Thread: Marshes & Shepherd Ponds Works ~1825-40 Wedge

I just got this razor in a big lot, and I thought it was insanely unique and wanted to share it with everyone.

Unfortunately, the scales seem to have shrunken over the years -- the blade no longer fits -- the lead spacer is destroyed and the scales are cracked. I'm almost 100% sure they are original to the razor, but they are literally 1/8" too short -- the end of the blade hits the lead. But, I will make sure to document this razor properly before I remove the scales.

I've never seen a lead spacer so huge. I feel as though I may get lead poisoning if I handle it too much

Very unique, and I think it would serve this blade well to be re-scaled with a similar designed spacer. i'll have to give it a long hard think to come up with something.

Oh, I just wanted to add...

Today I spent about 15 minutes just sitting there gazing at this razor in my hands. it is truly amazing that these razors can survive 180 years.

How cool is this hobby.

The shank looks a bit different, but may be it's the angle and the rust. mine's not patriotic either:

Nice, and very old!! Are you sure that the bolster is made out of lead? I have an American Holley wedge from the 1840's (made by immigrant Sheffield cutlers) with an identical bolster that appears to be made of steel. It also has black horn scales. Never saw that type of bolster before, and now I see from yours that the pattern is Sheffield. Thanks for sharing the pics of this grizzled old whisker whacker. It has style.

Save those washers!
Neat looking piece, but how could it have shrunk?

I have no idea. But, it certainly doesn't look to be re-scaled. Maybe it was? whoever did it was an idiot..the put a set of scales that didn't fit on it and then just muscled the blade right into the lead spacer.

As for the spacer, yes, it is lead -- its super soft.

I see that Altima55 has a razor with that same bolster/spacer pattern up for auction. His razor is stamped Dublin.

Regards - Walt

I have a few M&S and I don't think this 'spacer' is original. I've seen them with bits of copper hammered over, plastic shoved in and god knows what else. The important thing is that this is part of the razor's history - if that's not your concern, get the old scales off, clean up the blade and put some snazzy new scales on - but for my money it would be better to treat this as a historic piece and restore it sympathetically - just remove enough crud to let it work and get the edge sorted, then when you shave think of somone walking out of a shop somewhere with his fine new razor in the 1830's. Wow.