Thread: Show us your thumbnotches!

Originally Posted by engine46

Here's one for now but I know I have one more of these plus I have more than likely quite a few with thumb notches only.

This one I think is an early American maker, James Wilks Ju??, Baltimore. I have never found anything on them but I don't think I ever looked no further than my Goins Encyclopedia. It has horn scales. They look to be original or it has been repinned long, long ago but it looks original to me, (as if never removed from the scales). What is puzzling about this one is the blade sticks out just a little at the bottom which is why I thought the scales had been changed at first. They are warped some but aside from that, look old but good condition. They might or might not be original. There is no slop in the pivot so I think it has a 3/32" pivot hole with 3/32" brass rod for pins. Not a problem, I have some. Both upper & lower notches have jimps or file marks for easier grip. I believe it will be a future project. I've had it a long time & never did anything with it yet. It already feels like it won't take long to put an edge on it.

I'm guessing it's made in Sheffield and stamped for the retailer (this was common). There's a hit for a James Wilks running a hardware business in Baltimore in the 1800s, I'd bet that's where it was sold.

Marshes & Shepherd Ponds Works Sheffield
WR Crown 1830-1837

Turned out nice indeed!!!

Heljestrand I believe has some of the finest thumb-notch razors but I believe my Great Great Grandfather's W&B is no slouch either!

I admire the double thumb notch Greaves

Found this Wade & Butcher at an antiques store today. There's a chip in the edge that will need to get honed out, and the scales were replaced at some point. I will be putting better scales on it in the future, probably horn with a lead wedge. I figured it might be a while until I see another like it at that store, and the price was really good, so I couldn't pass it up.

I feel left out. 45 razors now and not one thumb notch! Now I got to buy another razor or three.

Try harder, Jerry. My razor count is 1/3 of yours yet I have 2 with thumbnotches.

Guess i didnt have a clue when i started what to look for. Getting better now. Im now starting to get picky about what i buy. Now where is that thumb notch for sale.

Razor made for retailer John Bagshaw, Liverpool. Likely one from a Sheffield Maker.