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Hi Folks,
I would like to ask the experts here if they might be able to ID this Masonic Razor. I don't own it, but it has caught my eye. The vendor says there is a side-ways "J" near the tail on the reverse side, but it is hidden by the scales, and no photo supplied. Many thanks in advance.
http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/...stSteel-12.jpg
http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/...stSteel-08.jpg
This thread may help a little bit:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...ery-razor.html
Charles
Thanks for the link, but it's more about the Swedish 3 crown hallmark, and I'm thinkin' this razor was made in Sheffield......just a wild guess, you know.....:shrug:Quote:
Originally Posted by cpcohen1945
You might take a look at this razor here:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...in-razors.html
A similar Masonic blade etching. Perhaps there will be similar makers marks also? :shrug:
I was drooling over that one a few hours ago. $45?!?!?!? Tarnation! :banghead:Quote:
Originally Posted by BigJim
Yes, it is a Masonic, but it's a W&B (sigh!)
I couldn't tell from the pics what brand it was. Kind of looked W&B, but not stamped like my W&B.Quote:
Originally Posted by bjmoose01
In the other thread that was linked here, there was a comment on the three crowns being used to mark authorized imports to Sweden. That might make more sense. A cast steel Sheffield blade exported to Sweden? Still doesn't tell you who the makers were though. :(
Manah's usually able to figure these things out--you might try to shoot him a pm.
The blade is old. But comparing how polished to death it is the engraving or i it chemical (laser) etching is remarkably in good condition. I would not expect that kind of etch on the blade of that age. Not sure about scales too.
Everything about that razor looks strange .Quote:
Originally Posted by adrspach
Not to mention the pins.
I hope, I'm on true way.:)
I think the razor was made by Charles Cammell & Co., Cyclops Works, Sheffield.
http://www.strazors.com/uploads/imag...es_Cammell.jpg
http://www.strazors.com/uploads/imag...mel_logo_1.jpg
Quote:
Charles Cammell was born in Hull on 10th January 1810. He was the fourth son of
Scottish shipmaster. Apparently Charles' firs encounter with iron and steel was
during apprenticeship to an ironmonger in Hull. In 1830 he moved to Sheffield to
continue his professional carrier. About 1832 he took a position of commercial
traveler with file and cutlery business of Ibbotson Brothers, Globe Works.
The industrial career of Charles Cammell had begun in 1837 when he joined two
brothers, Thomas and Henry Johnson, and started a firm at Furnival Street as steel
and file manufacturers, under the name of Johnson, Cammell & Co.
Johann C. Fisher, a Swiss industrialist and steel maker of the era, described
Charles as "extremely industrious, hard working, plodding, and pushing."
During 1830s and 1840s the railway systems of England, the Continent, America and
elsewhere were undergoing great changes and were being developed with marvelous
rapidity, thereby putting within the reach of iron and steel manufacturers such an
opportunity of extending their business as had never before occurred.
The firm took advantage to the full of the changed order of things, and their
undertaking expanded with extraordinary rapidity. Increased accommodation became
absolutely necessary, and experience had already shown the importance of being in
touch with the local railway systems and through them with the outer world, so that
the raw materials might be more readily and economically received, and the finished
work more easily and promptly dispatched.
In early 1840s their business expended significantly and premises on Furnival Street
became insufficient. A plot of land covering eleven acres was secured in Saville
Street, adjoining the Midland System, and upon it the now far-famed Cyclops works
were erected. They were entered upon in 1845, and with increased facilities for
production the scope of the firm's operations rapidly extended.
In 1852 Mr. Johnson died, and Mr. Edward Bury, then locomotive engineer of the
London and Birmingham Railway, was received into partnership as his successor.
Three years later Mr. Bury retired and the firm became "Charles Cammell & Company."
One of the greatest industrial marvels of Sheffield is the Cyclops Steel and Iron
Manufactory on Saville Street of Messrs. Charles Cammell and Co., producers on a
truly colossal scale, of every description of steel used for machinery, engineering,
locomotive, railway, and other purposes.
This vast establishment comprises almost a small town of factories, the premises
occupying an area of upwards of fourteen acres of ground, and affording employment
to over 1200 persons, the amount of whose annual wages exceeds the revenues of many
a foreign principality. The premises being intersected by the Midland Railway,
within a few hundred yards of its Sheffield terminus, and having sidings and lines
traversing every part of the works, merchandise is conveyed to and from with great
facility. ...
Why so?:)Quote:
Originally Posted by dave5225
The handle and pins were replaced.
Etching was closed by tape and other places on the blade were polished.
As you see, the free places inside etching were not polished. IMO.
Nice old restored razor.
Do you say that technology used to make the etching is from the razor's era? I thought that it came much later. I would expert deeper etching engraving. Of course the etching could be added to my guess around 1900.Quote:
Originally Posted by manah
Here's another one...
Vintage Masonic Etch Cast Steel Straight Razor
Did you say another one or the same one?
I say, how the razor was restored and why looks like there is.Quote:
Originally Posted by adrspach
Are you kidding? Etching goes back to the middle ages, ie including and before the 15th century. I guess that predates this razors era somewhat, don't you? And it is an etching - an engraving is an entirely different thing (but as old or older than etching). I should stop guessing about when technologies were invented - there is plenty of documentation availableQuote:
Originally Posted by adrspach
Thanks Alex - that is exactly what was done - I know, I did it.Quote:
Originally Posted by manah
The original scales were smashed to pieces, the tang and spine were encrusted with rust, thick growths of it, and score-marks from some fool trying to sandpaper the rust off in places. I removed the rust and most of the pitting and the diabolically deep scratches from the sandpaper - that's right ardsprach, I polished an otherwise dead razor 'to death' as you so kindly point out, as I dont like shaving with showers of rust flaking off on my face. I'm funny that way.
The etching was protected as you pointed out Alex - it was the reason I didn't throw the razor.
Regards,
Neil
Neil, nice work. Nice save. And congratulations.
Manah, great sharing of history. Kudos.
+++1! Excellent stuff! Very informative. A multitude of thanks, Gents.Quote:
Originally Posted by pcg
OK I could be wrong about the etching. My opinion was based on experience of same style razors which had the etching/engraving realy deep.Quote:
Originally Posted by Neil Miller
Also when it was shown it was not known that it is one of your restored razors. You can see everyday many simmilar razors which were taken to a polishing wheel. They look all shiny however their heat treatment is long time gone as they got overheated on the wheel and they will not hold edge. Now question how you can maximise potential of this shiny blade? Just add some Masonic etching or on newer ones is quite fashionable to etch something like SS or Wermacht and voila price goes sky high. I am sure everybody who surfed net for razor has seen them.
Now I will leave my crucifiction to others.
That's an awesome restore Neil. Many hours of work you must have endured, but worth it.
No 'could be' about it. And its an etching, not an engraving. And I'd love to be in a situation were I saw many similar masonic etchings.Quote:
Originally Posted by adrspach