Thread: John Rawson Vintage Blades

I recently got a hold of this boxed set of razors.

So far I have found little info on them.

One of the blades is chipped and they appear to be plastic scales and tang.

The box is coromandel and beautiful .

What is a bit strange is how one blade says : John Rawson Kohinoor Warranted

The other says : John Rawson Kokinoor Warrented

According to the invisible edge :Razors made between 1740 - 1830 were sometimes marked with the words 'warranted'

THat is a neat pair love the blade shapes, odd bit about the names. Cant wait to see them done

Those plastic scales look like decent imitation ivory, especially with the collarless pinning. Nice set.

I think the scales might be ivory ? One way or the other, the chips can be ground out, honed out. The other razor has some black corrosion at the bevel. Hone it to make sure you get to good steel at the bevel. If the pitting is too deep you end up with a swiss cheese edge. Beautiful set though.

The scales have no grain...
I can't get them back out at the moment.
My girlfriend is home and I have yet to confess to my purchases

Nice looking razors, with what look like Ivory scales and covered tang... I bet they will be awkward to strop with the spine shape
The Kohinoor name crops up on a number of razors, I wonder if different Sheffield makers used the same name, I have one with an Irish or French point. The Kohinoor is a large Diamond, set in one of the crown jewels displayed in the tower of London.

Interesting...

I've just been working with ivory and although the pictures do actually look like ivory , in hand they are just plastic...
Kinda strange .

Unfortunately these will not get a look in apart from some 400 grit to remove initial rust and see the damage underneath.

I am doing a restoration on a Merkur for a friend and that takes presidency at the moment ...

Also sanding that spine will be awkward :/

That is a wonderful pair of razors. If they are as old as 1830 I have my doubts that the scales and tang covers are plastic. They are older razors looking at how straight the scales are and the tails are almost stubby. Ivory does not necessarily have to display grain. That depends on where in the tusk it was taken from and how it was sawn. Ivory scales are thinner than plastic ones too. Good luck in putting them back into service as they look to be well worth the effort.

Bob

Originally Posted by JOB15

The scales have no grain...
I can't get them back out at the moment.
My girlfriend is home and I have yet to confess to my purchases

It is always better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission ..........

Wonderful pair and box, I truly believe that this pair is from 1840's plus reason being that John Rawson was born around 1820 in Brampton close to Chesterfield , and was working as a razor manufacturer by 1841 on Wellington Street.In 1850 he became partners with Charles Youle on Carver Street, short lived business with Youle and Rawson was back on his own in 1861. He died in 1883.




Furthermore, I'm wondering if by any chance that this John Rawson wasn't somewhat related to the 2nd Master cutler from the 1600's...