Thread: N&R Dodge Sheffield razor

Hello gents, I bought this old Sheffield Wedge on bay for a very good price. I bought it for just curiosity, it seems it made 1850s or so in Sheffield. I couldn't find much info about the brand but it's a Sheffield wedge, how bad it can be right What do you think about this razor? How can I clean the scales, I will soak the blade in barbicide, but scales are probably horn and it's not wise to soak the scales in barbicide I think. Do you have any recommendation or any trick for honing this old blade?
Thank you all.

I doubt if you really need Barbicide. An alcohol rub should be sufficient.

Soak the scales in pure Neatsfoot Oil. I use Fiebings which says it is 100% pure. Then use some sanding sponges starting at about 3000 grit or so. Soak it again and hand rub with a cotton cloth to bring out the shine.

Assuming you do not want to unpin the scales, clean the blade with Maas.

To hone, I would start with a double layer of tape on the spine. Since it has a bit of a smile, add a third layer, one tape width wide, over the heel and toe. See how that goes.

Good luck. Let us see the results.

Originally Posted by rolodave

I doubt if you really need Barbicide. An alcohol rub should be sufficient.

Soak the scales in pure Neatsfoot Oil. I use Fiebings which says it is 100% pure. Then use some sanding sponges starting at about 3000 grit or so. Soak it again and hand rub with a cotton cloth to bring out the shine.

Assuming you do not want to unpin the scales, clean the blade with Maas.

To hone, I would start with a double layer of tape on the spine. Since it has a bit of a smile, add a third layer, one tape width wide, over the heel and toe. See how that goes.

Good luck. Let us see the results.

Thank you for your answer rolodave, I won't unpin the scales yes you are right. I don't have enough neatsfoot oil to soak, I only have enough to rub. Unfortunately, I can't find more in my country. Shall I clean the scales with dishsoap and dish brush and then rub with neatsfoot oil and clothes ? Does it work? Thanks for honing tip, I will try as you said.

My horn "soaking" is done with a Q-tip and pipe cleaner. I just keep rubbing on new oil a couple of times per day until I get tired of doing it. I would keep water and soap away from the blade especially around the pivot. That is just me.

I have found pipe cleaners with little bits of plastic in the weave work well for cleaning inside the scales near the wedge and pivot. You can also use a small (very small) bristle brush for cleaning inside the scales.

I cleaned the blade and scales with dish soap and and toothbrush(they are all I've got right now) then polished with a polisher, lastly rubbed with alcohol. I hand sanded the scales with 600/800/1000 grit w/d sandpaper, after that I applied neatsfoot oil to the scales couple times with Q-tips for two days. I honed it with one layer of tape because I like to see wider bevel on antique razors I mostly used rolling X strokes and some heel forward x strokes on my Naniwa set up to 12K. On the heel, there is 1/4 inches area that was not easy to get exactly where I want but it is quite acceptable for now. Today's shave with this oldie was very smooth and close, I like these antique razors, may be some of us find them not beautiful as new ones but they have history right

Thanks for help.