Thread: Expert opinion needed. ( Are you listening Gary )

I have a Wade, Wingfield & Rowbotham straight razor. A 6/8s wedge and actually a little bigger at the toe! apparently they were in business from 1835 to 1852!
Now this razor has a round point and it is a wedge!
First: I don't believe I have ever seen a wedge with a round point.
Second: I don't believe I have ever seen a round tipped razor before the 1900s!

Now Gary, or anyone else who might know, were round points a common sight on a razor this old? Do I have some sort of prototype? Or maybe this is some sort of regrind?


Any responses appreciated!

Interesting question, now that I think about it I have never seen a wedge with a round point either. Since the simplest answer is usually the right one I am going to vote regrind, but as you know I am absolutely not an expert.

I have one, but no pic yet.
5/8 wedge roundpoint, made by J.C Cockhill (s? can't remember).
It was made before 1900 I know that.

It is the first restoration I ever started. I've worked at it on and off between commisioned restorations. Unfortunately I have so many restorations being commissioned that I have no time at all to work on my own.
On the plus side: they make me money I can spend to buy better tools, to make better restorations

It's John C. Cockhill. This is quite interesting with old round points (and round point wedges), I hadn't thought about it before.

I have quite a few by various manufacturers(most common is the f Reynolds(Ill post a photo).I think the Barbers notch types were more common,as they are much easier to open.Have you noticed that when you close the wedge tightly it is hard to grip the blade tip to open the razor,while it is easy to put you thumb tip into the barbers notch and open the razor.I really dont like the shape (esthetics) of the wedge round points.I think they look OK in hollow grinds.Best Regards Gary

Thank you Gary!

I found out a little something about this razor, courtesy of Goins Encyclopedia of Cutlery Markings. Wade Wingfield & Rowbotham were only in business in 1852. After that they dropped Wade. So, it appears this is a pretty rare razor, and 156 years old!