Thread: Ancient Razors

I have two razors with round buffalo horn scales and large domed brass pins. Both are massive. Any idea about their age?

Originally Posted by sparq

I have two razors with round buffalo horn scales and large domed brass pins. Both are massive. Any idea about their age?

Whats the make. That looks like it might be a regrind

Originally Posted by JMS

Whats the make. That looks like it might be a regrind

Hargreaves Smith & Co Sheffield Imperial Razor. The collector I bought it from got it in 1970s in exactly the same shape.

Hargreaves Smith & Co. Sheffield was in business from 1866 to 1920

I am likely wrong but my guess is that was originally a wedge reground into a hollow. I am betting 1866 to 1880

Originally Posted by JMS

Hargreaves Smith & Co. Sheffield was in business from 1866 to 1920

I am likely wrong but my guess is that was originally a wedge reground into a hollow. I am betting 1866 to 1880

Thank you. That is quite possible, it is very hollow ground and has a clearly visible belly. It is an outstanding shaver, I love it.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

This is an oldie which from the blade profile and the shape of the scales should be circa 1790s or thereabouts. Regrettably it came to me with the chip in the edge. I have thought about taking it out but it is sizable and would change the look of the blade.

That's a nice old razor , I wouldn't worry about the chip either . Here's a pic of one of my old ones (circa 1810 or earlier) . It's a W. Greaves , Acier Foundu (cast steel) .

Here are my oldest oldies....at least one dates back to the very early 1800's.
There is a Wostenholm frameback IXL with ivory scales and a silver escutcheon plate and a thick heavy frame, a lighter Wostenholm "Damascus" that is either real Damascus or etched painstakingly to look it, also wearing ivory, a Joseph Elliott brass framed frameback with perfect stag scales, and finally the oldest one. It just says "Warranted" and is wearing tortoiseshell scales. Just some old cigar box junk, but I can't bear to part with any of them!

Hey, I've got a Wosty with the same blade in it, but mine is a Doubly Carbonized Frameback. Unfortunately, there is some staiting on mine, and I think I'd lose the etch/pattern if I cleaned her up.

Interesting, because the plain blade frameback Wostenholm I posted also is a Doubly Carbonized. It has a super heavy tang, too. Does yours? The fake Damascus is both a hump back on the tang and a sway backed blade. Looks very cool!

Originally Posted by Croaker

Just some old cigar box junk, but I can't bear to part with any of them!

Cigar box junk !!! I don't think so . I would love to have any/all of them . The one that says "warranted" is obviously worthless junk . Who would want a razor that's over 200 years old . Send it to me , so I can save you the embarassment of having to throw it away yourself . Heck , I'll even pay the shipping .