Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 11
Like Tree9Likes

Thread: Historic W&B Restore - Uncommon Blade

  1. #1
    Senior Member JoeLowett's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    Long Island, NY
    Posts
    718
    Thanked: 142

    Default Historic W&B Restore - Uncommon Blade

    Hey there all, just wanted to share with you this weeks restoration. I did not post this in the 'Show and Tell' Section as there a little more to this restoration then just an old blade given new life; I have only seen one other like it, which was discussed on one of my favorite old thread entitled 'what is silver steel and what is it doing in my razor?'

    That thread opened a can of worms regarding the inclusion of fine and precious metals in to the smelting of early crucible steels. The main pioneer of the movement was started by Faraday in the 1820's. It was also discussed that whether the advertising claims of the day were factual or just a ploy to sell their razor brand; obviously there were many mixed opinions regarding the whether or not fine metal were actually included in to razors of the day with just as many if not more nay sayers then believers.

    A razor same as the restore I just completed was depicted on that thread as evidence of the claims that Silver Steel may have actually contained silver at one time. This razor to me signified more then just advertising rather a moment in time... An important moment in the evolution of modern steel. The razor depicted in that thread is the only other i have ever seen like it...

    Here's the rare features:
    1- Spine stamp- Silver Combined with India Steel
    2- Full Hollow Toe- Way more hollow then a typical Notch of the day
    4- The straight lined tang with deep ridge type hand filed jimps

    I'm dating this W&B to the Late 1830's- 1840's Here's why-
    1. Faraday experiments took place in the 1820's and reached wide spread publication and popularity in the 1830's
    2. Silver steel replaced cast waranted steel in the 1820-30's
    3. Jimping was introduced in the 1830's and the jimping on this blade is different then later styles
    4. Hollow toes were also introduced in the 1830's-40's, this notch seems to be a play on an early notch
    5. Pronounced single stabilzer heel on a full wedge grind suggest earlier production
    6. The tail is forged 'thinner' than later models, longer then previous stub tails yet still drawn thinner then a typical W&B tail


    About the restoration.....

    I bought the blade on the bay, and it came in rough scales that were made out of a 1930's style hardware store ruler with a peened nail in the wedge end and the pivot. The blade had a heavy, even patina that revealed a fair amount of deep pitting. So not to change the geometry of the blade i removed the majority of the pits and staining but couldnt get it all on this one. The pitting is way more pronounced on the pictures and dont really detract from the razor when you see it in person. For the scales i opted for a redwood burl with black G10 liner and a polished CA finish with Double washered brass all the way around. I had to add a middle pin as ther scales bowed a little bit more than i had hopped, but all in all im happy with the way it came out.

    As always Let me know what you think!

    Name:  Silver Steel1.jpg
Views: 342
Size:  39.4 KB
    Name:  Silver Steel2.jpg
Views: 326
Size:  28.4 KB
    Name:  Silver Steel3.jpg
Views: 347
Size:  38.9 KB
    ......... Making Old Razors Shine N' Shave, Once Again.
    -"Sheffield Style"

  2. #2
    Senior Member blabbermouth Hirlau's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    South Florida
    Posts
    13,530
    Thanked: 3530

    Default

    She's a beauty Joe, it's a great thing to see her go back on the line.
    & thank you for the steel lesson.

  3. The Following User Says Thank You to Hirlau For This Useful Post:

    JoeLowett (04-02-2013)

  4. #3
    Senior Member Chreees's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Tennessee
    Posts
    564
    Thanked: 65

    Default

    Now that is an interesting piece...

  5. #4
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Toronto, Canada
    Posts
    220
    Thanked: 33

    Default

    very nice razor

  6. #5
    Greaves is my friend !!! gooser's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    N.East OH
    Posts
    2,297
    Thanked: 307

    Default

    very nice .. id shave with it
    JoeLowett likes this.

  7. #6
    Senior Member Bayamontate's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    New York City
    Posts
    664
    Thanked: 120

    Default

    Excellent job, beautiful razor, the third pin is a nice touch.

  8. #7
    Senior Member JoeLowett's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    Long Island, NY
    Posts
    718
    Thanked: 142

    Default

    I think it's unusual how this blade has features not really commonly seen in other W&B razors? Anybody else have one of these?
    ......... Making Old Razors Shine N' Shave, Once Again.
    -"Sheffield Style"

  9. #8
    Senior Member Slamthunderide's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    South Carolina
    Posts
    443
    Thanked: 85

    Default

    Wow that is a great looking razor, Beautiful job on the restoration.

  10. The Following User Says Thank You to Slamthunderide For This Useful Post:

    JoeLowett (04-03-2013)

  11. #9
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Montreal, Quebec
    Posts
    11
    Thanked: 1

    Default

    The scales are gorgeous! You did a very nice job

  12. The Following User Says Thank You to jeremytough For This Useful Post:

    JoeLowett (04-03-2013)

  13. #10
    Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Clarksville, TN
    Posts
    82
    Thanked: 9

    Default

    The razor is nice but I'm really diggin those scales.

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •