originally Posted by BeJay

Nice catch. In addition to the wood scales it looks like it was reground at some point. Can you post a picture that shows the grind?

here ya go...

Originally Posted by engine46

William Greaves started Sheaf Works in 1823 & they went on until 1831 so it is most likely from the late 1820's or early 1830's. William Greaves died in 1830. There is a lot of information in my Sheffield Directory but if you go to the main SRP page & look at the bottom, Zak did an article on them or the link is right here:

Straight Razor Place - A brief history of William Greaves & Sons

I have a few Greaves, some earlier Greaves razors & some later.

The company dissolved in 1850. By shape that is most likely not an early 1830s razor, but later. It has definitely seen some grinding wheels after being made.

Well, I honed it up and shaved with it yesterday. Wow, what a nice smooth shave. Probably a combination of good steel and my progress at honing in general. The razor didn't skip at all, and zero irritation to my skin. A top favorite razor in my collection now...