Thread: Johnson Western Works Sheffield

Well, Mike is very modest. He, being the horn repair master makes it look easy. That notwithstanding with some moderate effort and the right method horn can be miraculously transformed. I learned most if not all of what I know about it from Mike and the "What Are You Working On" thread.

There are a couple of reasons why those razors look similar. Part of it is just a style. You notice how looking at cars from the 30s they all look very similar and so do those from the 40s, 50s etc. There's a certain paradigm that manufactured goods follow at a specific time. The other reason is that many of those grinders were taking in contract work. A grinder might work primarily for Wade and Butcher but might also take work in on the side from a smaller company, or someone who was not yet a free man may get some work on the side that his master let him take if he was benevolent. So the same grinder who made Wade and Butcher might also make eyewitness or James Johnson razors. At least this is my understanding of how that worked in Sheffield from what I've read. I do know for sure that it was that way in Germany. ERN ground most if not all of the razors for J.A Henckels at one point as well as producing their own.

Originally Posted by PaulFLUS

Well, Mike is very modest. He, being the horn repair master makes it look easy..

It's not just scales that Mike is crazy good at, I received 4 razors from Mike just after I started shaving with a straight. They were all laser honed shave ready and although I only use each razor in my rotation about once a month now as i shave every other day (so I have shaved maybe 30 times with them and I don't grow thick stiff stubble), those four razors haven't touched one of my stones and still shave as well as they did when I received them almost 2 years ago. Probably better because now i know how to shave!

I’ve decided to keep the original scales as Mike and Paul suggest.

I really like the idea of using manicure equipment to polish the scales, but that will have to wait until I can remove them. They need a fair amount of cleaning and some reshaping that is most effectively done after they are separated from the razor and wedge.

Thank you all for the input.

I’m also trying to source the 3M metal restorer Mike recommended. It seems to be hard to locate in Canada.

Originally Posted by DZEC

I’m also trying to source the 3M metal restorer Mike recommended. It seems to be hard to locate in Canada.

Amazon is your friend.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

Amazon is your friend.

Bob

True, but Mr. Bezos ticks me off and I’d rather support a small business.

Originally Posted by DZEC

True, but Mr. Bezos ticks me off and I’d rather support a small business.

Good luck finding it in Canada then.

Bob

you are right of course, but I’ll try some boat dealers and repair shops just in case.

Originally Posted by DZEC

you are right of course, but I’ll try some boat dealers and repair shops just in case.

Have you tried contacting 3M Canada directly to see if they have it?

https://www.3mcanada.ca/3M/en_CA/com...a/help-center/

Bob

One tub of it will last a long time. I bought a tub several years ago and I still have about half left.

Bit the bullet and ordered from Amazon.

I have several old razors that could use some shining up and I am looking forward to see for myself if I can work the magic with it that you and Mike have demonstrated.