Thread: Anyone can date this razor?

Originally Posted by Neil Miller

James Bingham was born in Nether Hallam, Sheffield, in 1803 and was making razors by the 1820s. He was located at New Church Street between 1830 - 1840. His makers mark was 'Congruent'. He stopped making razors around 1845 and went to work for George Wostenholm as overseer of the razor-grinders. In 1851 he lived with his wife Euphemia at 97 Broom Spring Lane and gave his profession as 'Manager of Razor Manufactory'. In 1861 he lived at 130 Broom Spring Lane and gave his occupation as Manager - Razor Trade. In 1871 he had moved house again - but still in the same road, this time to No. 180. He gave his profession as 'Razor Manager' - he was 68 yrs old by now. He died at the age of 73 in 1876 and Wostenholm acquired his makers mark.

So, any razor ascribed to James Bingham would fall into a narrow band - 1820 - 1845 and as your razor looks like an early example, probably before the 'Congruent' mark was granted, it is probably nearer 1820.

The six months patent granted to Bingham and Boden lasted for a few years, but the partnership between them and the other partner in the enterprise - May - was ultimately dissolved:



Regards,
Neil

I'm amazed by the info you guys have!
Thanks!

Martin, my first language is romanian. Now I live in Spain, so that would my my second language

Originally Posted by Cristian

I'm amazed by the info you guys have!
Thanks!

Martin, my first language is romanian. Now I live in Spain, so that would my my second language

Spain! cool any Filarmonica,Palmera,Santiago?

I just started, 2-3 weeks ago...
No Filarmonica yet. They get a lot of love here and is difficult to get one. Or at least, one at a good price.There are guys whom find them in old shops, but not very often
I have a Iberia Bassat, they are well regarded too.
A GD and a TI, a really nice one: Oakwing G blade in blonde horn scales.
And, of course, there will be the Bingham, as soon as it wil get here.

Regarding the J. Bingham: what about the grind? do you think it was regrinded sometime during his life, or this is the original grind? I was thinking in that era they made razors less grounded.

Originally Posted by Cristian

Regarding the J. Bingham: what about the grind? do you think it was regrinded sometime during his life, or this is the original grind? I was thinking in that era they made razors less grounded.

You would be surprised, Cristan - it looks original to me - some of Bingham's razors had Congruent Hollow Ground on them, and had crazy, delightful shapes with deep finger notches, like this one:

If it not original somebody did a fantastic job regrinding that razor!

Originally Posted by Martin103

Spain! cool any Filarmonica,Palmera,Santiago?

you are shameless, Martin!

Great thread and a beautiful razor.

Originally Posted by Neil Miller

you are shameless, Martin!

Well i live in New york state and i do have quite a few Ny state razors! so Cristian live in Spain i was purely assuming that more then likely he owns Spanish razors, im sure you have a couple of Sheffield razors! Perhaps i am marked by a lack of shame!

I'm just a joker. I would never have guessed that English was not your main language. Your questions spot on, I am just a wise guy.