Quote Originally Posted by Maximilian View Post
I don't have a new source for the Bolsters. As to bakelite. Did you know it was a invented by a Belgian, Chemist L.H.Baekeland c.1909. Best way to know if it's bakelite. Rub your fingers over the scales until it gets very warm. If it smells anything like formaldehyde or a carbolic acid it's bakelite. It's a very particular smell. Same smell when using a hot needle. Another trick is to use scrubbing bubbles. Spray some on a Q-Tip and touch the scales. If the Q-Tip turns yellow it's bakelite. (you won't harm the scales).
Quote Originally Posted by tat2Ralfy View Post
Also Celluloid which is very similar to bakelite has a distinct "Vicks Vapo Rub" kind of smell I believe.

Nice looking Razor, is it by chance a Clover Four?
Thanks. It only has one engraving that reads "NABOB". I don't know the age of the razor and originally thought the scales might be French Ivory but I don't think so now. After scouring the web for months I found another NABOB razor with a different type of scales. The description of the razor was:
The Nabob cut throat razor has a 5/8”+ Hollow ground blade.
Engraved on the tang are the words “NABOB REGD”
On the reverse is “Walter Belk & Son Kingsley Works Sheffield Eng”
On the blade there is “E. Loft. Hornsey. N"

I believe Nabob means "The Best" in Hindi. Perhaps this was made during the British occupation of India or maybe the manufacturer was trying to romanticize the blade.
I purchased the razor at my local antique store in April. I also bought a spike point with bone scales at the same time. It was not as sharp as the NABOB so I didn't use it until I bought a set of Norton stones. Using a pocket microscope from Radio Shack I found that it had microscopic nicks along it's edge. I got those out. I sent the NABOB to one of our honemiesters (thanks gssixgun) and found out what scary sharp is all about. LOL I get BBS saves almost every time with it, but I do nick my chin area nearly every time. After the shave, my skin feels so much better than it ever did with an electric or multi-blade cartridge razor.