Thread: New Razor

I joined here back in July, and don't really have alot of time to get on the forum at home. I have been looking on the forum during lunch at work, but the network there won't leave me post.

Anyway, I have gotten to the point where I'm getting pretty decent shaves with the razor I had. Despite the accident shattered tips of the scales at the pivot pin that noone knows anything about. Luckly there was enough material to rigg it back together until a proper rescale can be done.

The purpose of this post is I found a new (old) razor at an antique shop I decided to swing into today. It's a 4/8 with smile at toe, a black plastic/celluoid scale and a what appears to be oak scale. The only marking on the tang is "S AND SONS" in an arch and "STREET" under it. Any ideas?

The tip on that blade doesn't look too comforting. Might be an issue there.

I did consider that, then got to thinking that I read on here there were a couple of guys on the forum that sharpen the ones with smiles and shave. If it proves to be not my thing I could always make a 3/8s out of it.

Originally Posted by wrench3047

I found a new (old) razor at an antique shop.....the only marking on the tang is "S AND SONS" in an arch and "STREET" under it. Any ideas?

I have a razor that is almost identically marked. I'm reasonably sure that it is made by Joseph Rodgers & Sons, No. 6 Norfolk Street, Sheffield. Circa 1875-1900.

Regards - Walt

Cool, when I was looking through the wiki and found Joseph Rodgers and Sons to be a likely manufacturer. Although I wasn't sure , because the tang markings I saw on the examples were stampings and mine seems to be etched. The majority of the markings on mine seem to be rubbed away.

Here is the 1961 barber manual on honing and stropping. On page 24 you'll find an illustration of a desirable blade profile and an explanation of how to get there. Hard to tell how much correction the bevel will need from the photo and I prefer a larger blade than a 4/8 but you may have a good shaver there once it is made shave ready.