Thread: 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

pictures might help

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

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.)

Originally Posted by Croaker

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

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?

Originally Posted by Scipio

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

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.

Originally Posted by blueprinciple

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.

Originally Posted by northpaw

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.