Thread: John C. Cockhill jimps on 1 side of spine

A bit ago I posted a Joseph Allen with jimps on the toe of the spine. I came across this John Cockhill with jimps on the spine but only on the show side. I wonder why just one side. Decoration? Cost cutting? Poor quality control? Anyway an interesting razor 6/8 wedge with an arris spine and narrow at .170. Makes for a stiff light blade. Went with a crocus type finish and I chose bone for the scales as the original horn were too delaminated to save. They are .090 thick with a black horn wedge and brass pins and washers.
Scienceguy you posted a razor with jimps in the same place. Did the blade have jimps on both sides?

Originally Posted by karlej

A bit ago I posted a Joseph Allen with jimps on the toe of the spine. I came across this John Cockhill with jimps on the spine but only on the show side. I wonder why just one side. Decoration? Cost cutting? Poor quality control?

Obviously made on a Friday right close to quitting time ..........

Kidding aside, artistic license maybe ? Looks cool, and those Sheffield guys did a lot of unusual grinds/styles back then. Probably trying to catch a certain segment of the market.

Anyway, nice razor and beautiful restore.

You see alot more decoration on the show side of many older razors. I think they did that since it seems more people only shaved with one hand and usually the right and with the decorations on the show side it would be seen in the mirror where if it was on the other side it wouldn't. Plus if someone was to display it more than likely only one side would be seen. That is my theory atleast.

Another nice razor, karlej!

I have watched an experienced barber (in a video) placing one of their fingers on razor's spine while shaving a customer so the jimps could be functional.

Interesting find, and a great job on the restore!

And another nice keeper. You did not give the shave report. A typical Sheffield wedge I suspect, which is often on the top of my list of great shavers. The bone scales were a nice switch up.

I agree. I place my pinkie in tang, but hold the blade with thumb and finger at spine much like a chefs knife. I find it gives better control especially on larger blade.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Obviously made on a Friday right close to quitting time ..........

Kidding aside, artistic license maybe ? Looks cool, and those Sheffield guys did a lot of unusual grinds/styles back then. Probably trying to catch a certain segment of the market.

Anyway, nice razor and beautiful restore.

Jimmy, when I worked for a Harley dealership & we found a factory screwup, we said it was either made on a Friday right before quitting time or on a Monday when employees came in hungover from the weekend!

Originally Posted by RezDog

And another nice keeper. You did not give the shave report. A typical Sheffield wedge I suspect, which is often on the top of my list of great shavers. The bone scales were a nice switch up.

Leatherstockiings sent me a link to a barber shaving a customer. How he held the razor up on the spine was most interesting. Not having shaved anyone else I never thought how differently a barber holds a razor. I think it is very possible the jimps on this razor were put there with a barber's use in mind.
First shave with this razor was a little harsh. Another example of a blade that passes the HHT all along the blade but is just not a comfortable shave. I went back to the hones and killed the edge and worked up from a Naniwa 5k, 8k, 12k to CrOx on felt and then stropped on kangaroo leather. The second shave was a nice smooth Sheffield shave.

Great find and lovely restore.