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.

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.

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.

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

Originally Posted by oldblades

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

Yes, they are listed by that name, but the list isn't consistent... Example: Several of the listings show the first name or first initial as the first part of of the name, If "Greaves, W" actually means "W, Greaves" it would be an exception to the pattern. Also, the Wiki seems to be somewhat contradictory to the info below: http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwi...ves,_W._&_Sons

A. GRAEF
320 Broadway, New York City
Inventory manufactured by Wester & Butz, Solingen, Germany
ca. 1905-1908
CHARLES G. GRAH
Indianapolis, Indiana
ca. 1889-1925
GREAVES, WILLIAM
Shefflield
1780-1816 ("Old Sheffield Razors" by Lummus. Antiques, December 1922 p.261-267)
WILLIAM GREAVES
Sheaf Works, Sheffield
ca. 1820 - 1858
WILLIAM GREAVES AND SONS
Sheffield
Built the Sheaf Works (first large factory in Sheffield) in 1823-6
1816 - 1850 ("Old Sheffield Razors" by Lummus. Antiques, December 1922 p.261-267)
GREAVES, W & SONS
THOMAS TURTON & SONS LTD
Sheaf Works, Sheffield
ca. 1845 - at least 1919

Showing the association of companys.

B J EYRE & CO
B.R. J. Eyre & Co
"Challenge Razor"
B.J. Eyre & Co. Late W. Greaves & Sons Sheffield
Benjamin J. Eyre purchased
W. Greaves & Sons in 1850.
In 1852 the company was reorganized as Eyre Ward & Co

BJ EYRE & CO
WIEBUSCH & HILGER LTD
Sheffield
ca. 1878 - at least 1919
WIEBUSCH & HILGER LTD
Import agency in New York City
ca. 1876 - 1928

WIEBUSCH & HILGER LTD
Sheffield
ca. 1878 - at least 1919

GREAVES, W & SONS
THOMAS TURTON & SONS LTD
Sheaf Works, Sheffield
ca. 1845 - at least 1919
　
Frederick T. Mappin became a partner in the Thos. Turton & Sons

Turton Thomas and Sons Sheaf Works, merchants manufacturers, Frederick Thorpe Mappin ,William Anthony Matthews Debts received and paid by Frederick Thorpe Mappin who will in carry on the business on his own account under the old style January 1870 .

The firm was started by Joseph Mappin in 1810 with a partner a Mr Arundel. They registered a trademark a "Sun" in 1812 and were trading from premises in Norfolk street and Mulberry street. His eldest son Frederick Thorpe Mappin(1821-1910) joined at the age of 13 as an apprentice. He then ran the business following his father's death in 1841. His brothers Edward, Joseph Charles and John Newton, joined the firm later. The business grew, taking over William Sampson & Sons in 1845 and he also bought a London shop, to sell direct and later in 1856 a warehouse. He expanded trade with overseas trips, and setting up agencies in markets like Canada and Australia. The Firm was renamed as Mappin Bros in 1851. By 1851 he became the youngest ever Master Cutl. By 1852 he opened a new factory on Flat street, next door to Rodges Norfolk street works. But after a dispute in 1859 with his younger brother, he left the firm, which later became part of Mappin and Webb.

This is not a complete history but shows how one company aquires something then is aquiered by another then it is part of it.