Masonic truth,faith,hope & charity razor

Morning all!
Two weeks back i lost a bid on Ebay for an antique straight razor that had masonic symbol carvings on the horn scales.
Carved on both sides of the scales were the words, "Truth & Faith" on one side and
"Hope & Charity" on the other.
On the tang it had just "London" stamped on.
A gorgeous antique.
I was a bit gutted i lost the bid but while in Edinburgh yesterday hunting for razors, i found one but this time " I. Hall" stamped on the tang.
So now i have it, gave it a clean and soaking in Neatsfoot oil.
Can anyone please give some history on these?
I will post pics of both, the one i lost (London)in the bid is the darker of the two.
Thank you!
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I'm amazed that you saw two sets of those scale in two weeks. And both in great condition. I think perhaps you were meant to have them.

Good find! The pressed horn scales look very nice and in good condition. That said according to Steve Shakleford guide on knifes and judge Lummus the I. Hall trademarks belongs to Jonathan Hall, Sheffield 1795-1830.

Jonathan Hall also had the trademark "Gratian" on earlier razors if it is indeed the same maker. A somewhat popular trademark because of George Washington razor. http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...an-1900-a.html

Hi! Thank you for your replies and info.
The only mark on the tang are i. Hall and those on the scales.
I agree that i was meant to have one of them.
The one i bid on and lost sold for £87, the one i bought yesterday only cost £25 so was a bargain and a lucky great find.
So if i am correct in reading your post, it could have been made between 1795-1830 by J.Hall?

Yes but from the look of the blade I would say closer to 1830, either way a good looking razor close to 200 years old, Enjoy!

Awesome! Thank you Martin!

Great find and if that razor could talk!!!!! Get that baby restored and proudly display it or maybe even use it with care! Thanks for sharing.

Cheers Michael, working on restoring it, blade just needs sanding, scales just a soaking in oil, not going to sand them in fear of taking off carving, then new rods & washers, peening & honing. Then display case amongst the rest ;) lol

I couldn't just display that beauty of a stubby. I would have to hone it up and shave with it just once, at least.

Bob

Thanks Bob, that was the plan lol ;)

If you look closely at the scales (you may need a loupe) you may be able to see a set of initials pressed into the horn. At the time scales would have been likely made by a hafter from a separate firm, and with the pressed horn scales they often put some initials in a tiny spot. Zak (Voidmonster) has a lot of knowledge there.

Indeed, these old pressed horn scales are another of my hobbies, though the research for them is very thin on the ground.

I can name four families who signed their work in some form: Woofindin, Morton, Broadwell, and Wilson.

The latter three will all be represented by their family name somewhere on the design.

The Woofindins were a little sneakier, and they integrated their initials somewhere, usually almost microscopically small. I've seen both IW and VW (for John and Verdon Woofindin -- using I for J was a common stylistic choice in the early 1800's and before).

Both razors likely date to 1810-1830. Neither was made prior to 1800.

More likely than not the blades were purchased by the scale-pressers and sold separately from the original manufacturer, but the best I can do there is guess because I've never found any period documentation about that sort of decorative pressed horn scales.

However, I've seen a lot of them. It wasn't at all uncommon for one presser to copy the design of another, usually with an inferior version of the same design.

It looks like your Jonathan Hall is sporting the original scales that were copied for that London-marked razor.

London, rather than telling you where it was made, was instead a trademark of Samuel Lindley of Attercliff. There's little-to-no documentation on Lindley. He's listed in Gales & Martin's 1787 Sheffield directory, and I'm pretty certain the London razor in the picture was made a good deal later than that. 1805-1820, give or take.

Well guys, thank you soo much! Thats very interesting to know what you all have put in. Awesome!
So far i can only see what looks like a "G" in the middle of the sun type object on the carving.
I am leaving it to soak a while in Neatsfoot oil for a good few days.
If i am successful in restoring it, i will up date this thread. Hopefully in a week from now.
Thank you very much for all your help and info!
Best regards,
Gabe

Here are some pics of the restoration so far.....
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More work needs done to the blade, it is shave ready and will be using it next ;)

That looks SUPER SWEET!!!
Great job on it.
Glad to such an old razor being brought to useful life!

:chapeau:tu

Thanks Willisf! ;)

Great to see that old blade shaving again. Remarkable condition for age.

I doubt that the "G" in the sun has anything to do with the maker. The letter "G" is very much incorporated into Masonry although it is usually found within the square and compasses symbol. The G within the square and compasses I think is a much later symbol than your razor. I've got some mid 19th Cent Masonic etched razors that are totally devoid of the "G".

Either way, your razor is definitely a very nice one.

Slan'
Willie

Wullie, so it's 1810-1830?
Anyway, just shaved with it! Loved it!