Thread: Wostenholm "Rattler"

Hello All,

Wondering if anyone was information about the approximate date of this 6/8" Wostenholm faux frameback "rattler" grind razor. I restored it and kept the handmade wood scales. It shaves like a dream.

Here's a link to some manufacturer's dates of operation:
Straight Razor Manufacturers and Dates of Operation

You'll find this:

WOSTENHOLM, GEORGE
Sheffield
1797 - 1823 ("Old Sheffield Razors" by Lummus. Antiques, December 1922 p.261-267)

GEORGE WOSTENHOLM & SON
Successors to George Wostenholm in 1823 ("Old Sheffield Razors" by Lummus. Antiques, December 1922 p.261-267)
Rockingham Works ca. 1694 - 1847
Washington Works, Sheffield ca. 1847 - at least 1991

I'd need a better look at the tang, but judging on the stub tail and the stamp, I'd say there's a fair chance that it's early 19th century, probably 1820

There's two , center, right of the fold. And a couple more on the other pics.
Hope this helps..

I am sure it is just a coincidence but I have a Rattler made by W. R. Morley and Sons, Germany

Originally Posted by Tony A

I am sure it is just a coincidence but I have a Rattler made by W. R. Morley and Sons, Germany

That's a bellied, hollow grind. His is a faux frameback.
A true rattler is ground lengthwise from tang to toe, and the blades are very thin.

Originally Posted by outback

That's a bellied, hollow grind. His is a faux frameback.
A true rattler is ground lengthwise from tang to toe, and the blades are very thin.

The term was both a specific grind and a descriptive term for the sound of shaving with it. I've seen a goodly number of other hollow ground razors etched with some variety of 'Rattler' (barber's rattler, special rattler, etc).