Thread: Calling on the historical experts, I'm stumped! An unassuming mystery razor.

Amazing find, Zak. As was noted, in the best of hands! Kudos!

Originally Posted by Voidmonster

It's also sobering to note that Stodart died a year after that paper was published -- sobering especially when you read the paper and all the chemical reactions Stodart is describing and you realize just how much toxic material the man was breathing in order run experiments on the composition of the alloys they commissioned.

I'm worried about you Zak. It may be risky to shave with those. Who knows how many poor souls have bit the dust because of them. Stropping them undoubtedly fills the air with toxic waste.

They are like the famed 'Mummy's Curse.' Those who tamper with them .........

Send them down to me Zak and I'll take the risk. If I don't survive I'll make sure there are instructions to return them to you in a hermetically sealed canister with bio hazard symbols on it.

Well, I always like a happy ending. The best part is when finally finding the missing piece to the puzzle! Congrats Zak on your new acquisitions plus learning what the original one you have is. Always a good feeling of satisfaction. You started the year out right.

Originally Posted by engine46

Well, I always like a happy ending. The best part is when finally finding the missing piece to the puzzle! Congrats Zak on your new acquisitions plus learning what the original one you have is. Always a good feeling of satisfaction. You started the year out right.

Really, so said Bill Clinton when he went for his last massage.....

Stunning Zak, amazing condition for age.

Just enjoyed rereading this thread from start to finish and for me illustrates what a class act forum this is- its just amazing the effort from so many members from Voidmonsters original posting, who contributed so much effort,knowledge and time, from the genealogy to the research its just amazing how much was found out and pieced together. For me one of the best threads we've had. It hasn't though helped with my barely concealed envy of those Stodart razors !!

Linking these here so they are all in one place: http://straightrazorpalace.com/show-...dart-pair.html

Found on ebay france for a pittance. It's not a razor but an amputation knife. We recognize the first punch dating from the eighteenth century. I only have to restore it; I could see that the steel has a damask pattern

This is awesome! It's always cool to see pieces other than razors made by the cutlers.

Hello, regarding the Stodart's - Cutlers & Surgical Instrument Makers of 401 Strand, London; The Alloys of Steel article from the 1823 Morning Chronicle confirms that James, David & Samuel were relations, this concurs with the last Will & Testament of James Stodart FRS, whereby he mentions his two brothers David & Samuel and a nephew David, my G,G,Grandfather David did have a son called David. The Robert Riddle Stodart Genealogy of the Stodart's shows Samuel as a brother of James FRS who left a family in India. The British Library have confirmed that they hold a burial record for Samuel Stodart, the record confirms what I have already established that he died aged 51, his occupation as a Surgical Instrument Maker, and his burial date 27th March 1839. They have opened up another avenue unknown to me - a John Stodart was the Head Cutler at Calcutta Dispensary; they also hold a deed of covenant for a James Stuart, dated 21st September 1837, this document is a contract between James Stodart of Strand, London, Middlesex, and the honourable East India Company. James Stodart is described as a Cutler and Surgical Instrument Maker, and the record shows that he was engaged to clean, repair and superintend the surgical instruments belonging to the Company at Calcutta in Bengal. The Library suggests that it may be that John and James are related but do not have the time to research anymore; the contract date of 1837 should rule out James Stodart FRS! (or was his name used even when deceased?) I have found other information on another James Stodart Cutler etc., which I am researching now. Anyway to where we are at now - starting with myself Philip John Stodart born 1953 - son of Frederick Hearne Stodart born 1917 - son of Hearne Stodart born 1865 - son of Samuel Stodart born 1816 - son of David Stodart born 1779/80 died 1840, brother to James Stodart FRS born 1760 died 1823, brother to Samuel Stodart born 1788 died 27th March 1839 burial place Bombay, India. James FRS, David & Samuel are the sons of - James Stodart born 1733 died 1815 - son of James Stodart born 1703 died 1816 - son of James Stodart born 1645 died 1726 - son of James Stodart born ...... died 1678 - son of John Stodart of Liberton, Edinburgh, born about 1545, he was alive in 1643 according to the Robert Riddle Stodart Genealogy of the Stodart's. So at last it is I think beyond reasonable doubt that it is established that my G,G,Grandfather David was bother to James FRS and Samuel. My G,G,Grandfather David's son Samuel obviously complicated things but the was not a Cutler, but a scribe. What also complicates things is the Robert Riddle Stodart Genealogy tended to follow the name James; the James born 1703 and married to Marion Haig had 9 children - Robert Stodart born in 1748 was the piano manufacturer, he patented what is known as the English Piano Action, which as I understand it's what is used basically on all pianos today. One of Robert's children was John Riddle Stodart, one of his sons was Robert Riddle Stodart (the Genealogist) of the Lyon Office Edinburgh, he made a major contribution to Armourial Arms, 2 impressive volumes one of which contains Scottish Arms in beautiful coloured drawings, only 300 or so copies were produced I believe. Robert Stodart the piano makers eldest brother was Adam, born 1719, two of his children Matthew and William continued the piano business until its decline around 1851. There is much more to research, I apologise for any possible errors or omissions in what I have printed. Life is strange at times I have met one Adam Davy, his G,G Uncle was Humphrey Davy, a friend and associate of James FRS! Another Robert Stodart ended up in Tasmania and established the Stodart Hotel in Hobart, and later a Hotel in Bagdad in Tasmania, I have visited Tasmania, the Hotel in Hobart was hidden behind other buildings and when last there a row was taking place on whether to keep it or not. The Hotel in Bagdad has long gong as far as we could ascertain. Regards phil Stodart.