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The scales were made by pressing slabs of horn in an iron mold. So not exaaaactly handmade, but not machine made either!

Horn is astoundingly durable as long as dermestid beetles don’t find it.
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I've seen maybe one or two with that stamp in my time.

Digging around in records, I can find much, but I can identify the Holbem of Holbem & Co.

It was Thomas Holbem. He's mentioned exactly...

Agreed on all points. It is a really good indicator that it was made before 1770-1780. If the razor has that blade feature, and has a maker's stamp on the top of the tang, it was definitely before...

The tape should descend past the edge of the spine into the hollow of the blade, so the edge isn't touching the hone. On some razors, the spine can have a tall enough profile that it's necessary to...

I’m away from my desktop with the citation, but it was a 10” wheel.

One of these days I'll learn to wait until I've got sources in front of me...

One of these days.

The correct answer is...

The difficulty with using just Leader's books is that it's necessarily incomplete. It's just the records of things that happened at the Company, when the whole purpose of the enterprise was so these...

Scratch that! John's son Joseph was an Assistant Warden from 1746 to 1755.

It's useful info to have out there. This mark comes up a lot and it's never been particularly definitively nailed down. I feel like this thread is getting closer, now.


The Bradshaw family (as...

The folks at the Cutler's Company have always been very helpful where it was possible. Their contact page is here.

You should definitely hone and use it. It's an extraordinary feeling shaving with...

I strongly suggest you look up the Cutlers Company and get in touch with Dr. Joan Unwin. She can clear up the marks issue for you.

When you get the razor, you will see there is significant...

I recommend getting in touch with Joan Unwin on that count. I would bet your razor was made by William Linley in the mid 1770's.

The marks as printed in sources like Gales & Martin or Sketchley's...