Thread: New collector here... Looking for help ID'ing and dating my razors.

This is my collection thus far:


I'm having a hard time finding info on this one. Its stamped with "W Greaves & Sons Real Dutchman Razor" on the blade. Its a really beefy blade with just a slight hollow to it. I'll have to make some new scales for it as well.


And I'm also having trouble finding info on this one. Had to work a nick out of the blade to make it usable.


I can get some close up pics of the others, but I'm most interested in the bottom two at the moment.

Thanks in advance!

--Cev

Welcome to SRP! Those are some awesome razors you've got there!

Here's the information you were looking for:

GREAVES, W & SONS
THOMAS TURTON & SONS LTD
Sheaf Works, Sheffield
ca. 1845 - at least 1919

WADE & BUTCHER
Successor to Robert Wade; succeeded by Butcher, Brown & Butcher
Sheffield
1818-1890 ("Old Sheffield Razors" by Lummus. Antiques, December 1922 p.261-267)

If the blade is marked 'Sheffield, England' then it dates to after 1892. If it only says 'Sheffield' then it's prior to 1892.

I noticed that there are several entries for Greaves... There isn't any mention of Thomas Turton and sons , and its labled W Greaves & Sons, not Greaves, W... And that list seems to be pretty exacting on the order for the labels.

Also, I'm having some trouble getting the Wade and Butcher to hone properly. It just doesn't seem to want to take an edge like my 'Old Dutch' by Geneva Cutlery Co.

Both razors are from very reputable, quality Sheffield makers. IIRC holli4pirating is a fan of Greaves, he might be able to tell you more about them than me. Otherwise, here's the wiki entry: Category:Greaves, W. & Sons - Straight Razor Place Wiki.

The other razor, The Celebrated, is a Wade & Butcher if I'm not mistaken. They are probably the most popular Sheffield-made razor among our ranks, if not altogether. No shortage of info on them.

I'm no razor historian, so hopefully this will get you started on your research

Edit - Looks like red beat me to it....

Welcome to SRP. You ought to send them out to a honemeister and begin shaving with them.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Welcome to SRP. You ought to send them out to a honemeister and begin shaving with them.

You'll notice that my signup date is from last year... It was my quest for sharpness that lead me to straight razors, not my desire for straight razors that fuels my quest for sharpness

Originally Posted by Cevulirn

You'll notice that my signup date is from last year... It was my quest for sharpness that lead me to straight razors, not my desire for straight razors that fuels my quest for sharpness

You're right, I didn't notice. Have fun with those.

Just a note Greaves, W & Sons is the same as W. Greaves & Sons
when doing research the company is listed by last name.

Turton, Thomas and Sons.—Sheaf Works, merchants and manufacturers steel industry.
by being listed under it , may have aquired the company, would have to do further research to find out.

just my two cents worth