Thread: Fontana 22

I happened to stop in at the local antique place earlier today and noticed a Fontana hollow ground that looked to be about 5/8 marked as a 22. It had cream colored celluloid scales that are a bit loose but in good shape. (Not really sure about the celluloid.) I would probably re-scale it anyhow. It has a chip in the blade 3/4 of the way back about 1/16 deep. Blade condition other than the chip is about what you would expect not much hone wear, no major pitting, and should clean up nicely. I am wishing now that I would have snapped a pic of it. I know I can work the chip out of it. I've taken out a minor chip before. I am wondering if it is worth it though. The cheapest the lady said she would go was $36 and it was marked $45. I know these are pretty rare blades, but I'll have to put a lot of work into the blade to get it shave ready.

On my Fontana 10 I found a very thin spine and a particularly hard steel. A very good shaver.

The blade is almost identical to the one pictured in the wiki. I suspect the 22 may be a more hollow ground version of it? I did notice the spine was rather thin. Perhaps this contributes to it being such a good shaver. Everything I have read indicates they are great shavers, just not sure if I want to drop that much on one that needs so much work.