Ford & Medley Razor - any history? & Fine Hollow - meaning?

Hello!

Complete newbie here. Just purchased my first straight razor (should be with me in a few days).

The razor is a Ford & Medley, made in Sheffield England. The seller described it as: fully restored 1920s FORD & MEDLEY 6/8 Hollow. The ebay link is:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Straight-...p2047675.l2557

I'm looking for 2 things:

1) Any info or history about this company. All I really know is from this site:

STRAZORS.com - all about classic razors - Ford & Medley, Sheffield.

2) What kind of grind it has. I asked the seller if Hollow meant that it was full hollow ground, but he replied that 'It is a fine hollow fine ground blade' - which I don't understand. (I understand the terms full wedge, quarter hollow, half hollow, full hollow and extra hollow, but where on this scale does fine hollow sit?)

Any help much appreciated :)

It is hard to tell how hollow it is from those pictures, but it will be hollow ground. Without an end view it is har to say, it could be anywhere from half hollow to full hollow, unlikely it is a bellied, or extra hollow.
For the longest time my favourite grind was half hollow. It should be a good beginners razor if it is truly shave ready. I have zero knowledge of the seller.

Thanks for your reply RezDog. I'm glad you think it should be a good beginners razor. It was a bit of an impulse buy tbh, but I was working on the advice that I should try for a 5/8, 1/4-1/2 hollow with a round point as a starter razor. I'm not sure if you spotted it, but the 1st picture has a small end view shot in the top left hand corner. Apologies if you had already clocked that.
Attachment 313198

This may help you decide what grind it is https://shavelibrary.com/w/The_strai...ths_and_grinds .

I always have a hard time deciding what grind but it is either full or half hollow grind at a guess.

Bob

I saw that but it’s not a great pic of the grind.

Welcome to SRP.

Looks like a nice razor, it appears to be half hollow. The seller has good feedback and churns out a lot of razors so hopefully it will be shave ready.

Have a look in the library https://shavelibrary.com/
Its a wealth of information that will put you on the right path.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BobH

This may help you decide what grind it is https://shavelibrary.com/w/The_strai...ths_and_grinds .

I always have a hard time deciding what grind but it is either full or half hollow grind at a guess.

Bob

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Thanks for the link Bob. Interesting info there - I had no idea there were so many different types of grinds....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DayCaesar

Thanks for the link Bob. Interesting info there - I had no idea there were so many different types of grinds....

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You are welcome. When it comes to straight razors there is something for everyone when it comes to grinds. They all will work though.

Bob

Quote:

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Originally Posted by markbignosekelly

Welcome to SRP.

Looks like a nice razor, it appears to be half hollow. The seller has good feedback and churns out a lot of razors so hopefully it will be shave ready.

Have a look in the library https://shavelibrary.com/
Its a wealth of information that will put you on the right path.

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Thanks for the welcome and the shave library link, and yes, fingers crossed about the razor. I took the plunge after seeing the sellers feedback. He seems to have been restoring and honing razors for many years, so I'm optimistic about it being shave ready...

A few years back I restored one I thought would never shave again. It’s now one of my favorite shavers. Very good razors. I believe they also supplied the British army during the First World War. Most seem to date from 1900-1920. Mine is full hollow.

https://sharprazorpalace.com/custom-...tined-bin.html

That looks like a great restoration job you did on your Ford & Medley. Interesting that they were supplied to the British Army during the First World War. I think I read a post somewhere else where some letters and numbers on the scales could be decoded to show the army / war department that had commissioned them. If I come across that post again, I'll share.

Fingers crossed that mine gives as good a shave as yours :)