Thread: Hawdcroft & Pearson 9/8 FBU...a work in progress...

Here's a Beauty that I'm working on:

9/8 FBU Hawcroft and Pearson

Founded in 1833, Hawcroft and Pearson, razor manufacturers in Eldon Street, Sheffield, began manufacturing razors in 1834. One partner was Samuel Pearson and the other was William Hawcroft, a master razor manufacturer. They continued until the partnership was dissolved in 1845; however William Hawcroft was first listed as a razor manufacturer in his own right in 1841.

Hawcroft razors are renowned for their quality and design, winning a Prize Medal in 1851 at the Great Exhibition, as well as the First Class Medal in Paris in 1855.
This is a prime example manufactured most likely in the late 1830’s. It is in such pristine condition with minimal to no hone wear, probably only ever having been honed just a couple of times in the last 175+ years. The bevel is the original edge. I quickly brought the edge back on a Frictionite ‘00’ barbers hone, stropped it up and got a simply wonderful shave with this big 9/8 For Barber’s Use razor.

I made the scales out of black/brown horn and used a lead wedge. I usually don't make the scales before the blade is finished, but in this case I can’t seem to decide whether to restore the blade…which would be very easy to do…or pin it up and leave it as is, covered with 175 years of Patina.

Please leave the patina, it looks wonderfully young for its age.

A huge beauty you have there It looks just fine as it is without any extra polishing, the choice is yours...

Originally Posted by outback

Please leave the patina, it looks wonderfully young for its age.

Originally Posted by 782sirbrian

A huge beauty you have there It looks just fine as it is without any extra polishing, the choice is yours...

Thanks guys! This really is 'wonderfully young' Outback. If I could take better pictures you would get a much better idea of how pristine it really looks. I pulled this out of one of my boxes about 4 months ago, so you get an idea of my dilemma as far as "Restore or Not Restore"!

Oh, but I do see how pristine.
I look at some real ugly's all the time, and make that decision often. Yours was a very quick, and justifiable decision. IMHO

That's the beauty of that blade, untouched for so many years, yet perfect.
Wish my ol lady aged like that.[emoji56]

Nice work! If it were me I would leave the patina as well!

Originally Posted by Martin103

Nice work! If it were me I would leave the patina as well!

I'm really leaning that way with this one Martin. I have maybe 8 or 10 really old vintage blades with this kind of patina, that are 'too nice' as is to restore. Surprisingly, 3 of them are Hawcroft & Pearson blades.

I can't help but believe all is well here with a coat of wax as the restoration should actually be preservation on this one. I have only one old razor with perfect natural patina. It is absolutely beautiful the way it is.

Leave the patina or I will be very very angry.

Originally Posted by RezDog

I can't help but believe all is well here with a coat of wax as the restoration should actually be preservation on this one. I have only one old razor with perfect natural patina. It is absolutely beautiful the way it is.

Yes sir, it sure is, Rez.
And it shaves a treat.

Thanks for sharing it with me, and the others.