Thread: 18th century shaving

First shave with this razor. This was the most difficult razor I've honed due to the shape of the blade and the uneven thickness of the spine. I'm still not used to the lack of tail on the tang, it feels like I'm going to drop the razor.

Originally Posted by CamaroZ28

First shave with this razor. This was the most difficult razor I've honed due to the shape of the blade and the uneven thickness of the spine. I'm still not used to the lack of tail on the tang, it feels like I'm going to drop the razor.

Difficult to hone...Difficult to imagine a person shaving with this razor. How was the shave?

It was okay, wouldn't rank it as one of my top tens. I definitely have more of an appreciation for the advances in straight razor technology over the years.

If honed properly, the shave would amaze you, IMO.

I've cleaned up and honed a few, all have given some of my best shaves in comparison to modern steel.

Originally Posted by outback

If honed properly, the shave would amaze you, IMO.

I've cleaned up and honed a few, all have given some of my best shaves in comparison to modern steel.

I beg to differ. Shaving with these antiquities, especially in such worn out condition, is simply a novelty in my point of view. The thing is practically a toothpick! The quality of shave doesn't compare to say a modern full hollow with a tiny bevel.

Originally Posted by Badgister

I beg to differ. Shaving with these antiquities, especially in such worn out condition, is simply a novelty in my point of view. The thing is practically a toothpick! The quality of shave doesn't compare to say a modern full hollow with a tiny bevel.

I couldn't agree more in the condition of his, in comparison to the one's I'm talking about.

Originally Posted by outback

I couldn't agree more in the condition of his, in comparison to the one's I'm talking about.

So Mike, where does one find a razor such as yours? I'll bet they are difficult to find in that shape? Interesting how they are shaped!

Outback-those are some nice razors! After I won the bid I was a little worried that I might have bought a worn out piece of junk, it seemed like it went too cheap and I must have missed something. There defiantly is some wear on the razor but based on the dimensions of the blade in reference to the tang and how the blade sits in the scales it wasn't as worn out as I originally thought. It is hard to prove with 100% certainty but I think that this started out as a smaller razor. The tang is much thinner than anything I've seen and I don't see evidence of it being ground down.

I agree it falls into the novelty category, this one won't be part of my rotation for two reasons. First I don't want to drop it and destroy something over 200 years old. Second it is a pain to hone. So I'll probably use it a couple times a year but stick to the rest of my blades for daily use.

But you get big-time Man Points from me for having the guts to successfully hone and shave with that razor.

I 100% understand the desire to accept that challenge to hone and shave with a razor that is 200+ years old, just to have that experience and link with your ancestors.

It would be just a novelty only if you bought it and just looked at it. You got that, and raised it to an an actual lived history experience. Maybe you're not Thor Heyerdahl, but the instinct and motivation are similar on a small scale.

Straight razor people are just interesting people, I think.

Originally Posted by Johntoad57

So Mike, where does one find a razor such as yours? I'll bet they are difficult to find in that shape? Interesting how they are shaped!

One came from the wilds, one belongs to a member, two are by trade and barter.

All were in need of restoration.