Thread: "NON-XLL" won on eBay, last night

VINTAGE, ENGLISH, HORN CASED, "NON~XLL" JOSEPH ALLEN & SONS, STRAIGHT RAZOR | eBay

Am I right in thinking this dates to around about 1890?

Also, going off the photos, can anyone identify the scales material? They *look* like wood, but I can't be sure. Obviously I'll be in more of a chance of figuring that out when I get the razor. If they are wood though, what would be needed to give the scales a bit more life?

Originally Posted by Deegee

VINTAGE, ENGLISH, HORN CASED, "NON~XLL" JOSEPH ALLEN & SONS, STRAIGHT RAZOR | eBay

Am I right in thinking this dates to around about 1890?

Also, going off the photos, can anyone identify the scales material? They *look* like wood, but I can't be sure. Obviously I'll be in more of a chance of figuring that out when I get the razor. If they are wood though, what would be needed to give the scales a bit more life?

In a word *Oil*

Congratulations on your razor! The scales appear to be horn, most likely water buffalo. They will respond well to soaking in neatsfoot oil. The presence of 'England' on the tang stamp indicates post-1891; my guess would be early 20th century, likely pre-Great War.

Originally Posted by sqzbxr

The presence of 'England' on the tang stamp indicates post-1891; my guess would be early 20th century, likely pre-Great War.

Hmm... well, at least it's still over 100 years old.

I would guess it at 1900-1910 Be gentle with the cleaning so you dont damage the sweet etching. Its looks shallow. I would not use any buffing wheels, just some metal polish and a soft cloth.

Neatsfoot oil will be good for the scales. If you want to darken the color I have been used everything and anything to do it. Even running a black Sharpie marker over the scales. Plenty of info in the workshop section here. But do that before you oil it so it absorbs better.

Aged somewhere between 1891 & 1921.

Originally Posted by Magpie

I would guess it at 1900-1910 Be gentle with the cleaning so you dont damage the sweet etching. Its looks shallow. I would not use any buffing wheels, just some metal polish and a soft cloth.

I'll keep that in mind, thanks. I'm a bit reluctant to use the old Brasso on blades though, having seen what that stuff can do.

I and many others use Mothers Mag Wheel polish that you can pick up in your local auto store. There is also MAAS and Flitz which are similar. Any of these will take the gold right off a gold etch, but are fairly gentle on the metal itself.

Cool blade and I like the coffin very much as well. Does the coffin have any other markings other than the stylized sunburst symbols?

Originally Posted by antique hoosier

Cool blade and I like the coffin very much as well. Does the coffin have any other markings other than the stylized sunburst symbols?

I've no idea; the razor hasn't been delivered yet.