It arrived last night: my old Smith (1770-1785) freshly restored with ebony scales and jasper spacer à la JoshEarl. (Thank you, Josh!) As I told him last night, I can't stop touching it. I feel like any second my mother's going to burst into the room and tell me if I don't stop playing with it I'll go blind!
And I'm almost afraid to use it. (Almost.) It's so beautiful!
But after I post this message, it's off to the lather bowl.
(UPDATE: Oh my God! That was the best shave of my life! Wow! What was it, I wonder? I’ve used a wedge before. I’ve tried framebacks too. Never any luck. I finally took Glen’s (gssixgun’s) advice and tried one of the American-made full hollows. I’ve been using one ever since with consistently good shaves. But this Smith shave was fantastic! Now, I haven’t used a wedge in a long while. Maybe my technique improved since the last time. I’m sure it has. But I think the improvement has more to do with the wicked sharpness of the Smith. Josh Earl did a wonderful job of making this extra Samurai sharp! Wow! It’s butter smooth! This razor is definitely my favorite razor of all time!)
Enjoy the photos!
GEORGE SMITH & SONS
Peacroft, Sheffield
Trademark: Cross and "Smith"
1770-1785 ("Old Sheffield Razors" by Lummus. Antiques, December 1922 p.261-267)
Thanks,
Christopher