Gaines razor - Any info?

**Joed** · 07-03-2009, 11:38 AM

We found this Gaines a few weeks ago while out antiquing. I was in broken ivory scales but we got it for a song. I have some other broken ivory scales kicking around and will try to make a set of the pieces this weekend. I haven't been able to find any info on this razor and the only marking on it is the name 'Gaines'. Does anyone know where this was made and/or other info?

**holli4pirating** · 07-03-2009, 01:14 PM

I don't really have any info, other than she looks pretty old (which I'm sure you already know), and she's a nice looking blade (and I'm sure you knew I'd think that too, and you probably agree since you picked her up). Clavichord might be able to help; I've found he's a great source of information on older blades. I'll give him a heads up.

**hi_bud_gl** · 07-03-2009, 01:26 PM

wow great find Joed. I love back of the blade. You are doing excellent work.

**clavichord** · 07-03-2009, 04:50 PM

Thanks Holli! eheh! Well, this is a difficult one.

The surname (?) seems really uncommon for the Sheffield/Hallamshire area, since in Directories of 1852 and 1857 there are no Gaines/Gains, so it could be that the razor cames from a different place.
In the "freedom books" of Hallamshire cutlers (Sheffield area) I found some Gains, that I suppose could be a different form for Gaines:

1. Gains Edward, son of John (labourer), Rotherham; apprentice to Wilkinson Robert (cutler), for 8 1/2 years from 1761;
2. Gains Edward, son of Edward, apprentice to Wostenholme Henry (cutler); Freedom in 1776
3. Gains John, son of Edward (cutler); apprentice to the father for 7 years from 1790;
4. Gains Luke, son of Edward, apprentice to the father (forkmaker) for 7 years from 1799.

A table of Freedom years:
1770 c.ca > Edward;
1776 > Edward;
1797 > John;
1806 > Luke.

I'd say that the blade could date to the 1815-1830 period, but scales and pins could be of some help to be more precise.

**Joed** · 07-03-2009, 05:17 PM

One side of the scales were broken, I will try to get a pic of the unbroken one up later today. Thanks for the info.

**Croaker** · 07-03-2009, 05:18 PM

I came up blank also on this maker. Nothing in Genuki, Trademarks on Base Metal Cutlery, Goins', and Victorian London Directories. My guess is that Gaines was a vendor and not a cutler. The razor likely was made in Sheffield and sold elsewhere with the Gaines stamp. I really like the blade! What grind type would you assign to to it? It is not a full wedge, but looks pretty heavy duty.

**Joed** · 07-03-2009, 05:35 PM

Originally Posted by Croaker

I came up blank also on this maker. Nothing in Genuki, Trademarks on Base Metal Cutlery, Goins', and Victorian London Directories. My guess is that Gaines was a vendor and not a cutler. The razor likely was made in Sheffield and sold elsewhere with the Gaines stamp. I really like the blade! What grind type would you assign to to it? It is not a full wedge, but looks pretty heavy duty.

I would have to say it is more of a wedge than any other type. It really doesn't seem to have any type of hollow on it. It's definitely unique

**Joed** · 07-03-2009, 05:40 PM

Here is as good of a picture of scales as I could get without digging out the light box. Scales are pretty much straight, Not much of a curve to them.

**Croaker** · 07-03-2009, 07:16 PM

Hope you succeed in getting it clad in ivory scales again, they are beautiful! I have a razor of similar age (by the tang and scales early 1800's for both of ours), with broken horn scales. A tragedy, but someday I am going to restore this GB wedge. When you look at the blade profile, it seems to be a true wedge, whereas yours has a slight concavity tapering toward the edge, though it still can be called a wedge. Ithink that many wedges are actually more of a 1/4 hollow grind, looking at my own. I really love the unique blade profile on yours! Sad that the makers of the Gaines and GB blades have no surviving information thus far, unless someone can enlighten us.

**clavichord** · 07-03-2009, 08:08 PM

The Gaines blade remebered me a Luke Bishop razor (see my #86) for the fat tang and the roundish point, not so common between Sheffield blades of this period (L. Bishop acquired Freedom in 1802 and I guess my blade is about 1815-1820).

[OT - Fantastic hypothesis for Croaker

: GB > George Bishop, father of Luke; same square-flat back section and flower washers of my L.Bishop razor]

..just free thoughts to explore blades with a taste in common..

Thread: Gaines razor - Any info?

LinkBack

Thread Tools

Display

Gaines razor - Any info?

The Following User Says Thank You to holli4pirating For This Useful Post:

The Following User Says Thank You to hi_bud_gl For This Useful Post:

The Following User Says Thank You to clavichord For This Useful Post:

The Following User Says Thank You to Croaker For This Useful Post:

Posting Permissions