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Bought this today. This is the current state after a few hours of work. You don't want to know what this thing looked like when I got my hands on it. In a cocoon of corrosion. Astonishingly, despite being pockmarked, it has a fairly clean zone at the edge where I think it is quite viable! Idea of age? How far do you guys think I should go on the restoration front?
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Great looking razor.would be surprized if that can be revived
Because of the lack of a distinct tang, no transition between edge and tang, I would date it late 1700s. Some who are more well versed in the history will be along to confirm or correct that. Love the old stub tails.
There isn't much going on pitting-wise in the bevel area weirdly. I think it actually might shave again as it is a true wedge and has some meat to it, I think the scales have had it worse than the blade tbh with you.Quote:
Originally Posted by pixelfixed
I like the way the steel looks old, if you can keep it that way and still get it shaving it would be my choice.
Perhaps the scales could get some neatsfoots oil and some polish, hard to see on the pics how they are now.
That is a nice looking razor, and i hope it shaves again. I would try to hone and shave with it about now, leave some of the character it has earned from age.
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?
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!Quote:
Originally Posted by kcb5150
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. :tameshigiri:Quote:
Originally Posted by kcb5150
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. :p
I wonder if there are enough salvageable example left for a decent percentage of them...Quote:
Originally Posted by Martin103
I have to admit that design feature almost bit me once when I was working on it. :dropjaw: Apart from the ergonomics being a bit off, it seems like it would actually be quite a nimble razor. 5/8 at the tallest point for the record.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JimmyHAD
Have you been to the stub tail sub forum ? Plenty of them to be seen ........ http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...d-shavers.htmlQuote:
Originally Posted by kcb5150
That's fantastic that they are all being conserved with such care!
Have any to sell?Quote:
Originally Posted by Martin103
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?)
Is there record or evidence that this was the case, or has the grip evolved with the razor? When I use these I naturally put my thumb on the side of the tang rather than underneath. Neil / Martin? Do you know how these were typically held?Quote:
Originally Posted by JimmyHAD
Interesting point (no pun), I never thought about holding the blade without my thumb on the underside of the tang. In his book, Collecting Straight Razors, Robert A. Doyle places the transition of a distinct tang to the early 1800s. It is my supposition that cut fingers/thumbs were the motivation for that innovation. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by ScienceGuy
That's been kind of common wisdom, but blades in that style had been like that since at least the 1600s. I would think that 100+ years of that experience would lead to a quick change in design. The most compelling evidence I've seen comes from a few pictures, like this:Quote:
Originally Posted by JimmyHAD
Attachment 142647
credit: Shaving Collectibles
You can see how his fingers wrap around the side of the tang, which is what I tend to do naturally with these, as the surface area on the top and bottom is just not really enough to hold. His thumb looks like it goes to the other side.
Not as clear, but it looks like the same kind of hold here, inverted:
Attachment 142648
credit: Clothing and Fashion
And probably the least reliable, but you can see the same kind of finger-side grip here:
Attachment 142649
credit: Wikimedia Upload
So you're saying Sweeny Todd used that grip ...... :rofl2:
That's actually Figaro, but he sure looks scary in that portrait.Quote:
Originally Posted by JimmyHAD
Actually yes! And even before that! In 1727 from this thread: http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...-hollowed.html.Quote:
Originally Posted by ScienceGuy
Clearly describe that the thumb was underneth close to the cutting edge.
Exactly what I was looking for! I can't read French though and am further interested. What does he say exactly about holding it? And is it just for honing or for shaving as well?Quote:
Originally Posted by Martin103
For both! but he also mentions how you should hold the razor differently for against the grain pass, with the thump on the opposite side of the cutting edge.Quote:
Originally Posted by ScienceGuy
Wow, that's awesome! Thanks for providing that.Quote:
Originally Posted by Martin103
Yeah, I would say a pinch grip and locking your wrist at an angle is the only way to make that work. The tang to edge transition managed to slightly nip me but not through the skin while i was working on it.
Love those stub-tails! I know collectors want to keep their razors as close to original as possible but I would go for a full blown restoration. Shave on!
This is finally out to be tested on the stones. Should be very interesting to say the least.
William Evatt Quaker
This helps fill out his later life a bit.
It's alive!! It will shave again!! Bayamontate sorted it out. It sounded like a hell of a lot of work. I'll report back on how this shaves.
This razor was a challenge on many levels but she was fun to dance with.
Having seen you work and shaved with the results, I have no doubt about the finished result. Perhaps more of a tango than a waltz?
Mellow experience to shave with it, but it did the job well enough. He's being modest about the scale of the challenge he was presented with.
