Thread: Evatt Cast Steel 1700s?

That is cool. I would leave the blade in its present state, hone it use it.
I would make a matching scale for the broken one.

It was probably made by William Evatt around 1791-1805.

A quick look through the usual sources doesn't turn up much, as is usually the case for folks working in that period. Here's the brief sketch I can put together.

William Evatt was born in the 1770's to Joseph Evatt a basket weaver from Castle Donington. In 1782 William was apprenticed to William Wright, a general cutler, and he served the full 7 years of his apprenticeship and was ultimately freed in 1790. It would be after that point that he was allowed to make goods with his name on them.

In 1791 William -- now listed as a razor maker --apprenticed Joseph Ingle. Ingle did not complete his apprenticeship.

In 1795 he took on Samuel Marsh as an apprentice. Marsh never completed his apprenticeship, which was fairly common. Apprentices would often join the navy rather than complete their term because the life on a boat was perceived to be (and in actuality regularly was) much easier.

In 1797 he took William John Auslick as an apprentice. Auslick never completed his apprenticeship. Evatt may not have been the best guy to work for.

And that's it. I bet Neil Miller can turn up more!

The fact you were even able to conjure all of that up is astonishing to me.

For those who have, just given the less refined design, what was the shaving experience like using one of these style straights?

Originally Posted by kcb5150

For those who have, just given the less refined design, what was the shaving experience like using one of these style straights?

Its a wonderful experience, just think of where and what and who this razor belong to, every serious straight razor shaver should have at least one!

Originally Posted by Martin103

Its a wonderful experience, just think of where and what and who this razor belong to, every serious straight razor shaver should have at least one!

I wonder if there are enough salvageable example left for a decent percentage of them...

Originally Posted by kcb5150

I wonder if there are enough salvageable example left for a decent percentage of them...

Have you been to the stub tail sub forum ? Plenty of them to be seen ........ http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...d-shavers.html

Originally Posted by Martin103

Its a wonderful experience, just think of where and what and who this razor belong to, every serious straight razor shaver should have at least one!

Have any to sell?

That blade is a beauty, and I would leave it just the way it is and hone her up! I agree with the late 1700s assessment. My opinion is that polishing would be a mistake. Take off the active rust yes, remove the patina? no way. Its well earned character, and as an oxide might even provide a slight protection against future rusting. (or am I smoking crack here?)

Originally Posted by kcb5150

For those who have, just given the less refined design, what was the shaving experience like using one of these style straights?

It is, as Martin said, very satisfying to shave with a razor made 200+ years ago. Having shaved with a couple of them, the only thing I would stress from a practical viewpoint, is that you have to be conscious that you don't forget that there is no separation between cutting edge and tang.

I imagine that quite a few split thumb pads are responsible for the distinct transition between edge and tang that occurred in the early 1800s.