Thread: What' this?

A while back I purchased a razor that is stamped, "Joh. Engstrom, Eskilstuna, Sweden". This razor is a very narrow wedge, the spine is not much more than 1/16" thick and the edge is curved almost like a saber. It has a separate metal piece that slides over the spine which I am guessing is used to maintain the proper angle when honing/stropping. Also since the entire blade is so thin the scales cause it to feel a bit unbalanced. Has anyone else come across anything like this and what are they used for? A specialized barber's razor, perhaps? I don't have my camera available at the moment and don't think it will take a picture good enough to show much detail but I'll try and maybe post a pic tomorrow.

Kurt

It does not happen to be worn thin?

Sounds like an early frameback.

I've got a couple of them. The spine was originally soldered or pressed on. It should be solidly affixed - you shouldn't be able to take it off.

AFAIK they're just a particular style of frameback. They were probably very easy to make since they don't need much machining, just stamp out a razor-shaped flat piece of metal and grind an edge on it.

They are balanced fine if the spine piece is properly attached, and mine are great shavers among my favorite razors.

I have an EAB frameback, which is 4/8 and less than 1/16. It is very light, bit the scales are thin, small, and light - so there is no problem with the balance. Maybe yours has replacement scales.

I am very close to getting it shave-ready (I did shave with it several days ago, just the 1st pass). Very stiff, much stiffer than my 6/8 full hollows. Being so small has advantages (maneuverability) but it's so thin it almost gets lost in my fingers and it does have to be wiped more often than the bigger blades.

I like it very much, but maybe will keep this for a travel razor, or just to add variety once in a while. I plan to use my 7/8 Joseph Elliot or 5/8 Wostenholm framebacks more often, especially the 7/8

Cheers
Ivo

The one in the picture is a 6/8, but the scales are very light on that on as well -- actually, the whole razor is very light, it weighs less than some of my 4/8 razors. It's got a very stiff wedge blade, so it still shaves very well.

The spine on mine appears to be plated brass (the plating is getting very thin), so I have to tape it before it goes near a hone, but that's the only knock I have against it.

My 4/8 has the tinted spine too, as well as the 7/8. The 4/8 is badly worn, but the 7/8 is pristine. I love it, even though I generally hate gold trim. It kind of seems to be this color for a good reason - not just embellishment. When I look at this 7/8, I just see an impeccable blend of style and quality. Its age (early - mid 1800) adds to its appeal.

Cheers
Ivo

Yes, mparker, that razor looks the same as mine even down to the stamping on the tang. I suppose it's honed the same way as hollow ground razors.