Thread: Anyone heard of this old fella ?

Get him to etch Cyril into the blade whilst he has it for honing?

first !

haha!

He's in the 1854 Sheffield Post Office Directory here

Not very helpful, I know. But at least you know he's real. Looks like he made table knives and forks, pens and pocket knives, and scissors, plus was a general merchant.

James.

PS For anyone interested I posted a link to this directory a while back in this thread.

Can't find out much about this one.
The Sheffield Directory of 1852 lists "Webster, William - Merchant & Cutlery Manufacturer - 14, Sycamore Street".
The style of the blade, wedge with a well swayed arris back, certainly seems right for the 1850s period. I think the scales are buffalo horn.
A lovely razor and well worth your tenner - I love that style of blade and I'm all envy!

Duncan.

150 years old! I'm not joking when I say "If you handled the thing, you'd think it was made a few years ago"
It has a very tiny concave to it, it's not quite a full wedge looking at it, Oh! and it is very heavy compared to my hollow groung Watts.
It's got really sharp jimps under the tang too, none on top.
Thanks Gents

if it's all original, and in good working order,why screw it up? Please take care of the old girl and she'll take care of you. she's beautiful just the way she is, well maybe better after honing. just my opinion.

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

if it's all original, and in good working order,why screw it up? Please take care of the old girl and she'll take care of you. she's beautiful just the way she is, well maybe better after honing. just my opinion.

I think your right. I need to find a really good blade with buggered scales so the temptation to mess with a good razor stops!

My two-pennorth - sorry if I haven't been about too much but I have been almost grafted to the hones recently! Yes I would like to attend, Makar but who is this honemeister you're asking to come? Anyway WIlliam Webster - C. 1852 - 1869 at Sycamore Works, 14 Sycamore Street Sheffield. That's about it except they also apparently made 'bowie' style knives. I await this thing's arrival with bated breath - have to get the special semicircular cross-grained chromium-plated ancient razor hone dusted off! Seriously, I like honing these fully-swept blades as they always seem to come up really well. Failing that you can always play at pirates with 'em!

Hi Steve, once I'm paid it'll be sailing (ha ha me hearty!!) it's way to you. My wife is giving me ear-ache at the money I'm ere... 'investing' in your shop!
I reminded her of the balance on a store card she has though... I could have bought 18 Gencos for the amount
BTW the Genco may be pettit, but it is scary sharp even after being used.
I only gave myself one half-hearted cut with it on it's maiden voyage, right under my snout, I held the blade in one place too long and slid it a mm.
I'm glad you like the look of my ebay hatchett, Ive had the metal polish and 600 wet'n'dry on the black bits. It's quite sparkley now.
M