Thread: F.Fenney Tally Ho, Anyone?

I see that F. Fenney made razors from 1824-1852, but does anyone use the Tally-Ho razor? I just scored one on Ebay and I was wondering what you guys thought. I know it's an old Sheffield and looks like it might be a 7/8th wedge. Any other input? I saw someone used one on their SOD post. What say ye all?

Yes! I bought one from Bill Ellis a year or so ago. Its about 7/8 - tapered with a smile. While its an outstanding shaver, it is a big old honkin' full wedge slab o' Sheffield steel. I don't use it as a daily shaver for that reason. I take it out once in a while when I have 3+ days growth to mow down. Enjoy it.

Jordan

Thanks, Jordan. That's what I thought it looked like but I wasn't sure in the ebay pics - it can be tough to see things clearly. Seems that as my knowledge grows, it does become a bit easier.
Would you say that it was tough to hone a wedge that big?

Well, this is where the benefit of Bill having restored it comes in. I've not had to hone it yet. Every now and then a few swipes on the green paste keeps it going. So the answer is I don't know what they're really like to hone. I have seen Bill suggest putting 2 layers of tape on wedges to get them to hone up easier - but I'll let more experienced honers speak to that.

Jordan

Excellent shavers,easy to hone,no need to tape the spine.Best regards Gary

Thanks Gents.

Hello,

Not sure if anyone will get this or not...but, I just recently started collecting straight razors and I have a question.

There's a antique F. Fenney Sheffield 'Tally-Ho' listed on ebay that I'm considering buying. I believe it may go for quite a bit simply because it has some sort of free mason sign on the blade. And, I was wondering about what anyone here would think it may be worth.

The description says it's "very rare" and I think that's correct after researching it on-line. A friend of mine that owns an antique shop checked the listing out and said that he's not sure because it's not in good condition, but that it would go very high if it were. I'm just unsure about what to bid and was hoping for some suggestions on the value, or where to find another without the masons symbol.

Thanks,

RazorCollector - first post!

There are copies of that one around on eBay, so check carefully.
I've got one of the originals and stacked it aside for when I'm better at restoring. They are great!
Paid quite a bit btw.

I'm pretty sure I saw the one you're referring to, RC. I've never actually shaved with a Fenney, but they are good looking blades and I have no reason to believe they are anything by great shavers.

Fenney's seem to go pretty high in general, and legit vintage razors with mason's symbols tend to go pretty high. I'd say this one in particular has a very good chance of getting very high.

Here is a 15/16 Tally Ho that I got a while back that I have to re-scale. The plan is to do some relatively crazy scales for it Its a gorgeous blade, I have yet to hone it.