Thread: Couple of newer acquisitions

A month or so ago I picked up 3 razors from a local guy. The guy was an ex-antique dealer who knew little to nothing about the razors he had. He did all his research from ebay and figured that the "name" made the razor either expensive or inexpensive (he had another 5 razors (W&B, Frederick Reynolds, Boker) that were good restore candidates but not worth the $200 he was asking). Lucky for me, he couldn't find any ebay listings on the three I bought from him - thinking they were "junk" I got them for very little $$!

They are, from top to bottom:

7/8 Turner & Co wedge - horn (or bone??) scales, a lead spacer
5/8 Clauss Magnetic hollow w/ Toronto, Ont stamping - with exception of some discolouration on the blade, this razor is in fantastic condition ... just have to get around to honing it.
4/8 Hudsor with incorrect and beat all to hell scales - blade is in good condition and only needs a polish and new scales.



I've honed up the Turner and have got some great shaves from it. The scales were in rough shape with bends / bows, and multiple splits and cracks. I wanted to try to save the scales so disassembled, boiled, flattened as best they could. I used some CA on the cracks and epoxied a brass liner. Blade doesn't center so need to be cautious when closing.

Couple things I learned in the process: I went with a 0.16 mm brass sheet - next time I will go with thinner. I found the thickness I used is making for difficult flexing of the scales. I would spend more time getting the warps out of the scales to have the brass bond more even. I haven't ruined the scales but don't think I did them any good.

I haven't permanently pinned yet but rather went with micro fasteners for the time being. Still not sure if I am going to keep the original scales or make new one.

Before (only the one before shot ... camera died on me)



After

cpl more of the Turner:

You've grabbed a few nice one's there. the Turner looks good, & it's a nice hefty wedge. I like the patina, but once you've decided what you're doing, it'll look even better pinned!

It is a very hefty blade (heaviest I own to date). I knocked the worst of the rust off with 800 grit, gave it a quick go-over with 1500 grit, polished it with Maas, and called it a day. I rather like the imperfections.

Some nice blades there! I'm quite jealous.

Wish some of my local antique dealers delt in straights.

Thanks for the pics of your fine Thomas Turner. It has more of an "axe" wedge profile than most. I will bet it turns out to be a very smooth shaver. Here is some info from Goins' that I looked up:

THOMAS TURNER & CO. SHEFFIELD ENGLAND c 1802-1953
This company was established in Sheffield England, about 1802. The firm moved into a factory on Norfolk Street in the 1830's. A new factory, the Suffolk, was built in 1834. About 1869, Turner purchased Joseph Haywood, also in Sheffield.This company manufactured "Bowie" type knives, among other kinds of cutlery.