Anyone heard of this old fella ?

Evening all !
I recieved a razor today from an ebay auction I won.
The razor has "William Webster Sycamore Works" and a stags head on the tang, and across the blade in small but nicely stamped letters " The old english razor".
It has black plastic type material scales and a pewter spacer.
The blade is a nice curved semi-wedge with coffin cross-section, about 6/8 with about a 3 inch edge.
Original coffin shaped box with "William Webster Sycamore Works Sheffield" written on the box. I paid about £10/$20
I have had the metal polish on it all afternoon and it is now quite shiney with a couple of small dark areas. I will be sending it to Steve at theinvisibleedge to make it shave ready. I think I would stuggle to put an edge on this blade, because of it's shape.
At the moment it is very dull, but the edge doesn't seem damaged.
What do you think, is it worth me posting a picture?
Marcus

Of course we want porn... I mean pictures :D
Sounds like an interesting razor in the least.

^^ Agreed. You definitely need to post up pics of said razor.

here it is, I hope

Looks like a nice blade, should be well worth those £10 you paid.

Never heard of it, but it looks cool! Looks like a good English razor. Let us know how it shaves!

Nice looking razor Marcus. When you send this to Steve (who is a member I believe but doesn't frequent much going by the member list) can you ask him if he would like to come to a UK SRP bash in Birmingham in September. A honemeister would be a person most welcome! Sorry for the :OT but every opportunity! I will ask him myself too - but hearing it a few times maybe helps.

cheers
Stephen

Before the crash he had the username Blueprinciple....

"The Crash", sounds like some kind of holocaust doesn't it?!

Hi Stephen, Yep, I'll ask him. He is sending me a Genco and I'm sure he will want to know what bit's of my face are still attached:D

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I was thinking off de-scaling the Webster, polishing it right up and putting some ebony scales I'm working on, on it. But, the razor is complete with proper box and just needs a new bevel and sharpen to be good, so I am a bit reluctant to mess with it.
Anyone got an opinion on whether to mod it?

What do you think my "bluebird" friend? (Welshwarrior)

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

:gth first !

haha! :D

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.

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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.

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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? :w 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...:rant: I could have bought 18 Gencos for the amount:nono:
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

Steve - I checked out the member name 'invisible edge' thinking that was you. Hence the 'infrequent' comment. Great that you can come along to a bash in September. I will pm you re more details as they stand. I would like to make the date hard and fast and spread the word so that we can galvanise support - I have been holding off a wee bit to try and get someone with honeability. Looks like we have now. Sorry for the :HJ I will move it to a pm.

cheers
Stephen

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Originally Posted by blueprinciple

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? :w 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!

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Originally Posted by Makar

Sorry for the :HJ I will move it to a pm.
cheers
Stephen

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Oh don't worry, it's all in a good cause.
Marcus

Nice buy. I had my eye on that one too, but decided that if I'm gonna spend more than a tenner on an ebay razor, it's gotta be something I really love. Kinda looking for something in the 5/8 or less category though, so given the size of your new aquisition, I'm glad it went someplace it'll be loved.
She's a beauty.

Hi Rosco, Mr Webster (Wednesday) is at least 6/8, slight over I think.
I took a chance on him even though the ebay pictures were not wonderful, as I could see the case looked really good, and when I blew the images up he seemed in good shape.
Ive cleaned him up with wet'n'dry (nothing drastic) and polished him with Peek metal polish (by apointment to HRH, or so the packet says!!)
Steve from theinvisibleedge reckons they hone up something silly!
I only a learner, I hope he doesn't turn up too sharp:D:y

Erm I believe I said they drive you silly trying to hone 'em....:cen

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Originally Posted by littlesilverbladefromwale

Steve from theinvisibleedge reckons they hone up something silly!

