Thread: Shumate Razors

Anyone else have a Shumate razor? I have a "Shumate's Tungston" that came from my great grandfather's son.

I recieved it this afternoon in the mail and started working on the broken scale issue (I need some parts bad...). Getting a pair of worn out scales secured to the razor was not as tough as I was expecting. I used some heavy guage silver wire I had laying around from my wire working days. The wire is just a tad skinny but not to skinny that the recycled collers couldn't be used. After tapping a head on the wire (with a spoon ) I got the scales attached and tapped the other end to a head, till it felt stiff. Due to the worn nature of these scales I didn't tighten it as far as I would have liked, fearing that the scale would crack at a few stressed points. See pics

After I got the scales on I jumped at my stones, figuring if I can get a working set of scales on this razor in about 30 mins (first set I've done as well), I think I can get an edge on it as well. Heck why not . While I already had my box of wire gear out I got the head mounted magnafiers out and looked at the edge (much to the enjoyment of my daughter, seems I look crazy with it on). After only 10 passes on the 1200 King I could see that the edge was clean and clear to the edge. On to the 4/8k Norton and a standard pyramid that seemed to go all to well... ok now I was getting nervous. This was going far to smoothly...

Onward to the Tony Miller pasted strop 1.0/0.5 (oh so glad I bought this ) and did 10 passes each side. Than 30 passes on my hanging strop to get it ready.

After the shower I did another 20 passes and shaved with it...

This is the best, first shave, I have ever had with any straight I have. Almost as good as my Gold Bug gave first time out. I'm ever so tickled that I have been able to hone up a razor from scratch and have it shave that good. It has to be the steel, I'm going to look this one up and see what it's all about. In the hand this razor feels great, the tang is just fat enough to be easaly held and manuvered, for me that is, and the weight is what I've come to enjoy the most.

Other than having temporary scales this is by far my best project razor to date. I owe most of my new skills to this site, Lynn and Bill Ellis's Disc's, and all the posts that keep us going here daily.

A big thankyou to all involved in this site

Why don't you put it up for sale?

DC,

I know, it's scary when things go the way either they are suposed to go or the way you intended them to go. When things are going unexpectedly well for me, in the back of my mind I'm always anticipating big foot dropping that other boot.

It's good to hear that things went so well with your heirloom razor. Your success encourages the rest of us experimenting with putting steel to stone.

good going, Bruce

Shumates are pretty nice razors i have a couple etched the razor that fits your face" that have a "hand hammered" looking shank.
they both were a dead cinch to hone and shave wonderfully.

Try finding the Texas made ones hehehehe goooooood luck on that
The ones I have found are not only good looking razors but great little shavers as well....
Now one thing that I guess the Shumate's have never been known for is keeping an edge for a long time(like the Solingen steels they competed against) but in MHO I don't think thats as relevent today as it was back in the early 1900's when they were made. I myself have never shaved with an unstropped blade have you????
Here's a pic of one of my favorites A Shumate Shuraco It has a MOP tang and the Gold etching to set of the Black Gray and White Cracked Ice Scales

A Shumate 'Scout" here. Good shaver. $8 when I found it.

One of my favorite shavers is a well put together but very plain Schumate round point. It's made me keep my eyes open for more USA made razors.

I shaved with my Shumate last night . Mine is a 5/8 RP with faux ivory scales , made in St. Louis , MO. . The word "tungsten" is written in ink on the box , but it's not embossed nor is it stamped on the tang . So I don't know if it's really tungsten steel or not . Also , the tang is stamped on the opposite side rather than the usual side . Oh BTW , it's an excellent shaver . I don't think you can go wrong with a Shumate .

I have a Shumate Tungsteel swayback square point I "rescued" from a local antique shop for $12. I think it is one of my best shavers!

Originally Posted by syslight

Shumates are pretty nice razors i have a couple etched the razor that fits your face" that have a "hand hammered" looking shank.
they both were a dead cinch to hone and shave wonderfully.

Are you sure that's not a Shuredge? I've got one just like that in my hands right now, and it says Robeson Shuredge. All my Robesons have taken a really superb edge, but this one is better than most of my Solingens.

Originally Posted by PalmettoB

I have a Shumate Tungsteel swayback square point I "rescued" from a local antique shop for $12. I think it is one of my best shavers!

I've got one of these Tungsteel swaybacks in a 9/16 round point and it's a delightful little razor, very light and agile and sharp as heck.