Flea Market Find

[DaveTheGeordie]

Well, I was out and about with the wife, her cousin and her chap and our pooches today when we happened upon a flea market. A very small one at that, about 10 stands.

I picked up the only razor in the place I could see and saw it had a bad frown and assumed the Joseph Rodgers and Sons box was with this. How wrong I was:



Lady asked £10 and I nearly had her arm off. Its a Joseph Rodgers and Sons Celebrated hollow ground.

It seems in really good condition with tight scales and bright metal barring a bit of patina (I will have this polished out). It doesn't seem to have very much hone wear either, I mean minimal!

The photographs really don't do the blade justice (taken on the iPhone).

What do you reckon?

Can't wait to get this along with the W&B Celebrated hollow off to Neil

[Phrank]

For approx $20 looks like you got an awesome deal and an fantastic blade.

A Celebrated JR...simply can't go wrong with that...looks like a 6/8?

Either way, congratulations, you did well!

[BobH]

You made out like a bandit as far as I can see, good find. May be it is just me but I see a smile to the blade and it looks like it follows the curve of the spine which if that is so is the way it should be. Not only does it look like it has minimal hone wear the bevel looks to be thin and even too. Should turn out to be a great shaver once it is honed up.

Bob

[DaveTheGeordie]

For approx $20 looks like you got an awesome deal and an fantastic blade.

A Celebrated JR...simply can't go wrong with that...looks like a 6/8?

Either way, congratulations, you did well!

I'm very pleased with it. I love the Joseph Rodgers razors. My biggest regret was getting rid of a decent near wedge Neil Miller sorted and put new horn scales on for me. I couldn't shave with it and being too impatient sold it cheap to someone who really didn't appreciate it. My lesson is learned. I will never sell another, I may give the odd one to a close friend but I'll not sell any more.

You made out like a bandit as far as I can see, good find. May be it is just me but I see a smile to the blade and it looks like it follows the curve of the spine which if that is so is the way it should be. Not only does it look like it has minimal hone wear the bevel looks to be thin and even too. Should turn out to be a great shaver once it is honed up.

Bob

Happy to be labelled a bandit Bless her, the lady nearly dropped with fright when I was opening a straight with one hand using my other to try and control as very excited spaniel. My wife assured her I'd be okay and that I 'PLAYED' with straight razors constantly at home.

I was offered another Solingen blade with this one for and extra £5 but it had a really bad frown. She said that it was her grandfathers and I suggested she keep it.

[BobH]

Sorry, misunderstood there was another razor with the frown. You had the essence of a good deal, seller got what they wanted for it, you were happy to pay it and no animal were hurt in the process. OMG you got rid of a Neil Miller prepped and rescaled near wedge. You should be on defaulters for that.

Bob

[DaveTheGeordie]

Sorry, misunderstood there was another razor with the frown. You had the essence of a good deal, seller got what they wanted for it, you were happy to pay it and no animal were hurt in the process. OMG you got rid of a Neil Miller prepped and rescaled near wedge. You should be on defaulters for that.

Bob

It was a nice wedge and the scales he put on were period horn with the same peens etc. Really, really regret it. The chap I sold it to had not a good thing to say about it. I actually sent Neil a copy of one of the e-mails. It wasn't a money's no object restore but it was bloody good!

Once more I feel I must extol the virtues of Neil. I didn't have much money at the time and once more he was very good to me. I feel a bit like saying 'Ner Ner, we've got Neil and you haven't' Like I've said before, I won't trust anyone else with my blades.

He was an amateur restorer who clearly knew better that Neil. I really can't express how much I regret doing it. If I still thought he had it I'd give him his money back. Had I kept at it I would be using it now as I am the Brookes and Crookes wedge I have.

You live, you learn eh?

[DaveTheGeordie]

OMG you got rid of a Neil Miller prepped and rescaled near wedge. You should be on defaulters for that.

Bob

Just seeing if we can make that one right. My wife suggested I contact him and ask him to sell it back to me if he still has it and is still not a fan of it. I've emailed, we shall see.
I wouldn't mind but it cost £80 to sort out (Neil doing a big favour) and I sold him it for £60 and ended giving a partial refund of £10. So £50 effectively and the description was 100% accurate with a good few extra photographs sent at his request. I didn't get it restored to sell, I really wouldn't take advantage of someone's good nature in that way. I ended up buying a Merkur Futur with the proceeds and I know which I'd rather have!

[BobH]

Yes, Neil Miller is a true gentleman to deal with and his work is top notch, no complaints about the strop I bought from him for sure. Hope you get it sorted and the wedge finds it's way home. As much as I like full hollows I really get a kick out of honing and using wedges. Funny I have a Brooks and Crookes too, fine shaver.

Bob

[DaveTheGeordie]

Yes, Neil Miller is a true gentleman to deal with and his work is top notch, no complaints about the strop I bought from him for sure. Hope you get it sorted and the wedge finds it's way home. As much as I like full hollows I really get a kick out of honing and using wedges. Funny I have a Brooks and Crookes too, fine shaver.

Bob

His work is indeed top notch and I love my first proper strop. He's not going to love me though. I've somehow managed to dull my favourite razor . He'll be seeing it again. I really do need to learn how to touch up. I don't mind sending them off to be honed but if I could touch up they'd last a bit longer. It still shaves to a degree but 2 WTG and still a good bit of growth, most unusual for this little baby.

The Brookes and Crookes is a beast. You could joint a side of beef with it. Scales are warped and need replacing but that's for later on down the line. It shaves for now and until finances settle down after baby they'll have to stay.

[BobH]

Sooner or later I think most start to do their own refreshing. It is a good way to dip your toe into the honing aspect of the sport. It is fun and can be frustrating at times.

My Brooks and Crookes near wedge is a little one, only 6/8 in size, but nice and heavy. Don't really care for blades larger than that. No warp with it's scales being ivory but have to be careful not to crack them.

Bob