got a old ixl wostenholm today

well all i won the bid on a good old IXL Wolstenholm Sheffield England tonight. It is a nice on at than and a very old one to boot. It needs a little cleaning but that's OK I can do that, Then it will look great and it will look great in with the 9 IXL Wolstnholm knives I have in my case.n See you all tomorrow and when I get the right download I will be on the chat with you all soon. See ya guys and gals and and have a great night and a better day tomorrow.
SHADE46

Please turn caps off.

Congrats on the IXL. They're great shavers; in fact, my current favourite is an old IXL.

I love the Wosty's too. They don't have the same rep as W&B, so they don't command the same prices. That's good for me :-)

Yep, my IXL (that I bought from Dylan/holli4pirating) is a great razor, my go-to wedge for those heavy growth days.

BTW Dylan - I've since done some dating research and she's quite a bit older than we originally thought. The trademark stamp indicates that it is over 100 years old, definitely older than all my other razors.

I've got a c.1905 full hollow 9/16 Wostenholm IXL and it is by far my best shaver....bottom line.

Guess I will have to try them. I have 2 full hollows 5/8 & 6/8 that have not been shave tested after clean-up. Now looking forward to it.

Thanks,
Peter B.

I have a lovely 4/8 IXL and would really like its bigger brothers to make a set.
Stunning little razor tho :)

ian

I picked up a nice wossey, but as yet have not gotten round to cleaning/honing, though i am looking foreward to using this razor as it seems quite popular.

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Originally Posted by shade46

well all i won the bid on a good old ixl westenholm sheffieield england tonight. and it is a nice one at that and very old one to boot. needs a little cleaning but thats ok - i can do that then it will look great. and it will look great with the 9 ixl westenholm knives i have in my case

see you all tommorow. and when i get the right download i will be on the chat with you all soon. see ya guys an gals have a great night an a better day tommorow

shade46

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Congratulations on your Wostenholm. Is there any way we could see the knives? :D

welcome to SRP

*lower-caps conversion courtesy of Casey Case Converter add-on for Firefox

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Originally Posted by Ryan82

Yep, my IXL (that I bought from Dylan/holli4pirating) is a great razor, my go-to wedge for those heavy growth days.

BTW Dylan - I've since done some dating research and she's quite a bit older than we originally thought. The trademark stamp indicates that it is over 100 years old, definitely older than all my other razors.

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Haha, this is one of the few things that you want to be OLDER than advertised! I'm glad to hear you're loving that blade.

I think the reputation of Wostenholm is increasing as we post. Beware.....

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Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Haha, this is one of the few things that you want to be OLDER than advertised! I'm glad to hear you're loving that blade.

I think the reputation of Wostenholm is increasing as we post. Beware.....

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Wostenholm is better than Filarmonica....there....I said it :roflmao

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Originally Posted by red96ta

Wostenholm is better than Filarmonica....there....I said it :roflmao

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I'll agree! Although I've never had a Filarmonica due to the market prices, so consider me biased indeed!

However, I make a personal point to not have multiple razors by the same maker unless they are vastly different (IE: I want a W&B Hollow ground and a Near wedge).. Yet somehow I have 4 Wostenholms and keep looking for more.

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Originally Posted by holli4pirating

I think the reputation of Wostenholm is increasing as we post. Beware.....

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Dylan, I think you know, that Wostenholms are my favorite razors.
I never heard about bad reputation of Wostenholm.

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Wostenholm is better than Filarmonica

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Of course. :)

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Originally Posted by Ryan82

Yep, my IXL (that I bought from Dylan/holli4pirating) is a great razor, my go-to wedge for those heavy growth days.

BTW Dylan - I've since done some dating research and she's quite a bit older than we originally thought. The trademark stamp indicates that it is over 100 years old, definitely older than all my other razors.

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I'm anxiously awaiting my second Wosty back from LarryAndro, who honed it for me. it's also a near wedge and from the look of the short tail, over 100 years old. Where did you find info on dating these?

Goog

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Originally Posted by greatgoogamooga

I'm anxiously awaiting my second Wosty back from LarryAndro, who honed it for me. it's also a near wedge and from the look of the short tail, over 100 years old. Where did you find info on dating these?

Goog

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Unfortunately I didn't have some kind of handy catalogue or guide. There was a thread last year about dating Sheffields, and John Crowley (of Shaving Shop fame) answered some of the questions. Basically, razors made pre-1895 or so were not required to label the country of origin. After a trade accord (can't remember which one) this became law, meaning razors made afterward would have to read "Sheffield, England" instead of simply "Sheffield".

I wish I could find that thread for you. I had it bookmarked on my other computer; I'm currently on my laptop and can't access the link.

I'm sure Manah would be able to provide more specifics, as he is the Wostenholm-maniac

Mine doesn't even say Sheffield on it, let alone England. Definitely pre-1895.

Goog

The 1891 Madrid Trade Accords required the country of origin be on the item not just the city where it was manufactured.

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Originally Posted by manah

The 1891 Madrid Trade Accords required the country of origin be on the item not just the city where it was manufactured.

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Thanks. So that places mine before 1891. any other telltale signs that will help date it? The tang reads Joseph Wostenholm & Sons EBRO Perseverance Works.

Goog

J Wostenholm EBRO is different from G Wostenholm IXL and/or Pipe. Still a good razor, just not the same maker.

You may find some interesting info from our learned members in this thread: http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...p-razor-2.html

You may find other threads and posts if you search SRP for EBRO

Goog,
Yes, your razor was made by another maker - Joseph Wostenholm.
Joseph Wostenholm, EBRO, Perseverance Works - 1854 - 1867.

