Thread: My first vintage. Not sure what to expect

Hi folks,

This was an impulse buy. I am a very decent SR shaver by now, but I have never tried a razor with a nice "smile". I checked ebay today, and the first thing that popped up was this Frederick Reynolds razor which looked very nice, but time was running out fast, so I had not time to think. I paid $55 for it.
What do you think?
Also: how old do you think it is? (I'm guessing 60 yrs?)

Another pic...

Ha! Yeah I was hoping to win that badboy.. I too loved the smiling blade. Don't know too much about that razor but it looks real nice. Enjoy.

Originally Posted by HogtownHank

Ha! Yeah I was hoping to win that badboy.. I too loved the smiling blade. Don't know too much about that razor but it looks real nice. Enjoy.

I'll report back on how I like it, and good luck on your future bidding

Would be interesting if some enthusiasts here can tell me something about it....

If I'm not mistaken, the absence of a country of origin means that it is pre 1890 or '91. I have the same one. It was a pain in the but to hone originally, but once I got a nice edge on it it has held up rather well. I shaved with it once and it was a fine shaver, as fine as any of those older buggers out there. I too really like the frowning razors. I find that the absence of the square point is one less thing to worry about. Of course, that didn't stand in the way of my recent buy - that I adore, mind you - a 7/8 Hart square point. But, anyway, an excellent razor. Heck, I do believe that razor was born before my great-grandfather, he lived a full life, worked on the atomic bomb project and he's been dead now for thirty years! So, enjoy, that razor has seen more history than we ever will!

That predates 1891. Nice!

Originally Posted by cflaageriv

If I'm not mistaken, the absence of a country of origin means that it is pre 1890 or '91. I have the same one. It was a pain in the but to hone originally, but once I got a nice edge on it it has held up rather well. I shaved with it once and it was a fine shaver, as fine as any of those older buggers out there. I too really like the frowning razors. I find that the absence of the square point is one less thing to worry about. Of course, that didn't stand in the way of my recent buy - that I adore, mind you - a 7/8 Hart square point. But, anyway, an excellent razor. Heck, I do believe that razor was born before my great-grandfather, he lived a full life, worked on the atomic bomb project and he's been dead now for thirty years! So, enjoy, that razor has seen more history than we ever will!

Possibly that old? Very interesting! If it's difficult to hone I'll probably send it to one of the experts around here. I only have a very fine-grit Chinese water stone at home. It works well if it's not too dull though.

When I first honed my own razors I was 'alright' at it. However, in my past life I was a commercial fisherman, therefore, I have been honing my whole life. Also, as a hunter, I butcher my own game, which requires a fairly sharp blade. And, if truth be told, any idiot can basically hone a straight [line] edge on any razor. But, I must say, those sweeping dear smilers, the frowning ones that I so adore, they took a little getting used to. Frustrating actually. Give it a try and it'll come. A valuable skill for years to come, good Lord willing.

Thanks folks! Maybe I should buy a grittier stone? On the other hand, the edge doesn't look bad in the pictures.

Originally Posted by trondsi

Possibly that old? Very interesting! If it's difficult to hone I'll probably send it to one of the experts around here. I only have a very fine-grit Chinese water stone at home. It works well if it's not too dull though.

Definitely that old and I love those blond pressed horn scales. Is that a previous owner's name etched onto the blade? Never seen that before, on scales often, but never on the blade.

Originally Posted by trondsi

Thanks folks! Maybe I should buy a grittier stone? On the other hand, the edge doesn't look bad in the pictures.

Certainly higher than the Chinese stone you have (unless you have a burning desire to acquire Carpal Tunnel Syndrome).