11/8 Wolstenholm wedge!!!

I am now the proud owner of a beautiful George Wolstenholm razor. :yIt is about 11/8 but slightly bigger in the wider parts. (I'll get better measurements when I get a hold of some calipers or something) This thing is heavy! The spine is super thick too.

Its stamped only on one side with:
GEORGE WOLSTENHOLM & SONS
CELEBRATED I-XL RAZOR
WASHINGTON WORKS
SHEFFIELD

Please excuse the horrid picture phone images...the GF broke her camera and I don't have one...Theres a picture of it next to my red imp and in my hand with my giant watch. Here is the Ebay address Vintage GeorgeWostenholm & Son Razor Sheffield UK - eBay (item 260249265900 end time Jun-15-08 09:01:12 PDT)

What do you guys think? Ive never spent nearly this much on a razor before... On the toe end there is a nasty gouge in the steel. The wedge appears to be made of lead, possible to offset the weight of the blade. Does anyone know anything else about this razor or the company? I haven't looked around about it yet. I think this is my favorite razor so far! I'm still contemplating on what to do with it...

Thanks for looking:)

WOW that is huge, must be on the heavy side. I can just imagine it sliding on it's own weight, cutting everything on it way.

Great razor, pricy but nice.

That thing is not a razor,,,it's a meat cleaver.. That being said,,I like it. Enjoy it , it should shave tree trunk sized hair.

Yeah, that is HUGE! Who owned it last, Sweeney Todd?

What a monster!! Great grab!

Could I get a counter job at your butcher shop?

Nice man! You should really just sell it to me. George Wostenholms are great razors by the way.








Seriously, I'll buy it. lol

I've seen those George Wolstenholm razors go for well-over $100.00 I have an 8/8+.

I wish i had tree trunk hair! Sorry Philidelph, no one ever touching this baby!

I want more already! I wonder if i can find one any bigger?:hmmm: might just have to get a plane blade...and make one...

Son of a ß¡+¢# that's a monster, and for a great price. The damage won't even affect its performance I bet. Nice haul!

X

Amazing size! I think you are starting a new trend... shaving by beard intimidation. The whiskers just run; nevermind actually cutting them down.

OMG! Ahhhhhhh!

:bow

Sean

That's a very cool razor!

BTW, just an observation. I have the exact same floor tiles!

I dont think that is pricey at all for what you have. Once cleaned up will fetch for over $200.

That's a serious wedge. Great find, unusual

If you would like some new scales for that thing, let me know before I head out in July.

I think I have an axe handle laying around that *might* fit..... :eek:


Nice snag!


v/r

Allen

:eek: Wow what a HUGE piece of steel.

That's way to dangerous to shave with.
I Holland we got special disposal units for things like that. For your own safety I suggest you send it to me.

I'll dispose for you free of charge :D

Real beauty... :bow

WOW, nearly as wide as it is long!!!!:tu:tu


That much steel moves it from the realm grooming implement to potential combat weapon. It's got to be illegal in the UK.

I think that you got an absolutely great deal on that razor; I would be happy to pay at least double what you paid for a razor like that in the condition that you got it in. Enjoy! :tu

I presently use an old George Wolstenholm & Sons in my rotation. It's not a wedge.

I don't like saying how good some razors are because the price goes up.
Lets' just say it's lucky for some of my neighbouring European Countries that the likes of Wolstenholm stopped making razors. My razor is 100 years old and has so much refinement and class about it, it makes modern razors look amateurish. By this I mean it sits well in the hand. It balances superbly during the shave. It hones easily and well. It is takes a very sharp edge and gives a close shave. Mine has a deliberate smile which is fantastic for under the nose and chin. There is no dangerous spike, it's just curved and shaped for comfort in use. Yes the carbon steel has tarnished, but the edge isn't crumbling. The handle isn't beautiful. It's bone, it works well and it will still work in another 100 years time. The work and craftsmanship is obvious to anybody who understands straight razors.

It was made at a time when very wealthy gentlemen could afford to demand and pay for the best. It does not surprise me that it's so good and it doesn't surprise me that you can not buy the same quality today. Nobody would pay the asking price.

Enjoy yours, it is, Im sure a well designed quality instrument.
Incidentally, if you are going to rescale it, you should take a good look at the original scales as I am sure they balance the blade superbly. You should weigh the balance weight and scales and try to replicate the weight in any renovation. Because of the weight of the blade, I think this attention to detail will be essential to maintain the razors performance. The wedge probably is lead as that was a material that was in common use in the razor industry at the turn of the last century.

How old do you think mine is? I cant find that razor dating link...

Outstanding razor. Thank you for posting the pictures. That was a real treat. Enjoy!!!!!

Chris L

Thank you! Im very proud to own it, I don't have a lot of money so ive been waiting for a chance at something like this for a very long time. Its gonna be a bit before I fix it up a bit and make scales though. I want a lot of practice so I get it right:o

Holy crap! I love big razors but I never shave with anything bigger than my head.

I personally think you got a very good deal.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tjiscooler

Its stamped only on one side with:
GEORGE WOLSTENHOLM & SONS
CELEBRATED I-XL RAZOR
WASHINGTON WORKS
SHEFFIELD

What do you guys think? Ive never spent nearly this much on a razor before... On the toe end there is a nasty gouge in the steel. The wedge appears to be made of lead, possible to offset the weight of the blade. Does anyone know anything else about this razor or the company? I haven't looked around about it yet. I think this is my favorite razor so far! I'm still contemplating on what to do with it...

Thanks for looking:)

---

It's probably an exhibition piece though razors of this size were made quite extensively in the period C. 1840 - 1860-ish. The scales are undoubtedly black horn. Being spelled 'Wostenholm' (no 'L') instead of 'Wolstenholme' dates it certainly post-1815 (it's no way that early anyway) and being made at Washington Works, moved to in 1848, rather than the earlier Rockingham Works that the firm first occupied in 1832. Wostenholm were bought-out in 1971 by Joseph Rodgers & Sons, Sheffield, forming Rodgers-Wostenholm. The 'I-XL' logo is still in use today. I would date this razor firmly at 1855 - 1860.

It is of course your call but I for one would do all I could to keep the original scales rather than jazzing it up with new ones!

Very nice, if you ever want to sell, drop me a line. :tu

Thanks for all the info! I had no idea it was so old, my guess was 50 years off. Id like to keep the original scales but I have some plans for really nice ones I want to make and since I plan to shave with it originality isnt priority, so im going to give it some time.