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Originally Posted by holli4pirating

J Wostenholm EBRO is different from G Wostenholm IXL and/or Pipe. Still a good razor, just not the same maker.

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:hmmm: Where's the smack head with hand emoticon? I just realized that! I have one of both now. I wasn't even looking at the first name. Didn't figure it to be that common.

Goog

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Originally Posted by manah

Goog,
Yes, your razor was made by another maker - Joseph Wostenholm.
Joseph Wostenholm, EBRO, Perseverance Works - 1854 - 1867.

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Thanks for the dates. That helps me place the age.

Goog

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Originally Posted by greatgoogamooga

:hmmm: Where's the smack head with hand emoticon? I just realized that! I have one of both now. I wasn't even looking at the first name. Didn't figure it to be that common.

Goog

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Here are some choices : :banghead: or :gaah:

But that is not the important part.
Now you have to shave test them to get on
a first name basis with them and report
back....

I think it will be a neck and chin race.
One might win on the neck and the other
on the chin with no clear winner.

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Originally Posted by manah

The 1891 Madrid Trade Accords required the country of origin be on the item not just the city where it was manufactured.

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Thanks manah, that was the exact information I was talking about. I bow to your Wosty wisdom :bow

Well, for all this hubbub about Wosties, the OP owes us all the pic of his new razor! :)

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Originally Posted by Ryan82

Basically, razors made pre-1895 or so were not required to label the country of origin. After a trade accord (can't remember which one) this became law, meaning razors made afterward would have to read "Sheffield, England" instead of simply "Sheffield".

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I have a question. I own two Frederick Reynolds faux framebacks, one 7/8 and one 4/8. Love them both. Here's my question: On the tang it only says "Frederick Reynolds Sheffield." I always assumed that both razors were pre-1895. However, Goins' encyclopedia of Cutlery Markings states that "Frederick Reynolds Sheffield" was only in existence from 1919 to 1926. My understanding is that Goins' is the go-to for accurate information concerning cutlery makers.

Anyone have a thought about that?"
Namaste,
Morty -_-

The history of Frederick Reynolds company is very interesting for me, but I can't find a real answer.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/566034-post8.html

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Originally Posted by Morty

I have a question. I own two Frederick Reynolds faux framebacks, one 7/8 and one 4/8. Love them both. Here's my question: On the tang it only says "Frederick Reynolds Sheffield." I always assumed that both razors were pre-1895. However, Goins' encyclopedia of Cutlery Markings states that "Frederick Reynolds Sheffield" was only in existence from 1919 to 1926. My understanding is that Goins' is the go-to for accurate information concerning cutlery makers.

Anyone have a thought about that?

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I'm not an antique razor expert by any means, but I would suggest that perhaps "Frederick Reynolds Sheffield" was the actual name of the company as opposed to the name and origin ie -" Frederick Reynolds, Sheffield".

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Originally Posted by Ryan82

I would suggest that perhaps "Frederick Reynolds Sheffield" was the actual name of the company as opposed to the name and origin ie -" Frederick Reynolds, Sheffield".

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Thank you, Ryan. That is how Goins' lists it. "Sheffield" is a part of the company name. It still does not have England stamped on the tang. Curious.

Namaste,
Morty -_-

Just saw this thread and thought I'd bring it around again....

I am definately a recent convert to Wostenholm. Bought a 'Washington Works' (1848-1891) I-XL wedge recently (actually, I've seen it described as 1/8 hollow) that is perhaps my most comfortable shave. I also recently got a 'Rockingham Works' (~1826-1847) I-XL full hollow on the cheap that is in the process of being cleaned up and honed. No original scales on this one, but it is one beautiful razor with beautiful lines.

This really grabbed me. I picked up a Wosty IXL back in April and did nothing with it. I've hauled it out and I think I might start seeing what edge I can put on it. It's clean and I think it's still got a decent bevel. Might just need the 8K and finishing.

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Originally Posted by LawsonStone

This really grabbed me. I picked up a Wosty IXL back in April and did nothing with it. I've hauled it out and I think I might start seeing what edge I can put on it. It's clean and I think it's still got a decent bevel. Might just need the 8K and finishing.

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Hone that Wostie up and you will be a convert! I have three Wostenholms and they are all outstanding shavers. Definitely my favorites!

Hey upon your encouragement, I busted out the Wosty. It didn't need much cleaning up. After about 10 strokes on the 1K Norton, the edge felt "very sharp kitchen knife sharp" so I decided to move on up the line to the 4K, 8K, and then the 12K Naniwa, the green CrOx paste on a fabric strop, unpasted fabric, then leather. Except for the last two, where 40 on fabric, 80 on leather is my habit, I decided to go light on the stones.

This AM gave it a try. Very very happy! I just shaved off my mustache and goatee after 35+ years, so that area is very tender and I'm using my old DE on it. But everywhere else, the Wosty smoothly took off the hair, drew no blood, and acted like a long-lost great-uncle full of stories and good humor.

Since this was given to me, I feel like I have sort of won a shaving lottery!

Thanks for alerting me to an unrecognized treasure sitting in my bathroom cabinet!

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Originally Posted by Stroker

Hone that Wostie up and you will be a convert! I have three Wostenholms and they are all outstanding shavers. Definitely my favorites!

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Originally Posted by LawsonStone

I just shaved off my mustache and goatee after 35+ years

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Lawson,

Isn't it remarkable how SR shaving makes you do things you wouldn't normally do? Not to worry though, a very natural reaction :)

Ryan

I have this one and absolutely love it.


http://holli4pirating.files.wordpres...osty-lec-3.jpg

I was just talking about that razor the other day - I'd forgotten who had her.