Thread: Info on my new Mappin & Webb?

Hello all, I'm new to straight razor shaving, and having used a shavette for a while, I decided to take the plunge and get a proper straight razor, a 5/8ths full hollow Dovo, which I love! I recently decided to learn how to hone, so, not wanting to mangle the new Dovo, I went to Ebay, and for £20, I found the Mappin & Webb (I figured as it was cheap, I wouldn't mind if the honing went wrong)

Anyway, I was interested in finding out a bit more about the razor, from the research I've done, I think it may be from around 1890? The thing that confused me was that I came with a Fredrick Reynolds, Providence Works, Sheffield box, and the engraving and style of blade match some photos of Fredrick Reynolds razors I've seen, so if anyone can shed any light on this razor I would be very appreciative!

Do not go by the box. They are often lost and any box available is used.
Go through strazors.com for info an manufacturer.
Nice clean razor.

Welcome to SRP and good luck with the honing. Great feeling of accomplishment when you can hone your own.

Yep. What he said. The box is of no point. It may look like another razor but a mappin and webb is just that. M&W. As far as i know, no relation to Renolds. Ive got a 7 day set of Mappin and Webb. They seam easy to hone. Good luck on your quest and enjoy.

I have a similar Mappin and it holds a great edge, they are a fine razor. I'm not to good on site navigation on here but there may be a Mappin & Webb owners group on here- I know the Joseph Rodgers Jolly Rogers and Bengall Band of Brothers groups are great on information.

Oh cool, I'll have a search. Do you have any idea how old mine might be?

Welcome Monty,

The absence of England stamped on the tang would indicate that it was made before 1890.

Every other "Celebrated" Mappin Webb with special steel have been dressed in Ivory scales. I could be wrong (it's happened) but I would say yours has been rescaled.

Mappin Webb made some elegant and excellent razors back in the day (and are the current custodians of the Crown Jewels). A top shelf razor, IMO. Congrats!

Lovely razor, it should hone up fine and make a great shaver
As said the boxes got mixed up over the years, I have plenty in other makers boxes..

Originally Posted by Steel

Every other "Celebrated" Mappin Webb with special steel have been dressed in Ivory scales. I could be wrong (it's happened) but I would say yours has been rescaled.

Mappin Webb made some elegant and excellent razors back in the day (and are the current custodians of the Crown Jewels). A top shelf razor, IMO. Congrats!

Ah ok, thats very interesting, thanks! I'm pretty sure the scales are buffalo horn, and from the looks of them they are pretty old themselves, so if it was rescaled i would guess it was done a while ago.