Results 1 to 10 of 10
  1. #1
    Senior Member Walt's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Knoxville, TN
    Posts
    874
    Thanked: 312

    Default Could this be a Welsh razor?

    I recently purchased a razor that has some heavy pitting on that tang that obscures part of the maker's name and address. With a 20x loupe all I can make out is:

    - - - - - - ET
    - - - - - - ED ST
    - - -DINGTON. W.

    Could the W in the address stand for Wales? I am hoping that someone might be familiar with the maker. The razor has a 13/16 blade with a French point. The bone scales are pointed at both ends and it has a silver shield inlaid into the bone. Any help would be appreciated.

    Regards- Walt

    Last edited by Walt; 01-14-2010 at 09:30 PM.

  2. #2
    Junior Honemeister Mike_ratliff's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Central California
    Posts
    1,023
    Thanked: 82

    Default

    pictures might help

  3. #3
    Senior Member Croaker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Arizona
    Posts
    1,360
    Thanked: 376

    Default

    Pictures would help, and your razor description is intriguing! It was likely made in Sheffield and branded with the vendor's name.

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

    Walt (01-14-2010)

  5. #4
    Senior Member northpaw's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Athens, GA
    Posts
    691
    Thanked: 192

    Default

    If it predates the inclusion of country of manufacture, it might be short for something like "Paddington West". (Just a shot in the dark - don't know if that particular place exists.)

  6. #5
    Senior Member Walt's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Knoxville, TN
    Posts
    874
    Thanked: 312

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Croaker View Post
    Pictures would help, and your razor description is intriguing! It was likely made in Sheffield and branded with the vendor's name.
    That could be. Incidentally, the reverse side of the tang is stamped "Ground in Hamburg". The razor is quite pitted, but I like it's character. I think I will just hone it and not bother to give it a "face lift".

    Regards - Walt

  7. #6
    Master of insanity Scipio's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    London
    Posts
    1,663
    Thanked: 504

    Default

    Shame about that split. Those scales are a kind of ivory, of which animal I am unsure. There is a distinct grain, rather than pits of old pores which bones have.

    Perhaps that once said 'BEDDINGTON. W.' The W for West?

  8. The Following User Says Thank You to Scipio For This Useful Post:

    Walt (01-14-2010)

  9. #7
    Senior Member Walt's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Knoxville, TN
    Posts
    874
    Thanked: 312

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Scipio View Post
    Shame about that split. Those scales are a kind of ivory, of which animal I am unsure. There is a distinct grain, rather than pits of old pores which bones have.

    Perhaps that once said 'BEDDINGTON. W.' The W for West?
    I hadn't considered that the scales might be ivory. I guess I just assumed they were bone. But, you are correct, there is none of the usual "pitting" associated with bone. Both scales have a definite graining, almost like the rings of a tree. Hmmm. The split doesn't really bother me. It's a sign of age and wear and it gives it that "weathered" look. As long as it hones properly and gives a good shave, I'll be happy.

    Regards - Walt

  10. #8
    Senior Member blueprinciple's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Southern England
    Posts
    565
    Thanked: 112

    Default

    The 'W' almost certainly stands for the old London district code that was used prior to postcoding in the UK. It started as the points of the compass - N,E,S and W, then later divided into subsections like NE, SW etc , then later again into such as NE3, SW4 etc until we now have the full postcoding. I'd guess the age about 1860.

  11. The Following User Says Thank You to blueprinciple For This Useful Post:

    Walt (01-14-2010)

  12. #9
    Senior Member northpaw's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Athens, GA
    Posts
    691
    Thanked: 192

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by blueprinciple View Post
    The 'W' almost certainly stands for the old London district code that was used prior to postcoding in the UK. It started as the points of the compass - N,E,S and W, then later divided into subsections like NE, SW etc , then later again into such as NE3, SW4 etc until we now have the full postcoding. I'd guess the age about 1860.
    Went and looked it up, and the largest area of the old 'W' district was indeed Paddington. (map) Furthermore, one of the busiest streets there is Praed St.

    As mentioned above, it could be that it was branded with the name of a vendor on that street, so it could be something like:

    John Somethinget
    1234 Praed St.
    Paddington W.

  13. The Following User Says Thank You to northpaw For This Useful Post:

    Walt (01-15-2010)

  14. #10
    Senior Member blueprinciple's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Southern England
    Posts
    565
    Thanked: 112

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by northpaw View Post
    Went and looked it up, and the largest area of the old 'W' district was indeed Paddington. (map) Furthermore, one of the busiest streets there is Praed St.

    As mentioned above, it could be that it was branded with the name of a vendor on that street, so it could be something like:

    John Somethinget
    1234 Praed St.
    Paddington W.
    That's highly likely - I have seen a razor from a Praed Street retailer before but the name eludes me.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •