Ebay Masonic?

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03-13-2009, 11:27 PM
FarNorthAK

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Ebay Masonic?

I bought this on ebay a week ago...hasn't arrived yet, but I haven't been able to find anything on it. Can anyone tell me something about it? The seller said it is marked OHN. Could this be short for JOHN? I'll be able to see more when I get it...ideas?
03-13-2009, 11:33 PM
Newbflat

BARBER, JOHN
Sheffield
Trademark: Square and Compasses
1810 - 1834 ("Old Sheffield Razors" by Lummus. Antiques, December 1922 p.261-267)
03-13-2009, 11:50 PM
holli4pirating

Those are usually some sweet old blades. Yours looks like it was reground; I'm pretty sure most (if not all) Barbers were wedges.
03-13-2009, 11:53 PM
theworldover

There have been some razors to pop up on ebay that have masonic etchings on the blades as well. Nice spot Newbflat
03-13-2009, 11:55 PM
FarNorthAK

Thanks, well I hope for the 15 big ones I dropped on it that it at least shaves decent!!!
03-14-2009, 06:14 AM
the wanderer

I wouldn't worry too much. I spent $12 on a Wade & Butcher that I'm certain has been shortened for some reason and that I'm fairly sure is a regrind, and it's one of my best shavers.
03-14-2009, 07:53 AM
Leighton

Quote:

Originally Posted by FarNorthAK

Thanks, well I hope for the 15 big ones I dropped on it that it at least shaves decent!!!

15 is darn cheap for a straight. Enjoy it! Looks interesting at least.
03-14-2009, 06:25 PM
Newbflat

3 Attachment(s)

Don't mean to hijack your thread but I'm curious about the "Square and compass" symbol that John Barber uses. The one on your razor(FarNorthAK) Is more refined than i have seen before( not that i have seen that many). The square is outlined as is the top of the compass. You can see on my Barber, its more of a solid stamp. Any Barber scholars out there that can comment on the stamp dates?....

Another thought.... All the Barbers i have seen have the "John Barber" across the spine and the square and compass oriented the same as in my photos. Its a beefy Razor with lots of billboard space. On the other hand, yours seams a bit more delicate (I saw it on Ebay and was going to bid but went to a party and forgot to bid) and there is clearly no room on the spine for a name. My guess is that its not a re-grind as all the pertinent info is right there on the tang ready for a hollow grind....?????..... me thinks!

Bill
03-14-2009, 10:00 PM
gugi

there are a bunch of styles of john barbers, i suppose they may even be indicative of the time, or may be they just made them different.
i'm pretty sure that's not the original grind and i don't see any indication that it ever had tapered spine.

I am not sure the stamp was meant to be masonic either.
03-15-2009, 12:03 AM
FarNorthAK

Quote:

Originally Posted by gugi

there are a bunch of styles of john barbers

I've tried looking for information on these....any sources you know of?
03-15-2009, 01:07 AM
Newbflat

Quote:

Originally Posted by gugi

there are a bunch of styles of john barbers, i suppose they may even be indicative of the time, or may be they just made them different.
i'm pretty sure that's not the original grind and i don't see any indication that it ever had tapered spine.

I am not sure the stamp was meant to be masonic either.

Gugi....Just curious on what you mean by "don't see any indication that it ever had tapered spine"
03-23-2009, 01:01 PM
webgemcanada

Quote:

Originally Posted by FarNorthAK

I bought this on ebay a week ago...hasn't arrived yet, but I haven't been able to find anything on it. Can anyone tell me something about it? The seller said it is marked OHN. Could this be short for JOHN? I'll be able to see more when I get it...ideas?

Your blade stamp certainly indicates a particular level/rank in Freemasonry but I question it's authenticity as a Masonic symbol as the square shown is greater than a 90 degree angle. Freemasons are a little picky about stuff like that and I don't think it would have been acceptable to them. I can go into this further with you if you wish to have more information but don't want to give away any secrets. :nj
03-23-2009, 01:16 PM
welshwizard

Quote:

Originally Posted by webgemcanada

Your blade stamp certainly indicates a particular level/rank in Freemasonry but I question it's authenticity as a Masonic symbol as the square shown is greater than a 90 degree angle. Freemasons are a little picky about stuff like that and I don't think it would have been acceptable to them. I can go into this further with you if you wish to have more information but don't want to give away any secrets.

I think the way the square & compass has been struck on the blade is more down to crudeness in the die rather than an intention to indicate any particular degree. Although I think maybe that I can see what you are getting at. As for Freemasons being picky, I can think of one that wouldn't mind owning it.
03-23-2009, 01:52 PM
webgemcanada

Masonic Razor ???

Quote:

Originally Posted by welshwizard

I think the way the square & compass has been struck on the blade is more down to crudeness in the die rather than an intention to indicate any particular degree. Although I think maybe that I can see what you are getting at. As for Freemasons being picky, I can think of one that wouldn't mind owning it.

There is no mistaking what the symbology represents. One arm of the compasses is above the square and one is below. I don't think that was an accident or poor striking. Does anyone else have a Masonic razor so we can compare marks?

I wouldn't mind getting that one either.
03-23-2009, 02:09 PM
welshwizard

I think it's just a nineteenth century brand name, although it's a fair bet that John Barber, whose brand it was, was a Freemason. Many factory owners would have been during that period. In terms of the symbolism of the Square & Compass die, which admittedly, appears to be different on the two razors in the pictures, why produce a razor commemorating a degree that one would pass through fairly quickly?