Thread: Stierlin scrimshaw razor, possible harpoon blade?

Hey guys, thanks to everyone who commented on my recent post about the Joseph Rodgers scissor tail razor. It was great to get some info on such an unusual razor.

I have another unusual razor to show you guys and see what info you might have on it. This razor is stamped "Stierlin" on the tang and the tang itself is an unusual S-curve. The blade grind is the closest thing I have ever had to a true wedge. I have laid a ruler along the side from spine to edge and I can see no daylight between the ruler and the blade.

The most unusual feature however are the three holes drilled into the blade along the spine. The seller told me that he had been told the razor might possibly have been made from a harpoon blade like on a whaling ship and that the holes would have been used to lash the blade to the pole. This might have been a tall tale thrown in to pique my interest or the seller might have honestly believed it himself, I don't know.

I will say that the material for the scales is definitely a type of ivory however the grain doesn't look like most of my other ivory scaled razors (which should be the typical elephant ivory). The grain of the ivory appears to be tighter and parts of it have taken on a more brownish color rather than the usual white or golden yellow. I wonder if the ivory might be walrus tusk, perhaps lending some credence to the harpoon blade story? Also the scales have been scrimshawed (though I can't make heads nor tails of the intended design) and weren't sailors known for scrimshawing items to pass the time on long voyages at sea?

If anyone has info on a maker of razors named "Stierlin" or any other explanation for the holes along the spine I would be glad to hear it. You can find more and higher resolution photos at this online photo album.