11/8 ROME stubtail

Couldn't pass this one up as a new collection centerpiece. It is marked ROME with a maltese cross, which I assume corresponds to Stephen Fox. Good information on this branch of cutlers from Fikira at https://historyrazors.wordpress.com/...norris-p-more/. I have no idea how to peg a date for this but it's 18th century for sure, I'll say mid-18th to be safe. This thing is absolutely massive sitting between 11/8 and 12/8. To highlight this, the last few pictures are next to a 17/16 Celebrated FBU for comparison. Still have a lot of open questions on this one.

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words fail me.......

Wonderful
Love it.

Always a joy seeing such an old razor with scales also in good condition

Wow...looks like it's eating the W&B for lunch.
Very cool... Congratulations!

Pete <:-}

That is the coolest razor I have seen for a very long time. Collection center piece is putting it lightly.

so, was that some sort of advertising piece? Or for actual use?

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Originally Posted by tintin

so, was that some sort of advertising piece? Or for actual use?

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Maybe for shaving a horse

Whoa! Awesome!

So you are the one who overbid me... I was hoping it was someone from the forum, and at least it was now in good hands :)
Absolutely awesome razor!

Now that is an impressive razor. Thanks for sharing it with some history.

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Originally Posted by dimab

So you are the one who overbid me... I was hoping it was someone from the forum, and at least it was now in good hands :)
Absolutely awesome razor!

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I was also hoping it would go to SRP if I didn't get it. Double-edged sword, that there are a lot of ebay hawks around here ;)

That is a beast of a razor. The gentleman who originally used it must have been a giant.

Congratulations on a one of a kind acquisition.

Never saw a listing for anything like that. That is a lot of steel. And those collars are really nice too.

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Originally Posted by ScienceGuy

I was also hoping it would go to SRP if I didn't get it. Double-edged sword, that there are a lot of ebay hawks around here ;)

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Yeah... sorry for bumping the price for you, but if you ever want to let it go - keep me in mind :D

I wonder if it was used by the Pope of the era?

Damn boy! That's a whole lot of razor. You could probably recoup your money in scrap metal fee with that jumbo-sized thing.

Where am I when these things are on sale?

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Originally Posted by DZEC

That is a beast of a razor. The gentleman who originally used it must have been a giant.

Congratulations on a one of a kind acquisition.

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Yup that belonged to André
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Not used to seeing anything at that age that even approaches that size. Very interesting, thank you sharing.

I can pretty easily talk myself into believing that a certain class of these Brobdingnagian razors were, in fact, made for custom for very tall men.

But there's also the tradition of calling extra large razors 'Dutch' something or other... So it may have just been a style thing.

That said, the stamp in the middle of the blade on this one makes me think it's earlier than later.

So how does it shave:D

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Originally Posted by rideon66

So how does it shave:D

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Good question :)

Need to do some work on it before that's possible. It's a bit in the backlog.

I had almost forgotten about this post. Please keep us updated on your progress. At least I can salivate vicariously.

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Originally Posted by ScienceGuy

Couldn't pass this one up as a new collection centerpiece. It is marked ROME with a maltese cross, which I assume corresponds to Stephen Fox. Good information on this branch of cutlers from Fikira at https://historyrazors.wordpress.com/...norris-p-more/. I have no idea how to peg a date for this but it's 18th century for sure, I'll say mid-18th to be safe. This thing is absolutely massive sitting between 11/8 and 12/8. To highlight this, the last few pictures are next to a 17/16 Celebrated FBU for comparison. Still have a lot of open questions on this one.

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I have an interesting observation on the scales. Why do you think there are those rounded sections on both scales by the pivot area? Looks to be on purpose.

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Originally Posted by rideon66

I have an interesting observation on the scales. Why do you think there are those rounded sections on both scales by the pivot area? Looks to be on purpose.

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I think it was modified for some reason long ago. Those divots show the translucent horn color; the scales are usually a brown/translucent horn and dyed black on the outside (with nasty chemicals). Since the rest of the scales are black, those areas likely were not original. Why they're there, I have no idea though.

WOW, what a beast!!!!!!!!!

I seriously need this in my collection.

holly molly :dropjaw:

I must have been in a blue funk when that beautiful razor came available. I am a gullible buyer when it comes to razors of that age even though I've stopped actively buying. The few that I have from that era are damn good shavers.