Phoenix Razor Shefield 13/16

Gentlemen,

I found an interesting razor today while perusing an antique store. It's a hollow ground, 13/16, with a barber's notch. The blade says "The Celebrated Hollow Ground Razor Set Ready for Use." The tang says "Phoenix Razor Co. Sheffield for Barber's Use." It has a bit of a smile, some on the pitting on the spine and active rust on the blade. The scales are broken, but will provide a good template for replacements. Should I go traditional and use buffalo horn, or some kind of exotic wood like coccobolo>

I tend to lean towards horn on old sheffields, though I've been known to use G10 from time to time. Really it comes down to the look you will like best.

I just took the scales apart, it has a lead wedge. Any idea how old it might be?

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Originally Posted by oldmanarmy

I just took the scales apart, it has a lead wedge. Any idea how old it might be?

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I would say sometime between 1850 - 1880 .

Quote:

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Originally Posted by oldmanarmy

I just took the scales apart, it has a lead wedge. Any idea how old it might be?

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The pewter or lead wedge isn't much of a tell. The tang stamp stamp not having "England" indicates 1891 or earlier. This due to later cutlery adhered to treaty to stamp country of origin.

I enjoy non-traditional material maybe more than most, but an older Shefield I always feel best rescale in natural animal like horn, bone, ivory, etc with similar wedge.

That is all personal though.

Thanks for the feed back. I was kind of leaning towards horn myself, with a bone wedge. I have to clear out some DE razors to finance the restoration, but when I get it finished, I will post pictures.