Thread: H. G. Long & Co, Sheffield probably ivory scales and a few questions

Ok! I'll buy mineral oil. Thanks

Originally Posted by cthulhu

Thanks for enlightening me on those pipe cleaners. I don't smoke so that territory is very foreign to me.

Manufacturer's name is written in two lines exactly:
H. G. LONG & Co.
SHEFFIELD
So could you guess what period of time that name indicate?

It happens I have a bottle of camelia oil at home, can I use this oil instead of mineral on scales?

Another good tip about not soaking them in water.

Many thanks guys

I'll wait a little more before do anything with this nice item as I want to restore it right.

As long as it says Sheffield only & not Sheffield, England then it is a pre 1891 straight razor. I don't know the exact date of the razor but I would guess between 1850-1890, somewhere's in that time frame but a short partnership with with John Brown ended in 1832 & by 1834 Wragg, Long & Co was the firms name. (Wragg died in 1841) When he brought his son Charles Gervis Long & George Hawksley aboard they were known as Long, Son & Hawksley until 1849. Long, Hawksley & Marples was then established in 1852. Charles Long then became a merchant in Sheffield, London & Paris but by 1854 they were unable to pay debts & in 1862 Charlses London partnership (Long, Heyn & Co) was no longer. Long died in 1853 & Marples died in 1866 so George Hawksley continues the firm until for over thirty years as Long, Hawksley & Co. George Hawksley died in 1869 & Henry Biggin next ran the business & retired in 1890 & died in 1905 but in 1890 Henry's brother had become a partner & Francis Cockayne joined him. In 1901 the firm H.G. Long became Ltd. & the directors included Maurice Craven, Joseph Allen (of Allen & Sons). The corporate mark consisting off a shield & two crossed daggers which was granted back in 1833. The company was liquidated in 1911 & restructured by Joseph Allen & in the 1920's H.G.Long was listed at Bridge Street. After that, the address remained until 1959 when Ecclewall Works was at the same location as Joseph Allen & Jonathan Crookes.
It's hard to say when that razor was made because the directories, dating & such might not always be 100% accurate which is why I said sometime between 1850-1890

Well, to be contrarian, museum types and conservators usually recommend vegetable oils for hydrating ivory. So, there's that....

Here are a couple links on the care and cleaning of ivory: the Smithsonian and the Center for Maritime Archaeology and Conservation.

There's also Cane Quest, a site dedicated to walking canes, which suggests that both vegetable oil and mineral oil can used for hydrating ivory.

It says Sheffield only.

Thank you again for very detailed answer. Very interesting piece of history comes with this little razor.
Do you mind sharing source of all that informations.

Originally Posted by Hanlon

Well, to be contrarian, museum types and conservators usually recommend vegetable oils for hydrating ivory. So, there's that....

Here are a couple links on the care and cleaning of ivory: the Smithsonian and the Center for Maritime Archaeology and Conservation.

There's also Cane Quest, a site dedicated to walking canes, which suggests that both vegetable oil and mineral oil can used for hydrating ivory.

Hmmm I didn't buy mineral oil yet
Maybe intuition told me to wait a little bit.

But beeing serious I'll have a look at these links too and after reading a bit more I'll make a decision.

Originally Posted by cthulhu

It says Sheffield only.

Thank you again for very detailed answer. Very interesting piece of history comes with this little razor.
Do you mind sharing source of all that informations.

Tweedale's Directory of Cutlery Manufacturers

I have a M&K Heljestrand with a tight crack at the wedge (ivory scales) that I've had for 30 years. Semichrome, Flitz, Wenol, among other metal polishes will do for some of the rust/patina. Sometimes leaving well enough alone is a better path to take ....... IMHO ....... YMMV

Nice razor !

Pipe Cleaners....this is what you're looking for...might be in the craft section of the drug store or near the pipe tobacco in a shop: Amazon.com: 1 Bundle ZEN Pipe Cleaners Hard Bristle - 44 Count: Everything Else

Originally Posted by ScienceGuy

That's not a probably. Nice ivory scales. Cracks can often be stabilized with cyanoacrylate (super glue). The thin stuff works well, it can be capillary flowed into the crack, and bonds quite nicely with the ivory.

Only if you can run it thru an ulrasonic cleaner.you have a 100 yrs of Dust, dirt, oils and shaving soap in that crack.
CA may work but all has to be perfecatlly clean.

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Only if you can run it thru an ulrasonic cleaner.you have a 100 yrs of Dust, dirt, oils and shaving soap in that crack.
CA may work but all has to be perfecatlly clean.

I agree with that!