Joseph Allen with jimps on the toe of the spine?

Recently acquired. A little 6/8 near wedge with hone scales and a lead wedge that will clean up nicely. I have never seen a vintage razor with jimps on the toe of the spine. Could be I've just led a sheltered life. It doesn't make sense to me that they were just decorative. I watched a video some time back of a gent shaving his neck south to north holding the razor in two hands. By the toe and the tang. First time I'd ever seen someone shave like that. Could it be that this was a common enough way to hold a razor back in the day and so they cut jimps in the toe? :thinking: I was a little worried about how it would strop but the file cuts are just far enough back from the edge of the spine that they do not abraid the leather.
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Nice looking razor! I agree the jimps were probably not strictly decorative. I wonder if it could have been for opening the razor in conjunction with the barber notch.:shrug:

Used to quickly Sweeny Todd someone!

Probably right, for ease of opening.

These were likely just decorative. See attached photos for some other examples (these are not mine).

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I wonder if the ones at the toe were added after since they are heavier on one side

Interesting looking razors scienceguy, but I wouldn't let them near my strop! Karlej- that is a nice find that razor will clean up beautifully:)

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Originally Posted by nicknbleeding

I wonder if the ones at the toe were added after since they are heavier on one side

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I don't think so. It is a fairly mid-quality razor despite the decorations so I wouldn't be surprised if the details were given less attention to quality. It's also got a gold-washed etching on the spine, so I have a feeling it was just made with some quick fancy details to give it a more elevated look.

Edit: you also see this same type of groove along the spine coupled with perpendicular cuttings in other razors. e.g. http://straightrazorpalace.com/show-...rca-1840s.html

Really? I didn't notice gold wash

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nicknbleeding

Really? I didn't notice gold wash

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It's quite faint. I just know because I am part of the chain of owners in this razor's life ;)

Very nice find although I think there may have been a reason for it like a barbers notch. It may have been there for holding the blade at the toe for easier shaving around the ears & for the mustache. That's just my opinion........