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

Originally Posted by Stods713

If you google Medical Antiques .Com and Surgical Instrument Set ca 1830; it displays several photos of a David Stodart case and instruments etc. If you have the computer expertise, perhaps you can transfer it to the Straight Razor site?

Cheers Phil Stodart.

Hi Phil,

Zak is out of pocket at the moment. Is this the site you were referring to?
Antique_Amputation_Set_by_Stodart

Willie

Thanks Willie, that's the site.

If I find any more info I'll post it.

Phil

Sounds good ,Phil.

I've enjoyed your additions of your family's history.

Willie

The information regarding David and Samuel Stodart appears to be incorrect. Samuel, born 1817 was David Stodart's son, Samuel was my G,Grandfather. The Samuel referred to in joint business with David, I believe would be his father, Samuel. James Stodart FRS, & Cutler/Surgical Instrument Maker had, as far as I can establish one brother (younger) Samuel. Their father was a James Stodart, brother to Robert Stodart, pianoforte maker London. James Stodart FRS, makes referance to a David, as his nephew in his will. The information about this comes from a book called "The memoir of James Wyld of Gilston and his family, also of Robert Stodart of Kailzie and Ormiston Hill", by Robert Stodart Wyld. The book can be read online, the appendix at the rear is by Robert Riddle Stodart. ---Thanks Phil Stodart.

Originally Posted by Stods713

The information regarding David and Samuel Stodart appears to be incorrect. Samuel, born 1817 was David Stodart's son...

That's odd, Phil - Samuel Stodart's baptism record is dated 25th June 1816, son of David and Jacobina (nee Anderson) Stodart, married 29th June 1805 and brother of David, Roderick & Charles Stodart.

Although there is no set age for baptism, it isn't often done at birth, so 1817 is not the correct date of birth.

Regards,
Neil

I want to thank all the contributors to this thread. I've had a Stodart razor for years but haven't been able to identify it until now. It has only the crown & star touch mark on the tang without the Stodart name.

But now it's a mystery no more!

Originally Posted by Hanlon

I want to thank all the contributors to this thread. I've had a Stodart razor for years but haven't been able to identify it until now. It has only the crown & star touch mark on the tang without the Stodart name.

But now it's a mystery no more!

Please, please post pictures!

No problem - just snapped a couple quick pics. Sorry the quality isn't great. I've got plans to set up my diffuser screens sometime this summer and do some intensive razor shooting. But these will have to do for now.

Here's the razor, it's a short little travel model. Based on the relative crudeness of the stamp, I'm guessing it leans toward the early years of the Stodart business.

That is one of the more beautiful razors I have seen in a while. Thanks for sharing!

Originally Posted by Hanlon

No problem - just snapped a couple quick pics. Sorry the quality isn't great. I've got plans to set up my diffuser screens sometime this summer and do some intensive razor shooting. But these will have to do for now.

Here's the razor, it's a short little travel model. Based on the relative crudeness of the stamp, I'm guessing it leans toward the early years of the Stodart business.

Yeah. I'd say that's quite early. Late 1700's quite easily. The tortoise shell scales are really in remarkable condition. It looks so old to me that I wonder if it was actually Stodart or if he bought the mark from an earlier cutler.

Probably not a travel razor though. The razors of that era were mostly much smaller.

Do you know anything about where it came from?

I got my Stodart razor from an eBay vendor near Swindon in the UK, so it never traveled very far.

And I'm in total agreement with ScienceGuy. That's a beautiful razor. I'm looking forward to you getting your gear set up and some nice pictures!