Thread: W & T Marsh Old English early pre Marshes & Shepherd c1820?

Originally Posted by sharptonn

TBH, I think that is long-grained hickory?

Thanks, could very well be hickory. Certainly a strong wood great for tool handles and prominent all along the east coast. Hot this from a guy in PA but not sure it originates there. Who knows...

Originally Posted by Voidmonster

Definitely early-to-mid 1820's. It's amusing to see the Marsh brothers were in on the Old English thing too. Sheffield trades talked like it was John Barber's mark, but I think in reality it was a generic and Barber was just the one to popularize it. The first ad I've found for that slogan is this one:

The slogan goes back before Barber or the Marsh's careers. The first ad I found is from 1818 and is promoting Rodgers' Old English razors. The first John Barber ad is from 1821. More than anything, it was a style of razor with a tall, squared spine, a very particular heel and typically a long-cut shoulder. I'm a sucker for'em, myself.

I have another similar shaped "Marsh Bros, Sheffield" razor that has "...shave well" remnants as well. Agree most of these were promotions used apparently by many of the larger cutlers.

Originally Posted by ajkenne

Thanks, could very well be hickory. Certainly a strong wood great for tool handles and prominent all along the east coast. Hot this from a guy in PA but not sure it originates there. Who knows...

Would not be the first razor from up in Pennsylvania with those!

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Would not be the first razor from up in Pennsylvania with those!

Be careful - Philadelphia was also a region just outside of Sheffield.

Yes, I know that!
Seriously it's a Greaves Philadelphia razor I bought out of Pennsylvania, a real rust-bucket.
Tossed the iron nails, sanded and minwaxed the scales and pinned it back up with some old steel collars.
A friend from Philly wanted it, so back to Pennsylvania it went!