Thread: Joseph Smith & Sons - Celebrated Razor 3415

So I Picked up this "junker" for $13 guy said it was used for civil war reenactment. Ends up its a Joseph Smith & Sons - Celebrated Razor 3415

I unpinned, cleaned polished the blade and scales. I still need to hone it up and re-pin for a shave. I want to keep the original scales on it but they have horn rot or something that I cant seem to get rid of ? They also look like someone along the way tried to repair the wedge end. I also gave this razor a satin finish on the blade.

Can someone tell me the date of this razor?
The scales also say 'The old english razor".

Here are some bad pics, sorry they are from a cell phone.

Robert Doyle's Straight Razor Collecting lists Joseph Smith & Sons as being in biz from 1830 to 1860. I don't think that horn suffers from rot the way that celluloid does ? I do know that they suffer from bug larvae chewing on them and leaving holes. Nice blade you have there.

That's for sure not a junker! Nice job cleaning the blade. Goins' says that Joseph Smith and Sons was in business from 1825-1953. By the style of the blade and tang, yours looks 1840's-1850's.

Originally Posted by Croaker

That's for sure not a junker! Nice job cleaning the blade. Goins' says that Joseph Smith and Sons was in business from 1825-1953. By the style of the blade and tang, yours looks 1840's-1850's.

I've got to break down and get a copy of the Goin's book. It is about the best I suppose. Here is an internet resource for various mfgs dates. Incomplete on Smith though.

Very nice restore! I don't have any dates on mfg but it looks like JimmyHad and Croaker did a good job on that. Thanks guys.

For horn scales a little bit of Neets Footoil rubbed on the scales to bring them back to life would be good. Do it a few times a little at a time as needed. Be careful, too much footoil will soften the scales. When finished adding oil and letting the scales absorbe it for a while wipe them dry and buff. A buffing wheel returns great results. Be careful not to generate too much heat while buffing.

I have several straights with scales like yours. Most have bug bites and holes, but I think it adds character. If you like, file/sand sharp corners smooth before the Neets and buffing.

Good luck!

Thank you everyone that has chimed in, I will try some of that neats foot oil.

Do you happen to know how to remove the black staining? Ive tried good ol soap water toothbrush, acetone, scrubbing bubbles, light sanding.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I've got to break down and get a copy of the Goin's book. It is about the best I suppose. Here is an internet resource for various mfgs dates. Incomplete on Smith though.

I started with Uniclectica and the Standard Guide to Razors, but quickly realized that I needed a source with LOTS more razors in it! Goins's has been a real help to me in razor identification on many occasions, and helped me go after desirable razors that I otherwise would not have looked twice at. Thanks for posting this link-it is very helpful, if your razor happens to be listed.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Here is an internet resource for various mfgs dates.

This internet resource is not exact. I faced many discrepancies. Goins' Encyclopedia is more detailed.
The best is to search the information in different sources.=)

1. From the Sheffield Directory of 1852:
Smith Joseph & Son, razor manufacturers, 40 Radford street

2. From the Sheffield Directory of 1857:
Smith Jph., & Son, razor manufrs., 40 Rad, ford street

3. From Uniclectica:
J SMITH & SON, Arundel Street, Sheffield, in business in 1828

4. From the Freedom Books of Hallamshire Cutlers:
A. Smith Joseph, son of Isaac, to Isaac, Stannington, razor maker, Freedom 1810;
B. Smith Joseph, son of William, Oughtybridge, collier; ro Revitt Geo., Stannington, cutler and grinder; Freedom 1805.

The same blade, sold today at $89.99.