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I'm glad I'm leaving him to the pro' then! :bow :D

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Originally Posted by littlesilverbladefromwale

Hi Stephen, Yep, I'll ask him. He is sending me a Genco and I'm sure he will want to know what bit's of my face are still attached:D

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That was that lovely little genco on his site .... :(
Cracking little razor , I had my eye on that ... you'll really like it i'm sure Steve / blueprinciple does sent his razors out very nicely honed :tu

Tis really sharp, nice scales too. I was worried I'd cut myself as it's a square point, but it's fine.
Did you see the Fisher before it went? I really liked the look of that.
Where have you bought from in the UK? Any good sellers?
Marcus

Mr Webster is back from his visit to Steve invisibleedge. He is very sharp now.
Had a shave with him and it was excellent, I can see why these choppers are popular. I found because of the heft of the blade, they shave very quiety, because of the swept edge they get at hairs hidding in the hollows.
It did get one shallow cut, right in the cleft of my chin (yes I have a bit of a Kirk Douglas) I don't know why I did it, I was holding the blade square on near my chin while reaching for something and "butted" the edge straight-on with my chin:confused: Doooh!! didn't bleed for long though, and it's not deep, thank god.
I will be keeping this razor:cool: It is class.
A special thanks to Steve for turning Mr Webster from a butter knife into a cutlass.
Marcus

I found another one; it appears to be from the same general time period and shares a similar blade shape.
I am looking forward to getting it cleaned up and sharpened

Well well, where did that one turn up?
Blueprinciple says they are about 150 years old. Your blade is the same shape as mine. Your scales are rounded in shape though.
Mine has only been honed once no touch ups and it's still really sharp, it is still just about my best hair remover!
Thanks for showing us it.
M

AaronX gave it a good cleaning :) Thanks, Aaron!

Hi Guys,

Sorry to ressurct this old thread. I used to be the owner of this exact razor, i think i bought off th op some seven years ago.

I absolutley loved this razor, it was my favourite and my go to one.

Unfortunatley due to the recession around that time i was owed 8 months of my salary from work and i was in dire straights. I was forced to sell all my razors, hones and TM strop.

It was heart breaking have to sell this one especially.

However, i am in a position to buy it back. I dont remember who i sold it too as my ebay listings wont go back that far, but if anyone on this forum has it and is willing to part with it then please pm me.

Kind regards,

Danny

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Originally Posted by littlesilverbladefromwale

Hi Stephen, Yep, I'll ask him. He is sending me a Genco and I'm sure he will want to know what bit's of my face are still attached:D

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I was thinking off de-scaling the Webster, polishing it right up and putting some ebony scales I'm working on, on it. But, the razor is complete with proper box and just needs a new bevel and sharpen to be good, so I am a bit reluctant to mess with it.
Anyone got an opinion on whether to mod it?

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L

if scales are original to the blade i would leave them alone " more value and history " i would just polish and sharpen " my thoughts "

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Originally Posted by Pahlavan

Hi Guys,

Sorry to ressurct this old thread. I used to be the owner of this exact razor, i think i bought off th op some seven years ago.

I absolutley loved this razor, it was my favourite and my go to one.

Unfortunatley due to the recession around that time i was owed 8 months of my salary from work and i was in dire straights. I was forced to sell all my razors, hones and TM strop.

It was heart breaking have to sell this one especially.

However, i am in a position to buy it back. I dont remember who i sold it too as my ebay listings wont go back that far, but if anyone on this forum has it and is willing to part with it then please pm me.

Kind regards,

Danny

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Danny, did it manage you to buy it again?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Pahlavan

Hi Guys,

Sorry to ressurct this old thread. I used to be the owner of this exact razor, i think i bought off th op some seven years ago.

I absolutley loved this razor, it was my favourite and my go to one.

Unfortunatley due to the recession around that time i was owed 8 months of my salary from work and i was in dire straights. I was forced to sell all my razors, hones and TM strop.

It was heart breaking have to sell this one especially.

However, i am in a position to buy it back. I dont remember who i sold it too as my ebay listings wont go back that far, but if anyone on this forum has it and is willing to part with it then please pm me.

Kind regards,

Danny

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I hate that for you. I know that has to suck. We all sometimes have to make sacrifices. I hope you can get it back. Good luck with that.