Thread: At long last - a fleamarket find

I went for a bit of a roadtrip with SWMBO yesterday to a small town not far from Ottawa. No luck in the antique stores, but I did see a few folks with some tables set up just off the main street. One of the sellers had a bunch of frowny Bokers, a couple of beat-up mystery razors, and one diamond in the rough:

It's a 7/8 W&B:





Normally the older razors I have picked up have had such badly damages scales that I chuck them and start from scratch. These, however, I'd like to save. In addition to the writing on the front side, they are in relatively good shape with one exception: the back side near the pivot looks to have some de-lamination of the horn. Hopefully some searching of the workshop archives will give me some ideas how to deal with that. I'm definitely open to suggestions though.




After taking a potshot at the antique stores and flea markets in this part of the world a few weeks ago, I'm happy to admit that I was wrong - there are good finds to be had around here after all

Sweet! Maybe I should take a potshot at the antique stores here so I can find myself a nice W & B!!

Looks like it should clean up beautifully!! Keep us posted!

Nice! I too have been hitting the shops looking for such a find... No luck here yet!

Looks like a real honey! Those scales are awesome! I want to find one of those really big smiling choppers one day. I've found some good blades, but not a big one line that yet. Congrats!

Thanks guys

Originally Posted by maddafinga

I want to find one of those really big smiling choppers one day.

The bad thing about them is that they can become seriously addictive. Once I get this one ready to use (and another couple others on their way from the bay: another W&B and a Greaves) I'll pretty much have my "big honkin' hunks of mid-19th century Sheffield steel" 7-day set.

Nice find

Try soaking the scales in oil to retain the moisture, I think you will need to sand down those loose flakes, but they shouls still be salvageable.

I've used almond oil (simply because I have some left from when I restored guitars) and let the scales soak for 24-48 hours before cleaning and sanding, worked out pretty well.

Originally Posted by Zephyr

Nice find

Try soaking the scales in oil to retain the moisture, I think you will need to sand down those loose flakes, but they shouls still be salvageable.

I've used almond oil (simply because I have some left from when I restored guitars) and let the scales soak for 24-48 hours before cleaning and sanding, worked out pretty well.

Many thanks! They are soaking in Neetsfoot oil as I type this. Normally making scales is half the fun for me, but I definitely want to try to save these.

Great find, Cangooner! I've been seeing quite a few W & B's here lately, and they do hold a certain attraction for me. Guess I'll have to start looking for one around my home.

Originally Posted by mapleleafalumnus

Great find, Cangooner! I've been seeing quite a few W & B's here lately, and they do hold a certain attraction for me. Guess I'll have to start looking for one around my home.

Merci.

For me it's not just the W&B name but rather the shape and weight of the things. My favourite shaver at the moment is very similar in size and shape to this one, but it's a Joseph Wolstenholm Ebro near-wedge. Currently in 2nd place is another W&B almost identical to this one. I just love the heavier blades, I suppose. Between those and my Tally-Ho, I haven't used a full hollow ground blade for weeks.

Cangooner --
Are you going to leave the patina on the blade, or go for a mirror finish?