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Thread: John Watts frameback

  1. #1
    Senior Member blabbermouth
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    Default John Watts frameback

    Found this one in the wild. I’ve not heard of the manufacturer and the only markings are “John Watts - Sheffield”.

    It’d my first frameback and I’d appreciate any info folks might be able to provide about its origin.

    I will try to clean it up and make it shave ready. I believe you hone this grind pretty much the same way you hone any razor, so that’s how I’ll proceed unless I hear different.

    The scales feel quite flexible and the wedge appears to be of the same material. I have no idea what that material is, but it feels a bit like leather and is in quite good condition.
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    David
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    ― Spider Robinson, Callahan's Crosstime Saloon

  2. #2
    www.edge-dynamics.com JOB15's Avatar
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    Default

    I think the scales are cardboard if memory serves.

    Hone as normal but your gonna have to get through to some decent steel.


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    Senior Member blabbermouth RezDog's Avatar
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    They seem like cardboard but I believe they are boiled leather. I have a set on a Hunter razor at home. Richard spotted them as boiled leather. They look the same as the ones on your frame back.
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    Quote Originally Posted by RezDog View Post
    They seem like cardboard but I believe they are boiled leather. I have a set on a Hunter razor at home. Richard spotted them as boiled leather. They look the same as the ones on your frame back.
    I have no idea what the scales would have looked like originally. If they are leather, can I use a leather treatment to bring some shine/protection to them or is that going to take away from the heritage look? I’m thinking about mink oil or Dubbin.
    David
    “Shared sorrow is lessened, shared joy is increased”
    ― Spider Robinson, Callahan's Crosstime Saloon

  7. #5
    Senior Member blabbermouth RezDog's Avatar
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    That I do not know. There are likely some threads about them somewhere around here. I cannot do a site search from this device or I would help you look.
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  8. #6
    www.edge-dynamics.com JOB15's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by RezDog View Post
    They seem like cardboard but I believe they are boiled leather. I have a set on a Hunter razor at home. Richard spotted them as boiled leather. They look the same as the ones on your frame back.
    I remember, yes..
    I have one somewhere.

  9. #7
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    Found this https://sharprazorpalace.com/worksho...Leather+scales

    Glen seems to think simple shoe polish ought to be enough.
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    David
    “Shared sorrow is lessened, shared joy is increased”
    ― Spider Robinson, Callahan's Crosstime Saloon

  10. #8
    Senior Member blabbermouth
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    Apparently John Watts framebacks aren’t so rare. There a few mentions in fora on SRP.

    Did a web search and found this reference to the company: John Watts Ltd.

    They were in business until 1999, but I’m pretty sure my razor pre-dates that.
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    David
    “Shared sorrow is lessened, shared joy is increased”
    ― Spider Robinson, Callahan's Crosstime Saloon

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