Thread: Any info on this blade AND What would you call this tip?

So here's a blade that made it into my keepers (in the process knocking out my W&B Bow). She's shoulderless, quite wedgie, and stamped Best Silver Steel K*R.

I'm guessing she's a Sheffield blade, but I was wondering if anyone knew anything about her origins for sure.

I'm also wondering what one would call the style of the point. The cutting edge extends past the spine, and there is a curve almost like on a Spanish or barber's notch. (If it's not clear enough in the picture I have, I can attach another).

Spanish point for lack of anything better. I think plenty of names can be used for different things. Like is there a difference between a square point and spike point? In my mind, yes, but why complicate things?

Very nice blade Holli! Can't help you with the history or point name though. Just call it a VN point...very nice.

It is not Sheffield, at least not one that I have seen. The shoulders are not the same. Yes it is a Spanish point.

It looks remarkably similar to my W&B Extra Hollow Ground (see http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...tml#post332170), but that is far from wedgy.

Originally Posted by Philadelph

Spanish point for lack of anything better. I think plenty of names can be used for different things. Like is there a difference between a square point and spike point? In my mind, yes, but why complicate things?

I agree with you, for the most part. I do try to take note of small differences, like the difference between a spike and square point, so I was hoping to find some way to sufficiently describe this one. I don't do this to complicate things, but, rather, to be specific. I like being able to read a description and picture the object in my mind.

I do think "Spanish" is a pretty close description, but there is something a bit Frenchy about her as well. Spanch? Frenish?

Originally Posted by singlewedge

It is not Sheffield, at least not one that I have seen. The shoulders are not the same.

I want to preface this by saying that I do not mean this to be rude at all. There are lots of things that I have not seen, so I try not to rule anything out due to an absence of evidence. Still, I do value your input, because now I can say that between the two of us, your statement holds. I've not seen any shoulderless Sheffield blades like this either. (More below)

Originally Posted by sparq

It looks remarkably similar to my W&B Extra Hollow Ground (see http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...tml#post332170), but that is far from wedgy.

I agree that the shoulder looks quite a bit like your beautiful W&B. The interesting thing is that most Sheffield blades that I have seen that are shoulderless are concave ground.

Thanks for the input thus far. The mystery continues...

AHH!! Shoulderless blades are the bomb!!! I LIKE YOUR RAZOR!!!

Whatever it is, it makes a very handsome razor. I love the point & that particular shoulderless grind looks fantastic!

Love that razor, simple elegance. Shoulderless blades sometimes came out of Sheffield, since I have a big Reynolds 7/8ths "For Barbers Use" that is shoulderless with a French point. But to your other observation, it's also noticeably hollow ground, not wedgy at all.

When I shave, I scythe my blade downward at the heel end, and shoulderless blades tend to make this motion even smoother. I bet a keen shoulderless wedge would shave like pure silk. This may be why the shoulderless Le Grelot quarter-grinds are so highly regarded as shavers. Nice snag.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

I agree with you, for the most part. I do try to take note of small differences, like the difference between a spike and square point, so I was hoping to find some way to sufficiently describe this one. I don't do this to complicate things, but, rather, to be specific. I like being able to read a description and picture the object in my mind.

Exactly!

I do think "Spanish" is a pretty close description, but there is something a bit Frenchy about her as well. Spanch? Frenish?

My image of a French point is a convex arc (parabola?) from the spine tip to the edge tip which protrudes past the spine. My image of a Spanish point is a double curve, mostly a concave curve from the spine tip and reversing to a convex (bulbous) curve to the edge tip which also protrudes further than the spine.