Thread: Need Info

So I'm looking at purchasing two razors:

-6/8 Frederick Reynolds Sheffield, barber's notch, very good condition, comes with box.
-6/8 Sheafworks Sheffield, barber's notch, very good condition, comes with box.

I'll post pics here in a bit. They both look really good. Now here's one and only question:

Are these known to be good Sheffield razors? I already own a Wade and Butcher, and with how it shaves, I'd love to add more to the collection.

Thanks guys.

Nobody? Well, I went ahead and picked them up, along with this Wade and Butcher...



I know the scales don't look too hot, but the guy said they're good other than a nick in the end (I could tell something was wrong with it, so I asked). I figured I could always replace the scales down the road, but at the same time I always like to keep things as original as possible.

For the price I got all 3 at, I couldn't pass it up. Hopefully they're good in person. I asked for more pics, but they were just blurry. Guy said it was the best he could do, only camera he had...

From what you can see the look pretty good. Hope they are as nice in person.

Originally Posted by Chevhead

From what you can see the look pretty good. Hope they are as nice in person.

That's what I'm hoping as well.

The Sheathworks - not a maker AFAIK. The "Sheath Works" was built by razor makers William Greaves & Son in 1823 - the company was liquidated in 1850. In the 1840s Benjamin James Eyre was a partner in William Greaves & Son - after Greaves & Son finished he B J Eyre formed Eyre, Ward & Co makers of cutlery and razors). Thomas Turton & Co (steelmakers) had taken control of the Sheath Works (they were later joined by Frederick Mappin (of Mappin Bros - later to be Mappin & Webb), who later assumed control of Thos. Turton & Co. Although Thos Turton & Co owned the Sheath Works, they gave over the cutlery department to Eyre, Ward & Co.

When a partner died, B J Eyre continued to trade alone from the Sheath Works as B J Eyre & Co., although he had acquired another factory in the meantime), but by 1863 they had relocated to Rockingham Street. B J Eyre & Co were known to have "B J Eyre & Co. Late W. Greaves & Sons" and "B J Eyre & Co. Sheath Works" on the tangs of some of their razors, the former mark used by Frederick Wiebush, an american importer/trader from 1876 after he acquired B J Eyre & Co.

So - your Sheath Works razor is more likely to be a Greaves, possibly an Eyre Ward & Co and possibly a B J Eyre & Co - I'd go for the Greaves, though. All makers have a fine pedigree, though, so the razor should be fine.

Frederick Reynolds is also a well respected razor maker. Some of the steel used by that company appears to have been very hard, and a bit difficult to get an edge on, but a good maker nevertheless. Frederick Reynolds was from Derby originally. In the 1840s he was at Sims Croft, Sheffield, then in 1849 he moved to School Croft, then in 1860 he moved again to Gell Street and in the 1870s to Monmouth Street. The latter two addresses were used by Frederick Reynolds Ltd (they became a Limited Company in sometime in the early 1920s) and in 1936 by the re-named Frederick Reynolds (Cutlers, Sheffield) Ltd. The company stopped trading sometime before 1950.

Regards,
Neil

Wow, thanks for all the info!

I was wondering if the Sheaf Works was made by Greaves or not. When I looked it up, I could only find it associated with Greaves, not by itself. I wonder why this one doesn't have anything other than "Sheaf Works, Sheffield" on it?

As for all three of them, about how old are they you think? I know if the razors don't say England on them, then that *should* date them farther back, or am I wrong on that? I just read somewhere that at some point they had to start adding England after Sheffield on razors, but maybe that was just for Wade and Butcher. Either way, as far as I can tell, none of these razors say England on them.

I'm also thinking the W&B will need replacement scales, but we'll see what it looks like when I get them.

I saw those online, im glad someone here get them. you got the best ones there.
i love those old Sheffield razors, that's all i shave with.

I don't know the age as i pretty much a newb. A jealous Newb....congrats on the purchase.

here is a link to manufactures, doesn't really help you on dating them, but I use it for lesser known brands...
Straight Razor Manufacturers and Dates of Operation

Matt

Looks pretty good to me mate, although I'm still learning as well. It seems like it's getting harder and harder to see the flaws as people get better and better at covering them up

Originally Posted by 73norton

I saw those online, im glad someone here get them. you got the best ones there.
i love those old Sheffield razors, that's all i shave with.

I don't know the age as i pretty much a newb. A jealous Newb....congrats on the purchase.

here is a link to manufactures, doesn't really help you on dating them, but I use it for lesser known brands...
Straight Razor Manufacturers and Dates of Operation

Matt

Thanks for that link, Matt. I will check it out!

Yeah, I originally wanted just the Wade and Butcher, but felt he was asking too much. He justified his price by saying he's seen them go for $300 on the 'bay. I think he was talking about the FBUs though (For Barbers Use), but I didn't want to be rude and argue. So I shifted focus to the Sheaf Works and Frederick Reynolds, figured hey, why not get two old Sheffield razors for about the price of one. After some emails back and forth, he offered to throw the W&B in as well at a highly discounted price, because something came up and he needed money quick. I couldn't refuse the offer. All 3 razors are on their way now to Larry at Whipped Dog for honing then they will be coming to me. I asked Larry to let me know if there are any serious issues with them, other than the known nick in the scale on the W&B. I plan on keeping these all original for now, maybe do some new scales down the road.

Originally Posted by saitou

Looks pretty good to me mate, although I'm still learning as well. It seems like it's getting harder and harder to see the flaws as people get better and better at covering them up

Yes it is. That is why I was extremely skeptical on this deal. The pics were too blurry for my liking. But after some emails and asking for more pics, I could tell that the guy just either had a not-so-great camera that couldn't focus in close range, or he didn't know how to use it. He said it was the best he could do, and I am more or less taking a gamble, hoping it pays off...