Thread: J. vs. G. Wostenholm

Greetings, all! First post from a newb - haven't even had my first str8 shave yet, though I've been lurking here and reading as much as I can for a couple weeks. I just received a new, Lynn-honed Dovo Special 5/8 that I'll start using in a couple weeks when I get some more time in the a.m., but I also bought an inexpensive J. Wostenholm 'EBRO' 5/8 (nearly?)-spike point wedge at an antique shop to practice sharpening on for when I need to start doing that. It says, 'Lather Well You'll Shave Better' etched on the blade. I've got 2 questions about the wedge:

1) I've seen a lot more G. or Geo. Wostenholmes than J. Wostenholmes mentioned here and elsewhere online. Anyone know the connection? Father and son/family business? I saw a trademark record that showed them both in operation in Sheffield around the same time (1892-1919, I think, for G. and 1892 for J.) I'd love any other info anyone can give me on the EBRO, too.

2) Will learning to hone the wedge transfer over to the hollow Dovo, or had I better find one that's more like the Dovo to practice on?

Thanks for reading!

I believe J is a German knock off of G!

Originally Posted by JMS

I believe J is a German knock off of G!

The tang says "Sheffield, England," so if it's a German knock-off they were REALLY lying! (The trademark record I saw also said it was a Sheffield manufacturer.) The '+EBRO+' mark was apparently used by a smith called Adolph Castor from 1892 - 1919 too, but I don't know his connection with the Wostenholms -- maybe they stole that too!

I've a J Wolstenholm as well and know it to be English (yeah I know, Mark. It was a joke).
I'd like an answer to that myself.

X

Originally Posted by BurnBeGone

The tang says "Sheffield, England," so if it's a German knock-off they were REALLY lying! (The trademark record I saw also said it was a Sheffield manufacturer.) The '+EBRO+' mark was apparently used by a smith called Adolph Castor from 1892 - 1919 too, but I don't know his connection with the Wostenholms -- maybe they stole that too!

If I understand correctly, they started using the "EBRO' mark and "made in Germany" After the customs laws were inacted!

I take it all back! I found some new information

Nice detective work, Mark.

Originally Posted by JMS

I take it all back! I found some new information

Nice, JMS! Your source puts them earlier than mine (the parenthetical dates mean "known to exist at that time"):
Wostenholms.pdf

Adolph Castor.pdf

I can't even guess what EBRO must stand for.

Anyone have any suggestions regarding honing the wedge vs. the Dovo?