Joseph Rodgers & Sons The Royal Razor

Just got this razor in today.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...psf5276df1.jpg

I think the scales are ivory but don't really know so I need some help there. They are wafer thin. The seller said there were no cracks in the scales but you guessed it, there was one. Is there anyway to keep it from getting worse, CA?

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...psb354dc4d.jpg

I am trying to narrow a date down for this razor. My thought is that it is 1850s to 1891 by the stamping and shape of the scales. I would appreciate it if someone more knowledgeable could tell me if I am in the ballpark with the dating or better yet narrow it down some more. Thanks.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...ps7fdfd28a.jpg

Bob

very nice .. a Torrey razor i got a couple weeks ago were super thin also and i had thought the same thing about being ivory , i havent performed any test to see and figured id leave them alone ..lol..
if they are ivory here is a link that may help
http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...ked-ivory.html

That crack will not get any worse as it go's into the wedge hole and will end there,If the crack is super clean and dry,some thin CA may work,perhaps several applications knocked down with fine micromesh,nice blade:)

That is a beauty Bob. IME cracks at the wedge end can remain stable for years. I've got an ivory scaled helje 32 that I've had since the mid 1980s with such a crack and it has never gotten worse. I've never done anything to reinforce it. I just handle it with TLC when stropping or shaving with it.

Thanks Jimmy

I am considering all options. Never had a razor with ivory scales and was a bit shocked at how thin and delicate seeming they are. TLC for sure. Working on cleaning up the blade and that is a bit scary considering the scales.

Bob

All of the old ivories I have seen or had were thin like that. Tough stuff I guess.

Decided to keep it despite the crack after getting a partial refund from the seller. Honest mistakes happen. Cleaned the blade up enough to be presentable and rest the bevel. That took a little longer than expected due to a tiny chip in the edge. Stropped and shaved with it this morning for a BBS. She is a keeper.

Bob

Just an update to show how it all turned out and to say thank you for the advice given on cleaning and preserving the ivory scales. Decided to do a more extensive clean up now that I knew she was a good shaver. I thought unpinning the blade was a little beyond my skill level so I settled for cleaning the blade pinned. Not perfect by any means but presentable and worth the effort I think.

Bob

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...ps90643f45.jpg

Wow, that is nice. Those are some top notch scales, the lines really jump out after the cleaning.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ScienceGuy

Wow, that is nice. Those are some top notch scales, the lines really jump out after the cleaning.

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Thanks, I am really happy how the turned out crack and all. It is also the only ivory scaled razor I have owned.

Bob

Very nice,thats grade A gem quality Ivory.Has always amazed me how the old timers cut that stuff (Is truly an art)
Unaffordable today.

Yea, they must have been something good at it. They are so thin and almost translucent you can see the lead wedge though them. Just a joy to admire. Funny thing the seller said they were not ivory, don't know if he was kidding or not.

Bob