Results 1 to 10 of 10
Like Tree3Likes
  • 1 Post By Neil Miller
  • 2 Post By Slawman

Thread: Mappin & Brother SR help

  1. #1
    Junior Member laurent's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Nice, France
    Posts
    20
    Thanked: 32

    Default Mappin & Brother SR help

    My previous thread has not a good and explicite title -- SORRY--

    Hi,
    I am Laurent, I am biginner with straight razor shaving and I begin with the restoration of old razors, (see my short introduction in biginner category).

    Recently I bought a SR Mappin & Brother (see pics), I paid it 2€ (2.7$), I guess it's a good value, but I would like to know more about this SR.

    I already read
    Mappin Brothers - Straight Razor Place Wiki
    Mappin, Joseph & Brothers "Unspecified" 7/8 - Straight Razor Place Wiki

    and other threads about Mappin & Brothers, Mappin & Webb ...

    if someone knows something :
    manufactured period,
    I guess the scale is ivory, exact ?

    And last question: if the scale is in ivory, can I use Epoxy to repair some scratchs, like I read in some threads about Ivory.

    Your knowledge about Ivory repair and Mappin & Brothers brand are welcome

    {{Sorry for may bad and poor english, rectifications are welcome !}}
    Kind regards,

    Laurent
    Attached Images Attached Images   

  2. #2
    Senior Member blabbermouth
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Essex, UK
    Posts
    3,816
    Thanked: 3164

    Default

    Hello Laurent!

    Mappin & Webb have always been held in high regard for first-class jewellery and silverware. Although associated with the London premises, the company began life in Sheffield sometime around 1800. Joseph Mappin, an engraver, had two sons, one making a mint in brewing, the other (also called Joseph) as a maker of knives and razors in Norfolk Street, Sheffield with a partner - the company was called Arundel & Mappin. The sun trademark comes from this period and was granted in 1810.

    Eventually Joseph Mappin (junior)'s son Frederick joined Arundel & Mappin. When Joseph Mappin (junior) died in 1841 Frederick took control of the company and soon employed his three younger brothers. In 1845 they took over William Sampson & Sons and in 1851 they opened the Queen's Cutlery works in Sheffield - one of the largest establishments in Sheffield. In the same year - 1851 - the firm was renamed Mappin Brothers.

    Family disputes split the firm - Frederick left for a senior partnership in Thos Turton & Sons at the Sheath Works and his brother Newton founded Mappin & Webb in 1868. Mappin Brothers was still run by the two remaining brothers (Edward & Joseph), but it was in decline and taken over by an Irish company in the 1880s before being bought by Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co. in 1899.

    Newtons career was quite illustrious and he bought back Mappin Brothers from Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co. in 1903. The company was absorbed into Mappin & Webb and by 1909 cutlery and knife manufacture slowed down and was eventually discontinued altogether.


    The scales are most probably ivory - most of Mappins high-end razors were cased in ivory scales. If the scratches aren't to deep they can simply be sanded out - ivory is a real pleasure to work with and behaves much like a dense, fine-grained timber. Successive higher grits of sandpaper will get you to the point of a satiny shine, and buffing will restore the full glory of the ivory. Stains (other than surface grime and dirt) become embedded - especially around the pivot where they used thin brass washers that stain the ivory a greenish tinge if the razor isn't dried properly. Over-enthusiastic use of oil at the pivot area seeps into the ivory and gives it a semi translucent 'soapy' look - this is next to impossible to remove, too. Don't be tempted to use any harsh cleaners - lemon juice is OK so is toothpaste or a fine abrasive polish, but bleach and solvents can destroy the grain structure leaving the ivory wooly, dry and prone to split.

    Regards,
    Neil

    Regards,
    Neil
    Slawman likes this.

  3. The Following 8 Users Say Thank You to Neil Miller For This Useful Post:

    AlanII (10-27-2010), BladeRunner001 (10-27-2010), Croaker (10-29-2010), JimmyHAD (10-27-2010), laurent (10-27-2010), manah (10-27-2010), RazorTalkin (10-30-2010), Slawman (11-18-2015)

  4. #3
    Antiquary manah's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Israel
    Posts
    2,535
    Thanked: 1783
    Blog Entries
    34

    Default

    Thanks Neil. I tried to find such detailed info about Mappin.
    Alex Ts.

  5. #4
    Junior Member laurent's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Nice, France
    Posts
    20
    Thanked: 32

    Default

    Hi Neil,
    many thanks for your knowledge about Mappin and Ivory !!
    I also saw strazors.com

    Do you have an idea about years old of this SR ?

    cheers,
    Laurent

  6. #5
    Antiquary manah's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Israel
    Posts
    2,535
    Thanked: 1783
    Blog Entries
    34

    Default

    The razor was made approximately 1860-1880. IMO.
    Alex Ts.

  7. The Following User Says Thank You to manah For This Useful Post:

    laurent (10-27-2010)

  8. #6
    Senior Member blabbermouth
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Essex, UK
    Posts
    3,816
    Thanked: 3164

    Default

    Laurent - I would agree with Alex: 1860 - 1880 approx.

    Regards,
    Neil

  9. The Following User Says Thank You to Neil Miller For This Useful Post:

    laurent (10-27-2010)

  10. #7
    Junior Member laurent's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Nice, France
    Posts
    20
    Thanked: 32

    Default

    1860 - 1880, nice !!

    I guess it's the oldest SR I have.

    Many thanks Manah and Neil !!

  11. #8
    Str8 & Loving It BladeRunner001's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Twilight Zone
    Posts
    3,740
    Thanked: 3180

    Thumbs up

    Quote Originally Posted by Neil Miller View Post
    Hello Laurent!

    Mappin & Webb have always been held in high regard for first-class jewellery and silverware. Although associated with the London premises, the company began life in Sheffield sometime around 1800. Joseph Mappin, an engraver, had two sons, one making a mint in brewing, the other (also called Joseph) as a maker of knives and razors in Norfolk Street, Sheffield with a partner - the company was called Arundel & Mappin. The sun trademark comes from this period and was granted in 1810.

    Eventually Joseph Mappin (junior)'s son Frederick joined Arundel & Mappin. When Joseph Mappin (junior) died in 1841 Frederick took control of the company and soon employed his three younger brothers. In 1845 they took over William Sampson & Sons and in 1851 they opened the Queen's Cutlery works in Sheffield - one of the largest establishments in Sheffield. In the same year - 1851 - the firm was renamed Mappin Brothers.

    Family disputes split the firm - Frederick left for a senior partnership in Thos Turton & Sons at the Sheath Works and his brother Newton founded Mappin & Webb in 1868. Mappin Brothers was still run by the two remaining brothers (Edward & Joseph), but it was in decline and taken over by an Irish company in the 1880s before being bought by Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co. in 1899.

    Newtons career was quite illustrious and he bought back Mappin Brothers from Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co. in 1903. The company was absorbed into Mappin & Webb and by 1909 cutlery and knife manufacture slowed down and was eventually discontinued altogether.


    The scales are most probably ivory - most of Mappins high-end razors were cased in ivory scales. If the scratches aren't to deep they can simply be sanded out - ivory is a real pleasure to work with and behaves much like a dense, fine-grained timber. Successive higher grits of sandpaper will get you to the point of a satiny shine, and buffing will restore the full glory of the ivory. Stains (other than surface grime and dirt) become embedded - especially around the pivot where they used thin brass washers that stain the ivory a greenish tinge if the razor isn't dried properly. Over-enthusiastic use of oil at the pivot area seeps into the ivory and gives it a semi translucent 'soapy' look - this is next to impossible to remove, too. Don't be tempted to use any harsh cleaners - lemon juice is OK so is toothpaste or a fine abrasive polish, but bleach and solvents can destroy the grain structure leaving the ivory wooly, dry and prone to split.

    Regards,
    Neil

    Regards,
    Neil
    Man...you're just a walking encyclopedia of razor knowledge Neil. I love reading these blurbs from you.

    Thanks maestro

  12. #9
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Location
    East Central Illinois
    Posts
    782
    Thanked: 101

    Default

    I have some Mappins in my family way back before 1776 .George Marppin was a Rev. war veteran on our side so that got me wondering if he was a brother of Joseph that came here to forge a new life in the colonies. My Mom & Aunt are the geneologist's in our family. I got Mom on the case now & I am sure Aunt Jody will be on it soon. I guess there was a French spelling very early & it was changed to the present spelling in the late 1600's or early 1700's.
    I will let you know what we find out.

    Slawman
    Wullie and Steel like this.

  13. #10
    Senior Member blabbermouth Kees's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    The Netherlands
    Posts
    5,474
    Thanked: 656

    Default

    If I am not mistaken the blade shows unmistakable signs of celluloid rot. Maybe French ivory rather than real ivory? If in doubt remove the scales!
    Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose. Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr.

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •