Thread: Ford & Medley razor find.

Hi -

before anything, this might not be in the right place so mod, please move it if you wish, OK?

Right -a bit of news. We've just managed to acquire some 400+ blades in 5/8 and 6/8, mainly round points, that were the last ever made by Ford & Medley of Sheffield in 1930 - 31. These were originally taken home by the then-MD (CEO) of the firm sometime prior to closure, then basically 'left in the attic' for about fifty years. Upon his demise they were passed to his son, who put them in a shed and forgot them for the next thirty years!

Sadly he has gone the way of all flesh and HIS son contacted us to ask if we were interested in them. You can guess the reply!

Upon examination there were 500+ blades - no scales - but the top layer of 100 or so had borne the brunt of years of, basically, outdoor living and it seems like few will ever be usable. However - underneath were packet upon packet of wrapped blades! Now, almost all of these have some measure of 'foxing' but, having worked now on three or four, I can report that they can be quickly be brought back to almost-new condition. They in fact ARE new in the sense that they have never been used but 'NOS' doesn't seem to fit somehow.

Our plan id the gradual refurbishment and sale of all pieces and I think personally this may take a year. Most models will be fitted with basic scales and we would like to think that newbies looking for a good-quality Sheffield piece can actually have one, unused! These have got to be the last of the last, after all.

They will soon be on our site at the vintage razors page but we also have put together what we hope will be an interesting Ford & Medley page, with some old photos supplied by the family. This page is being uploaded as I write and can be found here.

We are of course pretty excited by this find and hope this and the info on the site is of interest!

I'm glad to hear that the family contacted you instead of pitching them out. I bet that happens all too frequently. I'll be keeping my eyes on your page to see the finished razors. They sound great. And the pictures on the webpage are terrific!

...Ray

id be interested in one when there ready if your taking names please put me on your list, or if your willing to sell blades with no scales please pm me details as i have been thinking on making some scales for a while just never had the blade to go with it.

Wow, what a find. I await their appearance with interest. Great page you put up there too.