Thread: Rodgers and Sons VR Wellington Razor

I just got this one in hand from an auction a while ago. It is a near-pristine razor from Joseph Rodgers and Sons in tortoise. The grind is concaved with original crocus polish (you can still see the directional lines vertical on the upper part and horizontal where it was concaved), and the spine is etched 'No. V', so it must have been part of a larger set. This razor has been fortunately pampered most of its life.

wrap it up, I'll take it

I'm looking forward to hearing how it shaves!

The Crookes I've got in that grind feels pretty different from any other razor I've used.

I think we need some pics here, for the record.

Originally Posted by ScienceGuy

I think we need some pics here, for the record.

But of course!







Whatever cleaning left those scratch patterns on it wasn't sandpaper, I'm pretty sure, since so much of the original finish remains.

I'm starting not to like you again..

THAT is a BEAUTIFUL razor!

What is the date period for that razor and why the vertical marks on the blade? If that's a grinding wheel, I gather it was reground, when would that have occurred and any reason for that method? Certainly a beautiful razor....how common, or uncommon, are the Crookes?

Originally Posted by Wullie

I'm starting not to like you again..

THAT is a BEAUTIFUL razor!

If it's any consolation, I paid for that razor with time spent in Kansas City.

Originally Posted by Phrank

What is the date period for that razor and why the vertical marks on the blade? If that's a grinding wheel, I gather it was reground, when would that have occurred and any reason for that method? Certainly a beautiful razor....how common, or uncommon, are the Crookes?

1840's, I think. But the grind goes back to at least 1816. They were made like that originally. It was just another way of getting a thin edge, and thus easier to hone. The infamous Mappin & Webb Lancet Point is a more extreme version of the basic design. That sort of extra grinding was a swage cut, in the jargon.

I don't see a lot of Jonathan Crookes razors, but I've wanted one since forever because his trademark stamp is so fun (a heart and a percussion pistol arranged so it's unclear if the pistol firing out the heart or shooting into it). The family spans back into the fuzziest history of the Cutler's company, and the heart & pistol mark first appeared in the 1780 Gales & Martin directory (though it looks like that Jonathan had gained his freedom by 1756, having been apprenticed to his father, also named Jonathan). There's some really fuzzy bits back there, but a Jonathan Crookes also (and this brings things right back around!) worked for Joseph Rodgers, and apparently was involved in the famous Year Knife. But he also made things under his own name, and became very wealthy doing it. The business stayed in the family until 1896, when Joseph Allen bought the marks. Knives of one sort or another got made with that stamp on it until the early 1990's!

My crookes looks nothing like that, same but without the grinding at the bottom, I really do like their blades though! Nice one sir!

Originally Posted by DennisBarberShop

My crookes looks nothing like that, same but without the grinding at the bottom, I really do like their blades though! Nice one sir!

Can you post a pic of it?