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Hi, Bought this razor as I liked its unusual shape, but after searching SRP wiki, the net and other WB faux frameback posts I can't find the same one. If anyone knows anything about it, I would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks.
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Oh, forgot to add... I will need to replace the scales. What is the nicest material / style that also suits its vintage? Cheers.
Please don't quote me on this but i believe that the absence of "England" below the "W&B Sheffield" stamp makes it pretty old, pre 20th century.
As for the scales, it might be worth soaking them in oil and fine sanding - should bring them back nicely and horn can be polished up very well.
Alternative scales - I'm considering Micarta for my next scales, you can use *almost* anything porous so gives plenty of scope. Perhaps an idea?
Thanks, I figured it is likely an older model... I would like to know if this is a common razor or one worth restoring to pristine condition. Im looking forward to having it honed and giving it a shave. This is my 2nd W&B.
She is looking pretty good right now. I'm not sure exactly what you have in mind for a restore, but it looks pretty nice. In the absence of either red or black corrosion I'd just leave it. As for the scales, if you are unhappy with those ones, I'd be happy to have them. It is hard to find an old set in relatively good shape that will pass for 100 years old. I can force patina on a blade easily enough, getting my scales to look like that I am yet to accomplish. It is a very nice example of a well kept antique, that is completely functional.
Nice looking razor. Shouldn't take much to make it shave for another 100 years. The scales are actually in good shape and wouldn't need much to make them shine like new. A good soak in neatsfoot oil, maybe a light sanding and a good polishing is all they need from the looks of them. Unless they are broken or have alot of bug bites they can usually be saved.
interesting... I got the razor for around $100 so I assumed it was a relatively common model or not so desirable. I'm reasonably new to this and I see so many nice razors re-scaled so I thought that scales like this brought an item down in value / collectability / desirability, so I assumed that a rescale was in order. Plus a polishing of the steel.
Think I was looking at that as well - nice blade! I know you'll be happy with that one. If you decide to rescale it, keep the old ones. I do my W&B's in dark horn.Quote:
Originally Posted by Christel
You are correct, the England stamp dates it in the 1800's, probably the late 1800's, others will have more precise dates. A law was passed at about this time that it was mandatory to have a country of origin stamp. So that W&B is defintely 1800's.
It looks to be, if I"m not mistaken, more of a faux frameback, a very nice grind, it's also similar in my opinion to a concave razor like this, which is waiting restoration:
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The scales are horn and look fantastic when cleaned and polished up and like I mentioned they wouldn't take much to bring the shine back. Alot of old horn scales ended up being eaten by bugs and needed to be replaced, but those look solid. As for the blade I would probably just polish it up, hone it and shave with it.
Try searching 'Rattler Grind' and see if this throws up anything of interest. There really doesn't appear to be a great deal that needs doing with the razor - I assume the pivot area is clean, in which case you may not even need to remove the scales. I'd try the neatsfoot oil recommendation followed by light sanding if you still feel it necessary. As for the blade - does it even need any cleaning?
Far from decreasing the value original scales enhance it. It they are not cracked at the pivot, broken between pivot and wedge, replacing them would be a mistake IMHO. We've all seen the Antiques Roadshow episodes where the expert in the field tells the owner that the table, or whatever, would have been worth $100,000 if it hadn't been refinished, but now it is worth $100.00 ....... So if they are all of a piece give them the neatsfoot treatment recommended and you'll have a lovely antique razor to use and hand down to your grandchildren.
+1 that's right UKRob!Quote:
Originally Posted by UKRob
Think it was you who mentioned that before. Although I have a spike point 7/8 chopper, in cigar scales, that has a barely visible etching saying, "Rattler"????
Jimmy is SOOO right!!Once you have used the Neatsfoot oil they should really look nice!!:tuQuote:
Originally Posted by JimmyHAD
+1 to JimmyHAD.Quote:
Originally Posted by JimmyHAD
The W&B's that I've had most have had bug bitten scales(still OK, but fragile), small cracks where JimmyHAD mentions (still OK but fragile again), or simply crumbling scales. Nonetheless, aside from the crumbling scales on two blades, I have kept all of them after a good soak in Neatsfoot oil, and if I ever sell a blade, I at least have the original scales and pins.
I know that appraisals are not done on SRP, but do you think it was worth the $100 approx? I like the look of it, so Im happy even if I overpaid.
Here's the thread I was thinking of - one of the designs is very similar.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...n-rattler.html
And a couple of pictures of an un-named one of mine. It's kind of like the SRP razor.
http://i1270.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3535b4cf.jpg
http://i1270.photobucket.com/albums/...ps38ce7ef7.jpg
Sorry but you are correct about appraisals being a big No No here!Quote:
Originally Posted by AndrewJM
With that said, beauty is in the eye of the beholder! One man's eyesore is another mans prized possession!:tu
Now I highly recommend that you send that blade to OZ! He's in Sydney and he does wonderful work and his edges are legendary! If you need the link to PM him let me know!
I think you did fine on that deal, its in good shape, by a great manufacturer and cheaper than the razors you can currently buy new. Just my opinion though. Nice sr!
Hi All,
Razor arrived and is in very good condition apart from the scales, which are warped, cannot close the blade without the razor scraping. I have read threads about straightening the scales, but many people dont have much success, and I dont have many tools to do much with it. Should I just replace the scales?
I am looking into buying a vacuum canister for hardening wood, I was wondering if anyone has experience using this with neatsfoot oil, leaving it for a few days under vacuum to get the horn really soft and saturated throughout with oil, then clamping it straight or similar and baking wrapped in foil or leaving at room temperature for a a week or two until they harden up again? Or is heat treatment the only option?
I think they would look great with a modern style of scales, but don't want to ruin it for others if I decide to resell in the future.
I know nothing of vacuum systems. scales will draw neatsfoot in easily with exposure. If you put your razor in a ziploc bag with a few ounces of oil and stick it off to the side and leave it for a few days it is a good start. Geezer had a thread here recently about using hot water. Have a look around and see what some others have done and give it a go.
